How This Popular Dean Koontz Series Could Be The Next Big Television Event

There has been one undeniable fact in recent years that fans of film and television, especially fans of the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror genres, can attest to: the meteoric rise in adaptions of popular book series and authors. Stephen King, master of horror for decades, has seen such a rise in adaptions of his work, from acclaimed single-film adaptions of short stories like Osgood Perkin’s The Monkey to the upcoming adaption of his magnum opus, The Dark Tower, by equally popular horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan. Yet one author has seen several popular novels and series hit the bestsellers list and has yet to see many significant adaptions come to life. That author is Dean Koontz, and that series is Odd Thomas.

The horror and thriller author has created some of the best character-driven narratives in the genre over the years, from a young man in a beach town with a severe sunlight allergy who uncovers a local government cover-up to the real-life works of Dr. Victor Frankenstein in modern-day New Orleans and so much more. Yet the most popular has to be Odd Thomas, the protagonist of the series that is named after himself, and while there was a single film adaption years earlier starring the late Anton Yelchin, an adaption of the entire series in a television event would fit perfectly into the modern horror landscape, making Odd Thomas the next big television event.

Related

A New Stephen King Adaptation Is On The Way And It Has A Killer Bite

Stephen King’s latest adapted work is still in theaters, but another project has been greenlit revitalizing one of the prolific author’s classics.

The Odd Thomas Series, Explained

The series comprises seven novels, three prequel graphic novels, and two short novellas. The story follows Odd Thomas, a fry cook in a small desert town who also dabbles in solving local crimes thanks to his unique ability to see the dead. Although they do not speak, he can glean their needs and help them, most notably the spirits of violent crime victims. He also has a friend in the spirit of the late singer Elvis, a dynamic writer named Ozzie, local chief of police Wyatt Porter, and the love of his life, Stormy Llewellyn.

One day, the appearance of a large group of bodachs, shadowy spirits that appear right before a great tragedy, leads him to a dark mystery connected to a stranger he dubs Fungus Man. That mystery leads to dark and powerful paranormal forces gathering as a fundamental human threat looms over his small town. He is forced to uncover the mystery before it is too late. Odd uses his supernatural talents, mind for mysteries, and determination to help those who can’t help themselves fight the forces of darkness and face the threat head-on.

The novels that follow the original book expand upon the fallout of that explosive finale, exploring Odd’s struggle with his gifts and whether to use them, as well as a growing threat in the form of a deadly cult with continuous plans for chaos and death that Odd must stop. Each novel shows his evolution as a character and the various new spirits he encounters along the way, including the mysterious bodachs and the poltergeists that rage if he can’t or, in some cases, won’t help them.

Odd Thomas Needs a Series

With series such as FROM and EVIL showing a growing interest in the horror genre and mashed up into even more prominent, multi-season mysteries, Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas is the perfect vessel for such an adaption. The unique story of this unassuming young fry cook housing a powerful supernatural gift and speaking to the dead already adds a creative flair to the series. Still, when you add in the fun and poignant appearance of celebrity spirits traveling with the young fry cook, the emotional heart of Odd’s story with his love for Stormy, and the mounting threats he is forced to stop that become more and more deadly with each novel. The series practically writes itself for television.

The heart of this series, however, would be similar to the novels, and that is the author’s emphasis on character development. Aside from the profound connection readers share with the protagonist, the equal amounts of attention the author gives to supporting characters like Little Ozzie, a large man who has a long line of successful detective novels and helps Odd solve mysteries, to the father/son bond that Odd shares with Chief Wyatt Porter, and the strength and heart that Stormy brings as she supports his mission to save as many lives as possible, all showcase the story itself is rooted in the hearts of these characters more so than the mystery. Yet the way the antagonists and spirits remain almost separate from these characters, acting more like a growing mystery that Odd must pick threads at rather than see from their perspective, keeps the suspense and thrills alive throughout each novel. Filled with fantastic imagery and heart-pounding thrills, the Odd Thomas book series would be perfect on a network like MGM+ or Netflix.

MORE

Wednesday Fans Should Check Out This Underrated 2022 Jenna Ortega Horror Movie

Wednesday fans who want to see all of Jenna Ortega’s great movies and TV shows shouldn’t miss one of her fun 2022 horror movies.