Hello horror fans! It’s me Slick Dungeon and I’m back with something a little different. While Stephen King is known for terrifying the living daylights out of us, he transcends beyond horror with flashes of absolute genius relatable to anyone. After watching so many fear inducing film adaptations of his, I thought I would take a breather and watch this time honored classic about four boys coming of age. It’s a brilliant film, still moving to this day, and it’s written by the same guy who made us all afraid of killer clowns in the sewers. I am, of course, talking about Stephen King’s Stand by Me. There will be spoilers below so if you haven’t seen the film, grab your three best friends, gather around the television, watch the movie and come on back here to read the review.

Stand by Me Background

Stand by Me is based on the Stephen King novella, The Body. The story is a precursor to some of the other genius writing we see in King’s work such as The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. While the story does involve four friends, on their last weekend before middle school, trying to find a dead body, this is not a genuine horror story. Instead, it’s a coming of age story about confronting fears, understanding the world we live in, and most of all, friendship.

The film is directed by Rob Reiner and has a top tier cast. It stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell. Plus there are appearances by Keifer Sutherland and John Cusack. The film earned over $52 million at the box office, far exceeding the production cost of $8 million.

But not only was it popular, this film was critically recognized more than any other of King’s work prior to this film. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and for two Golden Globes, one for Reiner as director, and one for best picture.

So what is it about a story about four boys trying to find a dead body that works so well and still stands the test of time? Let’s find out!

Remembering Old Times

The year is 1985. Gordie Lachance finds an article in the newspaper about the stabbing of a man named Chris Chambers. Chris was his childhood best friend. Richard Dreyfus, who plays the adult Gordie narrates us into the past. When Gordie was 12 years old he, Chris and his two other friends, Teddy Duchamp and Vern Tessio went to find a dead body. The dead boy was Ray Brower and he was the same age as these boys.

Gordie says he grew up in the town of Castle Rock, Oregon. If you’re a Stephen King fan, you know the problem with that statement. King’s fictional town of Castle Rock is in Maine, not Oregon. But that doesn’t make the film any worse for it.

In 1959 on Labor Day weekend Vern overhears his big brother talking about finding a body. Vern’s brother doesn’t want to tell the police about it because he and his friends recently stole a car. Vern tells his friends about the body and where to find it and the four of them agree to go out and find Ray’s body, thinking they will become celebrities.

Overcoming Tragedy

Gordie had an older brother named Denny who recently died. Gordie’s father paid attention to Denny but ignored Gordie. But Denny was kind to his younger brother and Gordie misses him. At the same time he struggles with his father’s lack of interest and the town knowing everything about his brother and nothing about him.

The boys set out for a two day walk. But first, Chris takes his father’s pistol in case there are bears. Chris and Gordie run into the local thugs, Ace Merrill and Chris’s older brother “Eyeball.” Ace takes Gordie’s Yankees hat, a gift from his older brother. These older boys are bullies and the villains of the film.

A Long Walk With Friends

The adventure starts and the boys insult each other in good fun along the way. They cut through a junkyard but make a lot of noise. This brings out Milo Pressman, the owner of the junkyard, along with his dog, Chopper. Milo crosses the line and calls Teddy’s father a “loony” which sends Teddy into a rage. The boys hold Teddy back but Milo does more psychological damage by saying Gordie is nothing like his brother.

The hike continues with more joking and insults. Chris tells Gordie to keep writing, even though his father doesn’t approve. None of them thought to bring any food for the trip. When they reach a railroad bridge the four of them have to cross quickly as a train comes. Gordie and Vern barely make it.

The boys do manage to get to a store to get something to eat and as they sit around the campfire, Gordie tells an absolutely disgusting story but it entertains the group.

Friends are There for EAch Other

While I could go into a lot more detail about the film, the main thing that happens is these boys start to grow up. They insult one another constantly but they are also there for each other. They support one another when it counts. Teddy is reassured by his friends when his father is called a “loony”, Gordie gets pep talks from Chris, Chris spills his heart out to Gordie about being perceived as a bad kid, and Vern is accepted for all his foibles.

The next day the boys walk across swamp water and end up with leeches all over them. When Gordie finds one in the most private of places, he faints. The boys consider going back but Gordie is determined to go on. He has a need to see Ray’s body.

The Body

The boys do come across the body of Ray Brower. Gordie loses it. He breaks down crying, asking his friends, and the universe why he had to die. When he says it, it is clear Gordie doesn’t mean Ray. He’s talking about his brother. Gordie still feels the loss and the unfairness of a kind person taken from him too soon. And Gordie asks Chris why his father hates him. Chris tells Gordie it’s just because Gordie’s dad doesn’t really know who he is. At that moment, Gordie realizes he doesn’t want the fame for finding the body.

Ace and his thugs show up to claim the body, wanting to be local heroes themselves. But Gordie pulls out the pistol Chris brought along and makes Ace back off. The thugs leave and the boys cover Ray up with a blanket. They go home and part ways, deciding to leave an anonymous tip.

The whole meaning of the story is summed up in the present day of 1985. Gordie, who is a writer, tells us what became of his friends. And he ends the story he is typing on his computer with, “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?”

While the whole movie had lots of events happen, it’s this last line it was really about. Best friends who are twelve years old. And it makes the film a brilliant piece of work.

Stand By Me In Conclusion

Stand by Me is the type of film that appeals to anyone. It’s not a horror film, although there are gross moments and one dead body. It is cast so perfectly I can’t really convey it here. The twelve year old boys show true camaraderie and friendship onscreen and their performances hold up to this day. The directing here is spot on, no mistakes in the film, with the single exception of saying this takes place in Oregon.

If you like films about coming of age like The Outsiders or My Girl, are prepared to cry just a smidge, and want to see a movie that just works, this is one to watch.

The Enduring Legacy of Stand by Me

Over thirty years after this film came out, critics still praise it. Personally, I recently re-watched E.T. and soon after re-watched Stand by Me. I was struck by how both movies are nearly perfect. They are classics that simply endure.

Since this film came out, many other films have tried to emulate it. Some have done well with the same type of coming of age story but others struggle to find their footing. I think the secret of Stand by Me is that the goal of seeing Ray Brower’s body was never the point. It was capturing a moment in time in the lives of these children. Like lightning in a bottle, this film capture the same magic. And for that, it will forever be a classic.

Want More?

Want to see some of my other King reviews? Take a look here!

Looking for a good King read? Check out this one!

Have you seen this one lately? Do you think it holds up? Let me know in the comments!

Adolescently yours,

Slick Dungeon