Rick and Morty’s parody ofNeedful Thingsis a much better adaptation of the classic Stephen King horror novel than its own underwhelming movie adaptation.Rick and Mortyhas been spoofing movies since the very beginning. The second ever episode, “Lawnmower Dog,” satirizes the dreamscape adventures ofInceptionandA Nightmare on Elm Street. The show has lampooned everything fromTerminator’s time-traveling cyborgs toAlien’s pesky facehuggers toJurassic Park’s amusement park gone awry. And it hasn’t just parodied sci-fi movies;Rick and Mortyhas parodied horror movies, too.
But, as great asRick and Morty’s movie referencesare, it’s rare that they surpass the movies themselves.Rick and Morty’sMad Max: Fury Roadepisode is a fun homage, but it’s not a better post-apocalyptic actioner than George Miller’s cinematic masterpiece. Morty’s adventure with the Vindicators is a fun send-up of Marvel movies, but it’s not a superhero romp on par withGuardians of the GalaxyorAvengers: Infinity War. However,there is oneRick and Mortymovie parody from all the way back in its first season that left the original in its dust.
Rick & Morty’s Needful Things Spoof Has More Depth & Tension Than The Official Movie Adaptation
“Something Ricked This Way Comes” Is The Best Adaptation Of Needful Things
In season 1, episode 9, “Something Ricked This Way Comes,”Rick and MortyspoofedNeedful Things.InNeedful Things, a mysterious man named Leland Gaunt opens up an antique store that sells curious supernatural antiquitiesthat grant amazing personal favors to their users — like a pendant that eases pain or a toy that predicts the results of sporting events — but come at an ironic cost. In theRick and Mortyepisode, Summer takes a part-time job at a similar store run bythe unsubtly named Mr. Needful.
“Something Ricked This Way Comes,” on the other hand, genuinely escalates the stakes with a conflict between Summer, as Mr. Needful’s employee, and Rick, as his good-samaritan competitor, and it digs deeper into the be-careful-what-you-wish-for philosophy.
Rick and Morty’s parody ofNeedful Thingsis a much better version of King’s story than its own 1993 movie adaptation.The movie has great performances and a satisfying ending, but it’s an extremely dull viewing experiencefor the most part. Director Fraser C. Heston fails to build any tension or expand on the one-note premise. “Something Ricked This Way Comes,” on the other hand, genuinely escalates the stakes with a conflict between Summer, as Mr. Needful’s employee, and Rick, as his good-samaritan competitor, and it digs deeper into the be-careful-what-you-wish-for philosophy.
Rick & Morty Should Do More Stephen King Parodies
Imagine A Rick & Morty Version Of Christine Or The Running Man
Rick and Mortyshould do more parodies of King’s novels. It would be great to see aRick and Mortyversion ofThe Dead Zonewhere Morty gains the uncanny ability to see how people will die just from touching them. It would be great to see aRick and Mortyversion ofChristinewhere Jerry buys a murderous car that exacts revenge against his bullies. Imagine aFirestarterspoof with the government hunting a superhuman Summer or aRunning Manspoof with Space Beth taking part in a deadly futuristic game show.Rick and Mortyhas an untapped goldmine.
Rick and Morty
Cast
Rick and Morty is an animated science fiction series that follows the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his impressionable grandson Morty Smith as they embark on perilous adventures across space and alternate dimensions. The show explores the impact of these exploits on Morty’s tumultuous family life and personal challenges.
