10 Worst Stephen King Film Adaptations
4. Thinner
This one has a few saving graces. It manages to have a kind of humour in its failings and there is enjoyment to be had in the schlock on screen. Joe Mantegna is always watchable and the film has entered the zeitgeist of popular culture for its campy moments.
It's also dreadful, appearing to be made on a shoestring budget. The make up and effects barely resemble humans (see image above) and the only sense of menace comes from this terrible person's weight loss, something they said they wanted themselves. The old gypsy man is a hoot, clearly having fun with the role. Mantegna is great in the role of mafia enforcer on lead character Billy's behalf but there is more enjoyment to be had in imagining Fat Tony himself carrying out the deeds depicted.
It's low budget, it's dull and it's one of the more forgettable adaptations. It does feature a cameo from Stephen King which is always enjoyable and the ending is nicely twisted but other than that, it's a distinct middle-of-the-road film that should have been consigned to the discount bin in the video store before ever appearing anyone's radar.