A woman finds herself a new love or so she thinks in this adaptation of the Stephen King short story. 

It’s the 1970s at the University of Maine. Sociology student Elizabeth Rogen is studying hard for the final. When Edward Hamner Jr. appears at the library, he meets Elizabeth and offers her ice cream. The two hit it off and he offers to help her with the sociology final. When Elizabeth passes, she is thrilled but must break the news to Edward that she has a boyfriend, Tony Lombard. She returns home for the summer and spends time with Tony. 

Upon her return to school, she gets shocking news. She learns Tony has been killed in a car accident. When Edward learns the news, he consoles Elizabeth and soon enough, the two begin a loving relationship. However, when Elizabeth’s roommate and best friend Alice suspects something is off with Edward, she tries to warn Elizabeth but will it be too late?

Originally a short story by the legendary Stephen King, one of his biggest fans successfully started a Kickstarter fund to get the film made. Julia Marchese can be known as an “ultimate King fan”. Her love of the author’s work inspired her to adapt this short film, which is her favorite of his short stories. What Marchese accomplishes in a nostalgic look that has the perfect look and feel of King’s setting of the 1970s. 

The film’s look is that of a 1970s After School Special thanks to the wardrobe, look of a 35mm print along with Peter Marchese’s excellent nostalgia-inspired score. Combined with excellent performances by leads Caroline Goldenberg as Elizabeth and William Champion as Edward, Marchese really brings out a film that should be seen by any fan of King’s works, especially his nostalgic works. 

Champion as Edward comes off as a bit creepy and one can tell something may be off about him, but he seems to have good intentions. As for Goldenberg’s Elizabeth, she just has this feeling of having a boyfriend but during the montage where we see Tony and she, it is clear she isn’t exactly comfortable as Tony seems to treat Liz as someone would treat one of their guy friends. It is when she has her relationship with Edward we get the cute romantic montage seen in these old school brand of specials or even romance films of the era. It is extremely cute, but let’s not forget, this is Stephen King we are talking about. You know something sinister is set to happen and it surely does. 

If you are a fan of both nostalgic cinema and Stephen King, then you have found your perfect film in I Know What You Need. Julia Marchese clearly has a vision and accomplishes it. Can’t wait to see what she has next up her sleeve. 

WFG RATING: A+

A One Ski Productions film. Director: Julia Marchese. Producer: Julia Marchese. Writer: Julia Marchese; based on the short story by Stephen King. Cinematography: Alex Simon. Editing: Rick Dominicus.

Cast: Caroline Goldenberg, William Champion, Giovanna Drummond, Colin Fin.