Stephen King, one of the world’s most renowned authors in the horror genre, has never held back his opinions on slasher films, and his take on The Toolbox Murders stands out among his most intense criticisms. Known for expressing his Stephen King slasher movie opinions, King recently described the 1978 film as “awful,” citing its extreme violence and disturbing content.
While King, a Maine native and celebrated horror writer, is famous for his chilling storytelling, he admits there are certain boundaries he refuses to cross when choosing what to watch. In past interviews, he’s shared personal favorites, such as praising The Last House on the Left remake from 2009, which he called
“easily the most brilliant remake of the decade”
due to finding the original lacking.
King’s Mixed Reactions to Different Horror Films
Stephen King’s taste in film and television is varied, yet discerning. Besides slasher movies, King has expressed admiration for other genres, often highlighting their impact on readers and viewers alike. He once called The Stranger—Netflix’s adaptation of Harlan Coben’s book starring actors like adam price and wesley eure—an “excellent mystery” and “addictive.” In this series, a mysterious character dramatically disrupts the life of a family man, showcasing the type of plots King finds engaging.
Outside the world of entertainment, King’s personal history has shaped his perspectives. He has openly discussed the significant role George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series played during his struggles with addiction, describing how audio versions of Martin’s novels became a source of strength and inspiration that helped him continue his own work.
Despite being the author behind classics such as Cujo—which is now reportedly being developed as a film by Netflix with producer roy lee attached—many of King’s novels have yet to receive adaptations, leaving fans curious about which haunting stories may reach the screen next.
Why King Is Repulsed by The Toolbox Murders
According to reports in Far Out Magazine, Stephen King has gone on record labeling The Toolbox Murders as the worst slasher film he’s ever seen, specifically citing a brutal scene.
“The worst one I ever saw was The Toolbox Murders,”
King stated.
“There’s a guy who gets a girl at one point with a nailer, one of these gadgets, right in the forehead.”
—Stephen King, Horror Writer. The level of violence in this scene, and others like it, led King to express deep discomfort with the movie’s approach.
Still, King admits an element of fascination with slasher movies, though he remains troubled by their imagery and themes.
“Oh, my god, that’s awful. Let’s do it again.”
—Stephen King, Horror Writer. This reaction reveals the complex draw that even the most disturbing content can have, even for someone who has built a career around horror.
The Film’s Notorious Reputation
The Toolbox Murders, directed by Dennis Donnelly and starring cameron mitchell, pamelyn ferdin, and wesley eure, quickly became infamous for its graphic portrayal of violence. The film is set in a Los Angeles apartment complex, where a series of violent murders and the disappearance of a teenage girl unfold. Although marketed as being inspired by real-life events, no evidence ever supported this claim, leading to speculation that it was merely a tactic to attract audiences.
During the 1980s in the UK, the film’s content pushed it onto the banned list, cementing its reputation as a deeply controversial work. While it was eventually removed from the ban, its infamy remained, with both critics and general audiences reacting overwhelmingly negatively. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Toolbox Murders holds a dismal 13% score from critics and just 31% from viewers, with many finding its content “thoroughly tasteless.”
One particularly harsh review noted that the film
“delivered one of the most obnoxious performances ever in a horror movie.”
—Critics. King, the mind behind some of horror’s most twisted creations, went a step further regarding viewers who appreciate such films:
“Would like to go out and do that exact same thing and don’t have the guts to do it,”
—Stephen King, Horror Writer. This strong statement underscores how deeply the film disturbed him, despite his own history crafting terrifying narratives about characters like Pennywise the Clown and the murderous dog Cujo.
King Continues to Shape the Horror Conversation
Beyond his criticisms, King remains a driving force in horror literature and film. With Netflix adapting his 1981 novel Cujo into a new movie and his extensive body of work still expanding, his opinions continue to drive discussion within the horror community. The reaction to The Toolbox Murders shows how even horror legends have their limits, but also how intensely they engage with their genre’s most controversial entries.
As the landscape of slasher movies evolves and more of King’s books find their way to the screen, his intense and often sorrowful reactions to films like The Toolbox Murders remind audiences of the varied and passionate responses that horror can inspire—not just fear, but controversy, debate, and a constant push to define boundaries within the genre.
