Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. News

Netflix debuts terrifying trailer for Stephen King adaptation ‘Gerald’s Game’

Add as a preferred source on Google

Acclaimed novelist Stephen King is having his work adapted all over the place these days, from the big screen to television — and that includes streaming content provider Netflix, too. The service debuted the first trailer for Gerald’s Game this week, and it teases yet another scary story from one of the great masters of suspense.

Based on the 1992 novel of the same name, Gerald’s Game casts Carla Gugino (WatchmenNight at the Museum) and Bruce Greenwood (American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson, Star Trek) as a couple hoping to rekindle their relationship with a romantic trip to their secluded summer home. Things take a dark turn, however, when Gerald (Greenwood) has a heart attack while the couple are engaging in a bit of role play, leaving Jessie (Gugino) handcuffed to the bed. Now trapped and far from anyone who could possibly hear her cries for help, Jessie must deal with both her terrifying predicament and her crumbling sanity as she struggles to free herself.

Recommended Videos

The film is directed by critically praised Hush and Oculus director Mike Flanagan, who also earned accolades for his recent prequel film, Ouija: Origin of Evil. The script for the film was co-written by Flanagan and his Oculus collaborator Jeff Howard (I Know What You Did Last Summer).

Along with Gugino and Greenwood, the film’s cast also includes E.T. The Extraterrestrial actor Henry Thomas, as well as Carel Struycken (Twin Peaks) Chiara Aurelia (Big Sky), and Kate Siegel (Hush).

Gerald’s Game is one of several stories penned by King to be adapted lately, with several more in various stages of development at the moment. Earlier this year, The Dark Tower premiered in theaters, and the first of a two-part adaptation of his horror novel It hits theaters this week. On the television side, a series based on The Mist premiered in June on Spike TV, and a series based on Mr. Mercedes began airing in August on the Audience network. Castle Rock, an upcoming series that will weave various elements of King’s stories together, is also being developed now for Hulu.

Gerald’s Game is scheduled to premiere September 29 on Netflix.

Rick Marshall
Former Contributing Editor, Entertainment
A veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience covering local and national news, arts and entertainment, and…
Letterboxd could find a new home at Netflix, but Sony is fighting for it, too
Netflix wants Letterboxd, but Hollywood isn't letting it go without a fight
Letterboxd

Letterboxd, the fast-growing social network for film lovers, could soon have a new owner. According to a report by Puck News, the New Zealand-based platform has been exploring a potential sale, attracting interest from several major entertainment companies, including Netflix, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Paramount Skydance.

While no deal has been confirmed, the discussions highlight how valuable online fan communities have become as streaming platforms compete not just for viewers, but also for the audiences that influence what people watch next.

Read more
Disney+ is exploring a free tier to fight back against YouTube’s growing TV dominance
Disney is eyeing a free tier as YouTube keeps stealing its TV audience
The Disney+ app on a TV screen while blue lights illuminate the wall behind.

Watching Disney+ without paying for a subscription could eventually become an option. According to Business Insider, Disney is considering a free tier that would let people watch some content without a paywall.

The idea is still in the early stages, with no timeline or launch details, but it reflects a growing challenge. YouTube and other free, ad-supported platforms like Tubi and Roku are attracting more TV viewers, forcing streaming services to rethink how they compete.

Read more
Netflix is worried people aren’t watching enough so its next move could change the app forever
Netflix's next big update could look a lot more like cable TV
Netflix on TV couple watching

Netflix has spent years telling the entertainment industry that binge-worthy originals and a simple user experience were enough to stay ahead. That strategy helped make it the world's biggest streaming service. But according to a Wall Street Journal report, the company is increasingly concerned about a different metric: engagement.

While Netflix continues to post healthy profits and retains one of the lowest subscriber cancellation rates in the industry, executives are reportedly seeing early signs that people are spending less time watching content. That matters because engagement - not just subscriber numbers - has become one of the biggest indicators of whether customers will stick around, watch ads, and continue paying for the service.

Read more