The Master of Horror Weighs In
Legendary horror author Stephen King has never shied away from sharing bold opinions, and this time, his target is one of pop culture’s most heated debates: spoilers.
In a recent foreword written for After Midnight: Thirteen Chilling Tales, a collection of stories by British author Daphne du Maurier, King declared that spoiler sensitivity is nothing more than “the cry of spoiled people.”
According to the creator of It, Carrie, and The Shining, no truly great story can be destroyed by revealing its ending. “The pleasure is not in the destination, but in the journey,” King emphasized.
Why Spoilers Have Become Such a Big Deal
The rise of social media has turned spoilers into one of the most fiercely debated topics in the entertainment world. Major studios such as Marvel and DC have invested heavily in secrecy, sometimes even filming multiple versions of scenes to prevent leaks.
For many fans, avoiding spoilers has become almost a ritual, with people muting hashtags, dodging reviews, and even staying offline until they’ve watched the latest release.
But King, whose works often rely on suspense and shocking revelations, remains skeptical about the hysteria.
King’s Take: Good Stories Can’t Be Broken
In his essay, King wrote:
“One of the unpleasant side effects of the Internet, and especially social media, is the fashionable idea of the ‘spoiler.’ I have little patience for it. The cry of ‘You spoiled it!’ is usually the cry of the pampered. A good story is rarely ruined. Because the joy lies not in arriving, but in traveling.”
This statement echoes what many literary critics have argued: that the power of storytelling goes beyond its ending.
The One Exception: Daphne du Maurier
Interestingly, King also admitted there is one rare exception to his philosophy: the works of Daphne du Maurier, author of Rebecca and The Birds.
“Her stories are a notable exception to this rule. Talking about them too much destroys their effect. All I’ll say is this: you are in the hands of a master storyteller—a devilishly clever one at that.”
This caveat adds nuance to King’s bold claim, suggesting that while most narratives are strong enough to withstand spoilers, some depend heavily on the surprise factor.
A Busy Year for Stephen King
The year 2025 has been a significant one for Stephen King fans. Alongside his latest novel Never Flinch featuring Holly Gibney, several of his iconic works have been adapted for the big screen:
- The Monkey released earlier this year
- The Life of Chuck premiered in the summer
- The Long Walk has just arrived in theaters
- The Running Man is expected to hit cinemas in November
These adaptations highlight King’s continued dominance in both literature and film, proving that his influence shows no sign of slowing.
Why His Words Matter
King’s comments on spoilers struck a nerve precisely because of who he is. Few authors are as synonymous with plot twists, shock endings, and suspense as Stephen King. From Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption to Misery, his works often rely on unexpected developments.
That makes his dismissal of spoiler anxiety all the more surprising—and perhaps liberating—for readers and viewers who have been overly cautious.
