The small town of Castle Rock and it's people have always been a close knit community. Friends and neighbors could always count on one another, and police chief Allan Pangborn very seldom had to deal with any disturbances. However the peace of Castle Rock is about to be broken when a new store called Needful Things opens up. As store owner Leland Gaunt begins to peddle his wares a dark cloud descends over Castle Rock. Can Chief Pangborn turn his town around or will Gaunt soon own all of the local residents in his dark trade?

Based off of one of Stephen King's better novels, Needful Things is a story that shows what can happen when you get what you want.

Max Von Sydow plays the demonic yet uber-friendly shop owner, and at times you can almost see his forked tongue. Ed Harris gives a great performance of King mainstay hero Allan Pangborn. Rounding out the cast is Bonnie Bedillia as arthritic Polly, Amanda Plummer plays the neurotic Nettie and J.T. Walsh plays the gambling obsessed Danforth Keaton III.

The plot is simple enough, people wander into Gaunt's store and find items that appeal to them in different ways. The trick is each item holds some mystical ability to grant the owner whatever they want, and like a junky they soon become addicted to the feelings of nostalgia or pleasure. For example, Danforth finds an old toy horse racetrack, after playing with the toy he is drawn into a world where he always wins and the sites and the sounds are real. For others it may be a jacket, pair of gloves or a baseball card. They should have added in a lady from the book that wanted a pair of sunglasses that belonged to Elvis, he he, read the book if ya wanna know what happens.

Gaunt takes no money for the items, but does ask for a favor at some time, that the customer must do for him. As Gaunt calls in his favors the town and it's people implode on themselves and mass chaos ensues.

I was a fan of the book and of the movie as well, there is also an extended edition of the film that goes into more detail and is better than the regular version. Although not high on gore there is ample violence and extreme creepiness. A solid film whether you have ever read the book or not.

7/10