Stephen King is undoubtedly one of the most prolific and influential authors in modern horror literature, but his depiction of disabled women often falls into troubling patterns that reinforce damaging stereotypes. In particular, the characters Annie Wilkes from Misery and Jesse from Gerald’s Game illustrate how King’s narratives tend to frame disabled women either as violent threats or tragic victims, a portrayal that not only simplifies disability but also perpetuates societal stigma.
In Misery, Annie Wilkes is introduced as a physically disabled former nurse who rescues author Paul Sheldon after a car accident. However, as the story unfolds, Annie’s disability becomes closely intertwined with her erratic and dangerous behavior. She kidnaps Paul, holding him captive and subjecting him to physical and psychological torture. The character’s violent instability is amplified by her disability, which reinforces the harmful trope of the disabled individual as inherently unstable or dangerous. This representation can contribute to real-world prejudices by implying that disability is connected to unpredictability and violence, rather than portraying Annie as a complex person shaped by many factors beyond her physical condition.
On the other hand, Gerald’s Game presents Jesse, a woman who becomes physically disabled after a traumatic event—a bondage game with her husband that goes wrong, leaving her handcuffed and stranded in a remote location. Jesse’s character is depicted with more psychological nuance as she battles not only her physical limitations but also her history of trauma and abuse. While this portrayal gives insight into the emotional and mental struggles tied to disability, it still frames disability largely through the lens of suffering and victimhood. Jesse’s survival story is powerful, but King’s focus on trauma risks reducing her disability to a symbol of pain rather than allowing for a broader, more empowering representation.
Fact 1: Studies of disability in media highlight that disabled women are often confined to narratives of victimization or menace. Annie Wilkes’s violent actions in Misery and Jesse’s vulnerable predicament in Gerald’s Game both echo these patterns, emphasizing danger or helplessness as defining traits.
Fact 2: These portrayals perpetuate social stigma against disabled women by framing their identities through extremes of fear or pity, limiting public understanding and empathy for their real-life experiences.
King’s depictions mirror broader issues within popular culture, where disability is frequently sensationalized or used as a shorthand for horror and tragedy. This oversimplification overlooks the complexity and diversity of disabled individuals’ lives and fails to challenge the biases that continue to marginalize disabled women.
Furthermore, the cultural impact of King’s storytelling is significant because of his vast audience and influence. When such stereotypes go unchallenged, they reinforce misconceptions and contribute to the social exclusion of disabled people. It is essential for media creators and consumers alike to critically analyze these portrayals and advocate for stories that present disabled women as fully realized individuals with agency beyond their disabilities.
Adding to this complexity is the inequity in whose perspectives are valued when discussing disability. Disabled creators and activists who critique harmful portrayals are often dismissed or labeled as “dramatic” or “attention-seeking,” while mainstream authors like King receive less scrutiny. This double standard highlights ongoing challenges in elevating marginalized voices and underscores the importance of amplifying authentic narratives from disabled women themselves.
By addressing these issues openly, readers and creators can push for more accurate and empathetic representations in literature and media, helping to dismantle stigma and foster a culture of inclusion.
Have you noticed these instances in work from “the king” of horror? Do you also see the ugliness they perpetrate?
