LISEY’S STORY: Love, Loss & The Power Of Imagination

There is something magical about Lisey’s Story.

And I don’t mean that in the obvious, this-is-a-Stephen King-tale, kind of way.

Lisey’s Story has an underlining message that is powerful in both the fantastical sense and the kind that sneaks into the beauty of our everyday lives. For many of King’s stories, the power lies in the marring of realism and the imaginative, and Lisey’s Story is the most recent to do this. After coming off of the disappointment of The Stand, I was quite taken with this tale.

Dark, deep, and ultimately poignant, to put it simply: It’s the Stephen King adaptation I’ve been waiting for.

It’s been two years since Lisey (Julianne Moore) lost her husband, famous writer Scott Landon (Clive Owen). The weight of the loss looms heavy and becomes especially unbearable and fresh with the arrival of a dangerous superfan:  Jim Dooley (Dane Dehaan) who shows up searching for his unpublished work.

In a lot of ways, this is a tale of obsession, both of fandom and of the quest for answers beyond death. What starts as a request by Professor Dashiel (Ron Cephas Jones) who is interested in the works, who by extension then releases the unhinged Dandy, continues to Lisey’s sister Amanda (Joan Allen) as well, who has recently gone into a catatonic state. Is it just her fragile frame or her mind that’s got her lost? Or is there more to it?

There’s also a treasure hunt, left behind by Scott, (known as a bool hunt here) that uses clues to eventually lead to some sort of prize. As a child, Scott would get some kind of treat a kid would adore at the end, but for Lisey, her quest’s finale is a much more transcendent one.

A Bool & And The Forests Of Boo’ya Moon

A large portion of this tale is told through flashbacks of memories that Lisey has, many of which are things Scott told her about his family and about his special… ability. As Lisey uncovers forgotten parts of her psyche, she becomes closer, again to her husband, but also, to learning how to save her sister. Amanda and Scott had a special bond, one that started as a connection through their mental illness and self-harm but went beyond understanding to a place of mutual evolution of the minds.

As much as this is a story about love, it’s also one about family. Lisey’s sisters, Amanda and Darla (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh) are integral parts of the tale, and by the story’s end, they’ll all need each other.

As this is a King story, perhaps his most intimate, there is still going to be a level of illogical (at least by most) and some very dark and wondrous elements. In this one, it’s a place that Scott escapes to when he’s trying to avoid his abusive father and to heal from the injuries incurred. The dark history of his family, father (Michael Pitt) and brother Paul (Clark Furlong) are both aware of this alternate plane, and his father, instructs young Scott on how to cut the “bad” out. It’s exactly how it sounds, with some very discomforting scenes, showing the extent of the trauma Scott had endured.

The place? Boo’ya Moon. Here Scott can heal in its waters, but beware: there are dangers (including a terrifying, giant beast) that lurk at night, and one can be lost here. It’s frequented a lot over the eight episodes, usually by using water as a catalyst. It is visited by more than one character, and as soon as the story shifts there, the stunning visuals and colors envelop you, creating a discernible energy that expands beyond the screen. The atmosphere is both creepy and alluring.

In combination with her older sister’s ailing health and the very real and physical threat of Dandy, Lisey continues to follow the clues her husband left, rediscovering key moments in their relationship (and his life) and getting closer to the inevitable prize.

There isn’t just one reason this show works. It relies heavily on the recurring insistence of many different themes and tonal changes, and they all work individually, and in tandem.

With some truly disturbing (and gut-wrenching) moments, suspense, as well as instances of levity and genuine warmth, Lisey’s Story is an exercise in imagination, but also a study of grief and acceptance. By the series’ close, all has been settled, as much as one can be in regards to matters of the heart.

I’m purposely excluding a lot because I want the story to be a surprise as much as it can. It’s worth it. I found myself to be floored at times, inspired by others, and overall; touched. As I stated, this is a miniseries of magic, both in what it explores universally, but also what it generates internally.

Talent On All Sides

At times, the storytelling borders on what one could refer to as “trippy,” which makes sense given that the framework of Lisey’s Story is about the human mind and the possibilities and power that love can bring to our lives. It explores what is capable within the confines of our world, and yet also what it’s like to travel beyond that.

The performances in Lisey’s Story are all amazing, with Allen giving a powerful portrayal and Dehaan as the effectively sinister antagonist. Owen and Moore are especially, as our two leads. Their chemistry and the love story is not only believable but heartbreaking. Over the eight episodes, all directed by Pablo Larraín, a beautiful story is divulged. There are some occasional scenes that don’t work as well as others, and I think the first five episodes are the strongest, but it never drags as much as it may skip or lose focus a little. In other words, the issues are there, but it doesn’t break its overall spirit.

For those expecting only horror (as some sum King up as solely that- and to those, I would say: look harder) this may not be your series. As the sole writer here, he is able to take his work and form it on the screen in a way that truly fits his vision. Of course, this doesn’t always translate successfully, but with the poignant Lisey’s Story, it truly does.

More often than not I want more time with King’s stories, but with Lisey’s, I felt like we were given enough. One of my only real, nagging, criticisms is the back half of the series, which does get a bit jumbled. Still, their stories were resolved, which is all you ever want with characters you have invested in.

A lot of the story is left to the imagination, with rules and definitive elements left unexplained. I don’t mind the untidiness so much, as over exposition is often negative. Here, it’s not a deterrent as much as it is a welcome blindspot. In the context of this story, the unexplainable isn’t as important as what is ingrained throughout. I also have to give a shout-out to the gorgeous and intricate intro, it’s one of my favorite opening credit sequences in a long time. The creature design and world-building are also really spectacular.

Conclusion: Lisey’s Story

Despite any problematic elements in the tail end, I loved Lisey’s Story. Its effectiveness, even in some of its less compelling moments, with heady and heartfelt writing, and performances that simmer is hard to forget. The fusion of genres with psychological horror, fantasy, and romance, with a tether that irrecoverably drives us all: love, is a powerful one indeed.

Lisey’s Story premieres on Apple TV+ on June 4th. 

Have you seen the series? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!