History Monster / StephenKing

* Examples from theatrical films can be found [[Monster/FilmAToB here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheBoogeyman2023''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmC here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/ChildrenOfTheCorn''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmDToE here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheDarkHalf''; ''Film/TheDarkTower2017''; ''Film/TheDeadZone''; ''Film/DoctorSleep''; ''[[Literature/NightmaresAndDreamscapes Dolan's Cadillac]]''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmFToG here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheGreenMile''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmHToI here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/It2017'' & ''Film/ItChapterTwo''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmOToR here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''A Return to [[Literature/SalemsLot Salem's Lot]]''; ''Film/TheRunningMan''[[/labelnote]]; and [[Monster/FilmS here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheShawshankRedemption''[[/labelnote]].

* Examples from TV shows can be found [[Monster/LiveActionTVAToF here]] [[labelnote:Specifically]]''Series/{{Chapelwaite}}''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/LiveActionTVGToO here]] [[labelnote:Specifically]] ''Series/TheOutsider''[[/labelnote]]; and [[Monster/LiveActionTVPToZ here]] [[labelnote:Specifically]]''Series/SalemsLot''; ''Series/TheStand2020''[[/labelnote]].

* [[SatanicArchetype Randall Flagg]] is a [[HumanoidAbomination demonic]], quasi-immortal being who frequently appears throughout King's works as an embodiment of evil. Living through different lives in different worlds, the one constant about Flagg is that he is always working to sow the seeds of chaos and despair wherever he goes. Flagg was part of UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar, UsefulNotes/KuKluxKlan lynchings, police murders, and race riots, and each time he was part of a violent experience it would ultimately serve to empower the evil within him.

* Examples from theatrical films can be found [[Monster/FilmC here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/ChildrenOfTheCorn''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmDToE here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheDarkHalf''; ''Film/TheDarkTower2017''; ''Film/TheDeadZone''; ''Film/DoctorSleep''; ''[[Literature/NightmaresAndDreamscapes Dolan's Cadillac]]''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmFToG here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheGreenMile''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmHToI here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/It2017'' & ''Film/ItChapterTwo''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmOToR here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''A Return to [[Literature/SalemsLot Salem's Lot]]''; ''Film/TheRunningMan''[[/labelnote]]; and [[Monster/FilmS here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheShawshankRedemption''[[/labelnote]].

* Examples from theatrical films can be found [[Monster/FilmC here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/ChildrenOfTheCorn''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmDToE here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheDarkHalf''; ''Film/TheDarkTower2017''; ''Film/TheDeadZone''; ''[[Literature/NightmaresAndDreamscapes Dolan's Cadillac]]''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmFToG here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheGreenMile''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmHToI here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/It2017'' & ''Film/ItChapterTwo''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmOToR here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''A Return to [[Literature/SalemsLot Salem's Lot]]''; ''Film/TheRunningMan''[[/labelnote]]; and [[Monster/FilmS here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheShawshankRedemption''[[/labelnote]].

%% '''Note: Due to the controversial nature of this trope, any changes (additions, removals, edits) should be discussed [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=6vic3f9h1cy5qivsenw8llok here]].'''

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[[quoteright:275:[[Literature/TheStand https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/9f2fb091be33cfb0e01c139eeccd7d65.jpg]]]]
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->''"I'll kill you all! Ha-ha! I'll drive you crazy and then I'll kill you all! I'm every nightmare you ever had! I am your worst dream come true! I'm everything you ever were afraid of!"''
-->-- '''Pennywise''', ''Film/It1990''

* ''Literature/{{IT}}'': [[AntagonistTitle IT]], a.k.a. [[MonsterClown Pennywise the Dancing Clown]], is a [[EldritchAbomination primordial being]] as old as time. IT awakens from its hibernation every three decades and proceeds to murder and [[ChildEater devour the children]] of the town of [[TownWithADarkSecret Derry, Maine]], often using the avatar of a jovial clown named Pennywise to lure children into its clutches. IT prides itself on using its shapeshifting and hallucinogenic powers to torment its victims, [[EmotionEater preying on]] their phobias and acquired fears and likening the cultivation of their terror to "salting the meat". From 1740 to 1743, IT was responsible for the disappearance of three hundred Derry Township settlers. In 1957, IT killed Bill Denbrough's six-year-old brother, George, and devoured Patrick Hockstetter alive while in the form of his [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes greatest fear]], leeches. IT also drove [[TheBully Henry Bowers]] to madness, then killed Bowers's friends after they succeeded in luring the Losers' Club into the sewers. After waking up in 1984, IT kills a man named Adrian Mellon before resuming its violent killing spree of children. IT proceeds to manipulate Henry Bowers into trying to kill the Losers; drives Bill's wife, Audra, catatonic by exposing her to its deadlights; and manages to kill Eddie before its final defeat.

