Mexican filmmaker Isaac Ezban, known for his work on Mal de Ojo and Párvulos, is set to direct the big screen adaptation of Stephen King’s novella Rat. The project is backed by producers Jay Van Hoy, Fernando Ferro, and Paul Perez, with Van Hoy known for supporting acclaimed films like The Witch and The Lighthouse. This Stephen King Rat adaptation will bring to life a suspenseful story centered on ambition and its dark consequences.
Plot Overview and Themes
The narrative focuses on Drew Larson, a writer plagued by a curse that dooms each of his novels to failure through illness, misfortune, or worse. Seeking a fresh start, Drew isolates himself in a remote cabin in the woods of Maine. As a violent storm traps him inside, his physical and mental health deteriorates, leading to a fevered delirium. During this fragile state, a mysterious visitor appears, offering Drew a chance at success at an incomprehensible cost.
Background of the Source Material and Previous Adaptations
Rat is one of four novellas featured in Stephen King’s 2020 collection If It Bleeds, alongside titles such as Mr. Harrigan’s Phone and The Life of Chuck. While King’s recent novels The Life of Chuck and The Long Walk have both been adapted into films, these releases received mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike.
Creative Team and Production Context
Isaac Ezban, co-founder of Red Elephant Films and an emerging talent in Latin American genre cinema, has earned praise, including recognition from Guillermo del Toro. Producer Howard has built a solid career within the genre, contributing to projects like Oculus, Gerald’s Game, Ouija: Origin of Evil, and series including Resident Evil, The Haunting of Hill House, and Midnight Mass. Van Hoy and Ferro recently wrapped the crime thriller 52nd State, directed by Todd Yellin, while Paul Perez’s recent involvement includes the Father of the Bride remake for Warner Bros. alongside Plan B.
What to Expect Moving Forward
This adaptation of Stephen King’s Rat novella signals a continued interest in bringing King’s shorter works to the screen, with a creative team that blends rising talent and experienced genre professionals. As production develops, audiences can anticipate a film that explores themes of ambition, isolation, and the dark bargains one might make for success.
“Each attempt at a novel has ended in disaster—illness, misfortune, or worse. Determined to break the cycle, he retreats to a desolate cabin in the Maine woods, convinced this time will be different. But as a violent storm traps him in isolation, Drew’s body falters and his mind begins to unravel. In the grip of fever and madness, a stranger appears—an uncanny visitor who promises salvation and success…for a price Drew can barely comprehend.” – Stephen King, author
“Ezban, the co-founder of Red Elephant Films, is a rising figure in Latin American genre cinema and has previously received recognition from Guillermo del Toro.” – Source content
“Howard, meanwhile, has carved out a strong reputation as a writer and producer in the genre space, contributing to films like Oculus, Gerald’s Game, and Ouija: Origin of Evil, as well as series such as Resident Evil, The Haunting of Hill House, and Midnight Mass.” – Source content
“Producers Van Hoy and Ferro recently completed work on the crime thriller 52nd State, directed and written by Todd Yellin. Perez’s latest project was the Father of the Bride remake, developed with Plan B for Warner Bros.” – Source content
