THE OUTSIDER May Be King's Best Cinematic Adaptation, and Here's Why

That's a hefty and ambitious claim. After all, we've seen (and we'll be seeing even more soon) quite a few of those adaptations already: IT, PET SEMATARY, soon we'll be seeing 'SALEM'S LOT, there was GERALD'S GAME on Netflix, 11/22/63 on Hulu, the UNDER THE DOME series. The list goes on and on -- a veritable best hits of the master of horror for years and years akin to some of the most genre-focused works he's ever done.

But the Claim Is Clear: THE OUTSIDER May Rank as the Very Best

But why?

Let's not even consider that HBO will be the platform, still fresh off the fire of a little show called Game of Thrones. Forget the fact that we even have something like CASTLE ROCK still going strong on Hulu and MR. MERCEDES knocking on your door as well. But if this synopsis of what THE OUTSIDER is all about doesn't get you, we don't know what will:

An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories. An eleven-year-old boy's violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City's most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad. As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King's propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.

Pretty Gripping, We'd Say -- and If You Read the Novel, You'd Agree -- But Here's the REAL Reason This Will Be the Best Adaptation Ever

The real reason is Stephen King himself:

"THE OUTSIDER is one of the best adaptations of my work. Hope you'll watch it."

That's definitive. Just being one of the best may herald it as the best. We shall see. It is, after all, HBO and King joining forces. Expect to see THE OUTSIDER mystery thriller miniseries to premiere on the Home Box Office on January 12, 2020.