OneStephen King adaptation may have flown under the radar, but that doesn’t negate its fascinating premise. Adapted for Apple TV+, Lisey’s Story follows the recently widowed Lisa Landon (Julianne Moore), who still mourns the loss of her author husband, Scott (Clive Owen). Unlike many of the author protagonists that King writes about, Lisey is on the outside looking into a world she was only tangentially a part of. Even more compelling, the series is about the love of a husband and wife that even outpaces death.
Lisey’s Story picks up when the titular character is still in the throes of her grief. She constantly dreams of her dead husband, who sends her on a treasure hunt of sorts called a “bool hunt.” Her mourning for her husband is interrupted by publishers who want Scott’s unpublished works and an unstable fan (Dane DeHaan) who believes Lisey is keeping her husband’s genius from the world.
This story is a reflection of King’s own experiences, who, after a bout of double pneumonia, considered what it would be like for his wife Tabitha if he died. King has often delved into the terrifying realities of real life, as seen in Pet Sematary and Misery, another depiction of horrifying fan culture. Lisey’s Story, on the other hand, also considers a more romantic narrative, something that is not always a focus in his books.
‘Lisey’s Story’ Is Worth It For the Performances
Lisey’s Story follows the source material admirably and is only further elevated by performances from Julianne Moore and Clive Owen. The two actors are used to playing a grief-stricken couple, following their roles in Alfonso Cuarón’sChildren of Men. The chemistry between the two actors is an easy one, and it is not hard to believe that they have been married for decades. The relationship is a driving part of the miniseries as Scott still finds a way to contact his wife.
As Lisey goes on the bool hunt, she discovers that Scott wasn’t just a talented author, but had the ability to go between worlds. Flashbacks into Scott’s childhood reveal that he and his family could travel to a strange other dimension. Scott used visions of the place to help write his books, but he also had more altruistic intentions. Lisey’s older sister, Amanda (Joan Allen), suffers from a form of dementia, and Scott used the waters of this other dimension, called Boo’ya Moon, to help calm her.
These fantastical elements are the glue that holds the entire story together. Some critics complained that the perceived slow pace of the series held Lisey’s Story back, which yielded a 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, but this is exactly what separates the series from other Stephen King adaptations. Lisey’s Story isn’t just about a terrifying villain — though there are those there. The series takes time to develop the relationships of the characters and establish the dream world that Scott visits to make a more emotional impact.
King was heavily involved in the creation of the series, which is perhaps why it feels so different from other adaptations. He knows his work better than anyone and developed the story of the series like chapters of his book. What is a slow pace for some may just be an investment in characters for others. Lisey’s Story deserves its time, made even more accessible to platform subscribers. All eight episodes are available to watch on Apple TV+.
