Fans of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series have been waiting a long time for an adaptation to hit the big screen and that day is finally at hand. Mixing fantasy, science fiction, and horror into a heady brew, King’s books presented a unique challenge for the filmmakers. Have they lived up to that challenge?
What it’s about: Roland Deschain, the last Gunslinger, has been locked in an eternal battle with the Man in Black, determined to prevent him from toppling the Dark Tower, which holds the universe together. With the fate of the worlds at stake, good and evil will collide in the ultimate battle.
Who’s in it: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Taylor
When it comes out: Friday, August 4
FRESH
Michael Reyes, CinemaBlend
@darktowermovie is a thrilling start to an intriguing sequel in the world of @stephenking's legendary books. Count me in for some sequels.
— Michael Reyes (@MrControversy83) August 3, 2017
Spencer Perry, ComingSoon
I kind of liked it? It has a comically rushed ending and doesn't take advantage of the material enough but I had fun with it.
— Spencer Perry (@TheSpencerPerry) August 3, 2017
Veronica McNally, Nerdist
“Idris Elba and Tom Taylor have a wonderful dynamic together, and the gunslinging action scenes are appropriately cool. But it all feels strangely… conventional, somehow.”
ROTTEN
Matt Patches, Thrillist
The Dark Tower isn't a disaster, but a total miscalculation, seven seasons of television stuffed into one 90-minute movie.
— Matt Patches (@misterpatches) August 3, 2017
Angie Han, Mashable
#TheDarkTower is kind of like Winter's Tale, only less coherent, less ambitious, and more boring.
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) August 3, 2017
Matt Singer, ScreenCrush
“For a movie based on a beloved book series, the writing is sometimes shockingly bad.”
Matt Prigge, Metro
“King has inspired plenty of terrible movies before; we guesstimate the number at around 40 to 50. But The Dark Tower has to sting.”
Kate Erbland, IndieWire
“King’s Dark Tower universe is rich with cultural reference points and is always totally unpredictable, but in cutting it down to consolidate its highlights, The Dark Tower can’t even shoot the most necessary bullets straight.”
Keep checking The Dark Tower page on Rotten Tomatoes for more reviews.
