A new series was released on Netflix this month that deals with a true story, impressing and shocking not only “regular” viewers but also the successful author Stephen King.
Which series is this about? Baby Reindeer premiered on April 11, 2024, on Netflix and has now reached the top of the streaming service’s currently most popular series. The British series is based on a play by Richard Gadd and his true story.
The plot follows comedian Donny Dunn (played by Richard Gadd) and his strange relationship with his stalker. This relationship ultimately leads to a confrontation with a repressed trauma.
To finance his life, the comedian works part-time in a pub, where he serves a woman named Martha (played by Jessica Gunning) one day. He offers her a tea on the house since she has no money with her. Subsequently, the woman develops an unhealthy attachment to him, comes to the pub daily, terrorizes him with countless emails, and stalks him wherever he goes.
How does Stephen King react? In a post on X.com, the successful author of several horror novels writes “BABY REINDEER: Holy Shit”, making it clear in just a few words that Baby Reindeer impresses him.
Whether his reaction is merely a compliment because he thinks the series is very well made or if the story behind it shocked him is something only King knows. Because we don’t get more words from him.
Considering that Baby Reindeer is based on a true story and deals with a rather sensitive topic, it could very well be a bit of both.
Viewers React: The Only Appropriate Response
How do other users react to King’s words? “That’s the only appropriate reaction to this series. It’s so much, so real, so uncomfortable, just such depth,” comments a user under Stephen King’s post. “I can agree with that. I’m on episode 5 and I can’t stop thinking about this story! ‘Holy Shit’ is the appropriate reaction,” another user concurs.
While many agree with the author, there are also a few fans who are concerned about his reaction. “Stop being afraid. It’s scary when you are afraid,” writes one user. To which another replies: “If Stephen King is scared, we should run.”
Considering that Stephen King himself wrote a story with his novel “Misery” that impressively deals with the topic of stalking, his reaction is all the more interesting.
The Shining is one of Stephen King’s most famous works. For the film adaptation, one scene had to be shot particularly often: A single scene in a well-known horror film was shot 148 times
