Needful Things (1993)

[7]

In this adaptation of Stephen King’s book, a mysterious shop opens in a coastal town where customers can buy anything they desire — but at a cost far higher than they realize. When the sheriff (Ed Harris) realizes the shop owner (Max von Sydow) accepts horrible ‘favors’ in lieu of cash, he starts to understand why his once peaceful town suddenly has a rising body count.

Needful Things benefits from King’s knack for fun characters, with Von Sydow playing the Devil incarnate with elegant aplomb and veteran character actor J.T. Walsh (Sling Blade, Breakdown) turning in one of his best performances as one of the town’s most volatile hot-heads. The magnificent cast also includes Bonnie Bedelia (Die Hard) as a woman afflicted with crippling arthritis and Amanda Plummer (The Fisher King) as a mousy housekeeper driven to homicidal rage through Von Sydow’s manipulation.

The film isn’t as gory or visceral as you might expect from its supernatural premise. Like many King stories, the ending may feel abrupt and a tad anti-climactic. But even if it’s not King’s most riveting of yarns, Needful Things is very well crafted and cast, with Von Sydow’s performance adding enough luster to recommend it.

Trivia: Director Fraser C. Heston is the son of Charlton Heston, and appeared as baby Moses in The Ten Commandments.