Stephen King Names The Best Horror Film Of The 21st Century

Stephen Kingis one of the most influential names in horror, so when he praises a horror movie, it is certainly worth paying attention to. King’s horror novels have helped shape the genre in modern pop culture, cementing him as one of the most prolific and successful authors in the genre.

With the success of his novels, there have also been plenty of Stephen King adaptations. Certainly, these movies range in quality, and there are some cases in which King has hated the adaptations of his work. However, with the likes of The Shining, Carrie, and It becoming classics, his name means a lot to horror movies as well as books.

As much acclaim as King’s own work has gotten, the author has been enthusiastic about highlighting the horror movies that have impressed him. This has also included him naming more recent horror movies, including one title that not many horror fans may be aware of.

Stephen King Called The Rule Of Jenny Pen The Best Horror Movie Since 2000

King Highlighted The Little-Seen Horror Movie As One Of The Best Movies Of The Last 25 Years

Stephen King recently participated in the industry-led poll that named the New York Times’ 100 best movies of the 21st century. King was among a collection of artists, including actors and filmmakers, who offered their opinions on the best movies of the last 25 years. Among King’s choices was the underseen horror movie The Rule of Jenny Pen (via The New York Times).

The Rule of Jenny Pen is an eerie horror movie that stars Geoffrey Rush as a former judge who is reluctantly sent to a nursing home to recover. While there, he discovers that the seemingly bumbling fellow resident (John Lithgow) secretly rules the home through torment, all led by his ever-present hand puppet.

The Rule of Jenny Pen earned solid reviews, with a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it is still surprising that King named it the best horror movie of the 21st century. It stands out in his selections, which include No Country for Old Men, Brokeback Mountain, and Children of Men, all movies that did make the top 100.

The movie didn’t receive a lot of attention elsewhere, but it is a movie that matches King’s tastes. Though they can go to supernatural places, many of King’s stories start with a relatable fear. The Rule of Jenny Pen tackles aging and the fear of not being able to care for yourself, building atmospheric horror and dread to great effect.

The Only Other Horror Movie King Mentioned Was Train To Busan

King Was Also A Fans Of The Korean Zombie Movie Hit

Stephen King’s choices for the best movies of the 21st century show his interests beyond horror, including the selection of Ridley Scott’s war movie Black Hawk Down and Clint Eastwood’s sports drama Million Dollar Baby. However, he did choose one other horror title besides The Rule of Jenny Pen with Train to Busan.

The South Korean zombie movie is a much more popular title, earning international success and revitalizing the zombie genre. Train to Busan follows various characters aboard a speeding train as a zombie outbreak spreads through the passengers, while also turning the outside world into chaos. Together, they fight to survive and hopefully arrive somewhere safe.

King’s selection of Train to Busan shows his eclectic taste in horror movies, as it could not be more different from The Rule of Jenny Pen. Train to Busan is a fast-paced, gory, and exciting horror blockbuster that belongs just as much in the action thriller genre.

Typically, King’s horror stories don’t rely on big action set pieces like those in Train to Busan. However, the way the zombie movie takes such a familiar horror subgenre and proves there is still fun to be had in it is impressive. Even without his love of horror, the entertainment of Train to Busan makes it a worthy favorite for Stephen King.