Rating: 4/5 stars

Riding the recent wave of success from Stephen King adaptations, “1922” comes at a perfect time. This Netflix original was released only a couple of weeks after “Gerald’s Game,” another King story brought to life on screen. “Gerald’s Game” was a success, both with fans of King’s work and the critics. In September, the second adaptation of “IT” became the highest-grossing horror title of all time at the domestic box office. Not to mention, the TV version of “Mr. Mercedes” recently finished its first season, “The Dark Tower” attempted to launch its own franchise, and the dozens of other projects that are in the pre-production stage. It seems as if King is finally getting the adaptations he deserves.

“1922” is a novella included in his collection “Full Dark, No Stars” from 2010. This is Zak Hilditch’s (“These Final Hours”) biggest project to date. Therefore, all eyes are on the writer-director, but with ease, it seems as if Hilditch has knocked it out of the park. He has crafted a slow-burning, tension-fueled horror movie that feels more like a piece of criminal history than anything else.

The film focuses on the murder of Arlette James (Molly Parker, “Small Crimes”) just as she is preparing to sell her farm for a large cash sum and move her family to the city of Omaha. Her husband, Wilfred James (Thomas Jane, “Before I Wake”) and their son Henry (Dylan Schmid, “Shut Eye”) have no intentions of leaving their farm and the life they have come to know so well. Wilfred and Henry collude and murder Arlette together, a decision they both have strange feelings about and one that forever changes the course of their lives.

Wilfred supplements the story with narration. He is writing a letter from a hotel room in 1930, where he confesses to everything he had done and adds more crude and grueling details about their cover-up and lives afterward.

Besides the delicate pacing and captivating cinematography, the performances really bring this tale to life. Jane is perfect as the grumbling, mumbling corn farmer. He gives off subtle looks and a particular delivery of his lines that make the audience almost feel bad for him, but it is Schmid’s performance as the son that is the key piece to getting the whole film moving. His life is forever ruined after helping his dad murder his mom, and the pain he feels after this is also felt by viewers. Parker’s portrayal of the mother is also interesting, as she does not seem like a great person, but she also does not deserve what happens to her. She has moments of pure evil, where the audience wants to root for the two about to take her out of their lives. It is all a very complex and interweaving family relationship.

“1922” sneaks up and packs a punch. It feels as much like a Stephen King story as it feels like its own thing, which Hilditch executed in distinct and powerful fashion.

Photo: Netflix via YouTube.com