Stephen King Calls This Horror Movie the Second Coming of ‘Psycho’ Brutal and Uncompromising

Stephen King is considered to be one of the most heard voices in the history of horror, yet some of his cinematic takes continue to raise eyebrows among genre purists. The legendary author stirred the pot by drawing a direct line between Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 masterpiece Psycho and the 2009 remake of The Last House on the Left.

While Hitchcock’s film is an undisputed classic that revolutionized the slasher subgenre, many critics argue that the modern remake King praised is little more than a high-budget exercise in graphic violence.

King did not hold back his admiration for the Dennis Iliadis-directed project, labeling it as “the best horror movie of the new century.” He went even further by describing the film as “the best horror redux in modern times,” a statement that places it above much more critically acclaimed reimaginings.

This high praise is particularly surprising given that King was notoriously critical of Wes Craven’s 1972 original version of the same story. King’s fascination with the film seems to stem from its raw, visceral nature and its portrayal of what he calls the “Homicidal Other.”

He argued that the 2009 version was “the most brutal and uncompromising film to play American movie theatres since Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer.” To King, both Psycho and this remake represent the pinnacle of the genre because they tap into a primal, deep-seated fear of encountering a random, lethal threat.

The author also defended the remake from its many detractors by suggesting that reviewers often lash out at films that successfully trigger deep psychological terror. “Last House, like Hitchcock’s great film about the Homicidal Other, does exactly that,” King explained, noting that even Psycho was initially met with negative reviews.

However, the comparison remains a stretch for most, as Hitchcock’s work relied on psychological tension and a famous “rug-pull” that removed its biggest star early on, whereas the remake leaned heavily into gore.

While King continues to champion the 2009 film, the broader horror community generally views it as a competent but unremarkable entry in the mid-2000s remake boom. The film stars Tony Goldwyn and Monica Potter as parents seeking revenge on a gang that attacked their daughter, a role played by Sara Paxton.

Despite King’s glowing endorsement, the movie currently holds a 42 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, illustrating the vast gap between his opinion and the critical consensus.

In the years since that release, Stephen King has seen even more of his own legendary bibliography adapted for the screen with varying levels of success. The author’s influence on modern cinema remains unparalleled, with several projects currently in different stages of development.

Despite the occasional controversial opinion, King’s ability to identify what makes a story terrifying ensures that his recommendations are always taken seriously by the industry. Whether he is praising a brutal remake or penning a new bestseller, he remains the undisputed master of modern fright.

His long history of analyzing horror through his non-fiction work provides a unique lens, even if he occasionally finds brilliance in films that others dismiss as mediocre. As the genre continues to evolve with new psychological thrillers and supernatural tales, the debate over what constitutes a modern masterpiece will likely never end.

Have something to add? Share your thoughts in the comments.