Plausible fan theory links all Stephen King’s creepy stories together

MISERY, The Stand, IT, The Dark Tower — Stephen King is a master of suspense, and this fan theory makes a believable case that all his stories are connected too.

With IT slaying at theatres and upcoming horror film Gerald’s Game on the way, it looks like we’re having a good Stephen King resurgence. King has always been a creator of extremes. When he’s good and his work is adapted by good people, his work is incredible. But when it’s bad, it gets bad quick. However, the only thing more interesting than King’s intricate monsters is the larger King-verse.

One all-time favourite fan theory is the “everything is connected” theory, and when it comes to King’s work, that has all but been confirmed.

WHAT’S THE THEORY?

The iconic author has been building up to this one for years. The Dark Tower is essentially King’s magnum opus, and every piece of fiction King has written connects to this one story. Get ready to get out your cork boards and string.

WHY IT’S NOT THAT CRAZY

Idris Elba and Tom Taylor in a scene from the movie The Dark Tower, which hit cinemas this year. Supplied by Sony Pictures.

The Dark Tower’s connections to the rest of the King-verse are mostly distant, but if you’re up on your horror knowledge, you should be able to keep track of them. For example, The Dark Tower‘s protagonist Roland encounters several villains on his quest to destroy the Crimson King. However, one of the most notable of those villains is Randall Flagg, who is also the antagonist of The Stand.

Pennywise the clown, oh helllll no.

There are tons of other connections. Later in the series The Dark Tower introduces the foe Dandelo, who turns into a clown. Most assume that Dandelo is actually Pennywise the clown from IT. Because Pennywise is real in The Dark Tower universe, that also means Derry is real, which opens up a world of connections. Dick Hallorann, the man who understood Danny’s powers in The Shining, is actually the father of one of the kids from IT. Not only that but Paul Sheldon, the author that Kathy Bates tortures in Misery, is also from Derry. Derry is also the site of the alien invasion that takes place in Dreamcatcher as well as a setting in 11/22/63. That’s just a sampling of all the mind-blowing connections. Also, it really sucks to live in Derry.

Kathy Bates in Misery.

WHY IT’S QUESTIONABLE

As far as insane, interconnected theories go, this is one holds up the most. It’s as close to officially endorsed as possible. Now when you’re overwhelmed by the thousands of hours and millions of pages of Stephen King movies and books, just remember they’re all part of a larger puzzle you’ll never understand.

This story originally appeared on Decider and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Plausible fan theory links all Stephen King’s creepy stories together