Sometimes They Come Back (1991)★★★☆☆

I’ve recently been watching The West Wing for the first time ever (I know, I know) so it’s appropriate that I’d watch a movie starring Tim Matheson. He’s much more likable in this as Jim Norman than he is in The West Wing, though, which is probably for the best.

This definitely watches like a Stephen King story, although it’s another I haven’t read. The premise is reasonably interesting but after watching the movie I don’t feel the need to read it also. Which isn’t to say the movie isn’t interesting – it is interesting. And well acted. And, for the most part, with nicely done background music.

It’s a bit slow at times, which makes some of the dream sequences and flashbacks feel a bit sudden and disorienting, and the dialogue is a bit boring. Also, I’m not sure the narrator’s voiceover really works for this movie. I’d guess it’s a byproduct of trying to adapt the short story to film, but it never fits quite right.

Overall, though, this is another okay ’90s movie adaptation of a Stephen King story. I found it entertaining while watching but forgettable shortly thereafter. It’s a little better than background music – maybe something to watch while folding laundry.