Oculus Director Has an Eye for Gerald’s Game

Oculus writer/director Mike Flanagan has signed on to direct the adaptation of Stephen King’s bestselling book, Gerald’s Game. Flanagan is well situated for such a role, as he had a hand in writing the script along with writing partner Jeff Howard. The film will be produced by Intrepid Pictures.

In a quote picked up by Deadline, Flanagan stated, “In the tradition of Misery and Dolores Claiborne, Gerald’s Game is one of the most intense and compelling novels I’ve ever read, and this has been a dream project for many years.”

The story follows Jessie, a wife who is trying to rekindle her sex life with her husband, Gerald, in a remote cabin. Having handcuffed Jessie to the bedpost, Gerald becomes a bit too forceful and, in an act of defiance, Jessie accidentally kills him. With no one to help and the keys to the handcuffs out of reach, Jessie must fight forces both without and within herself to survive. Whether it’s the ravenous stray dog, her own hallucinations brought on by thirst and starvation, or the apparition-like figure who may, or may not, be a real threat to her very existence -what started out as a game has become a fight for Jessie’s life and, perhaps, her very soul.

Flanagan seems uniquely qualified to bring this dark and foreboding story to screen, having previously directed Oculus and Absentia. As he sets his eye on Gerald’s Game we shall see where he takes us next.