Credit to Google
Stephen King has written so many novels that have been adapted into either a show or a movie. King’s one novel I feel is always overlooked is Rose Madder, a novel about a woman who escapes from an abuse marriage.
This story is so much more than a woman trying to regain the years she spent with a monster; it is a metaphor of just how powerful women can be.
Rose McClendon is determined to restart her life in a new place, where she can be herself again, without fear of her husband towering over her. Her husband tortures her for years, abusing his power as an authoritative figure to get away with his crimes against her.
To escape from his tyranny, she steals her husband’s bank card and picks a random city to begin her new life. She meets kind people who take her in and give her the start to gain the courage to move forward; she receives a job as a female audio voice for books, and even gets her own apartment. She also begins a cute romance with a stranger named Bill, who works at a pawn shop.
While trying to pawn off the unfortunate fake wedding ring her husband gave her, she discovers a mysterious painting called Rose Madder. The painting features a blonde woman, her back facing the viewer. She is wearing a red outfit showing too much skin, while analyzing what appears to be a ruined temple in the distance. Rose immediately purchases the painting for her new apartment, an item she can proudly call her own.
However, this painting it not what it seems. It had been waiting for Rose for an unknown period of time; to lead her into the world of the painting. It is where her evil twin is waiting, who will aid her in killing the man who ruined her life for so many years; the husband who is secretly hunting her down to take revenge for leaving him.
Credit to Google
Rose Madder is admittedly my favorite Stephen King novel of all time. Rose is a force to be reckoned with, she is a strong female lead, and probably King’s best. This novel has the potential to be one of the best King adaptations from book to the big screen. The uncanny visuals would give the film an eerie feeling, as the audience can experience confusion and fear along with Rose’s character.
Viewers will have the time of their lives with Rose’s journey to a powerful woman who is able to face her evil twin and the real world she is now swept in; to gain her courage to be able to face a monster that took advantage of her kind soul. Rose can be an aspiring character for all the fans of Rose Madder, providing a great example of how you can overcome your fears, and gain the confidence you need to take on anything that life throws at you; including a supernatural painting that will teleport you to another world.
However, I don’t think the majority of people would be able to handle such a huge change in their lives! Being able to walk through a painting that you bought at a pawn shop would probably make people lose their minds…
I think Bryan Fuller would be the perfect candidate to bring this masterpiece to life! His work on Hannibal and the first season of American Gods was spectacular, I can’t imagine the insanity that he would come up with for Rose’s character to endure on her mission of moving on and murdering her monster like husband that resembles a bull! (Stephen King’s description of him in the book, not mine).
Rose Madder is a masterpiece, and it deserves its own horror movie. One that Stephen King would be honored to gain an adaptation!
Thank you for reading!
Emy Quinn
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