* ''Literature/NeedfulThings'': [[SouthernGothicSatan Leland Gaunt]] is a [[HumanoidAbomination devilish figure]] appearing as a [[FauxAffablyEvil genial and well-spoken]] owner of a [[TheLittleShopThatWasntThereYesterday novelty shop]] that just happens to have his customers' greatest desire in stock, which Gaunt is willing to sell for a small sum and a [[DealWithTheDevil little favor]]; as he puts it, "a prank". [[ManipulativeBastard In actuality]], it is a malevolent charm which makes his customers paranoid and obsessed, driving them into murderous insanity; the pranks are designed to fuel grudges, insecurities, and exploit the dirty secrets of Gaunt's victims. Gaunt also [[YourSoulIsMine takes the souls]] of those who die because of him, while admitting to himself that [[ForTheEvulz he doesn't really need to anymore]]. Showing up in Castle Rock, Maine, Gaunt starts his business as usual, with a notable instance of his pranks causing two women to murder each other after one of the pranks ends with a dog being killed; as a result, a young boy responsible for these pranks decides to commit suicide. Gaunt also starts to sell his customers guns to "defend their property" as paranoia gets the better of them, and begins to get two criminals to work for him to cause more chaos, with the ammo of said guns being poisoned. This culminates in the town going on a riot that nearly tears the town apart before Gaunt is defeated by Sheriff Alan Pangborn. After being beaten, Gaunt leaves Castle Rock, with the implication that he will continue his work elsewhere.

** ''Literature/TheRegulators'': [[EldritchAbomination Tak]] is a sadistic entity who [[DemonicPossession possesses]] autistic child Seth Garin with intent to [[RealityWarper rewrite reality]] to its whims. Orchestrating the slaughter of Seth's entire family, [[PsychicAssistedSuicide forcing his uncle to commit suicide]], and turning his aunt Audrey into an abused slave that Tak regularly tries to rape, Tak begins terrorizing the town Wentworth with a series of mass shootings that claim several innocent lives. Slowly transforming Wentworth into a deadly pastiche of the Old West with intentions on "wiping this town off the map!", Tak further tortures and kills off various townsfolks in the name of feasting on their pain and suffering, culminating in Tak trying to wholly override Seth's willpower by torturing Audrey to death [[ForcedToWatch while he watches]].

* Examples from theatrical films can be found [[Monster/FilmC here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/ChildrenOfTheCorn''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmDToE here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheDarkHalf''; ''Film/TheDarkTower2017''; ''Film/TheDeadZone''; ''[[Literature/NightmaresAndDreamscapes Dolan's Cadillac]]''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmHToI here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/It2017'' & ''Film/ItChapterTwo''[[/labelnote]]; [[Monster/FilmOToR here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''A Return to [[Literature/SalemsLot Salem's Lot]]''; ''Film/TheRunningMan''[[/labelnote]]; and [[Monster/FilmS here]] [[labelnote:specifically]] ''Film/TheShawshankRedemption''[[/labelnote]].

* ''Literature/TheGreenMile'': [[PsychopathicManchild William "Wild Bill" Wharton]] is awaiting execution at the Cold Mountain Penitentiary for murdering three people in an armed robbery, one of whom was a pregnant woman. When he first appears in the prison he manages to convince the guards he's in a drugged stupor, only to attempt to strangle Dean Stanton to death when his guard is down. Failing in that, Wild Bill contents himself with causing as much mischief as he can before his eventual execution. Eventually it comes to light that Wild Bill's worst known crime was the [[WouldHurtAChild rape and murder of the two little girls]] who John Coffrey was accused of killing. In order to stop the girls from calling for help, he told them that if one of them screams, [[IWillPunishYourFriendForYourFailure it's her sister that he'd kill]].