After a decade of being locked behind paywalls and cable, Stephen King’s critically acclaimed time-travel thriller 11/22/63 has finally arrived on Netflix — and it’s exploding across the U.S. charts, currently sitting at #3 nationwide, trailing only Stranger Things and Run Away.
The eight-part limited series, originally produced by Hulu and J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot in 2016, adapts King’s 2011 bestselling novel of the same name. James Franco stars as Jake Epping, a grieving high-school English teacher who discovers a portal in the back of a Maine diner that leads to September 9, 1958. His mission: travel back in time and prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
But as Jake embeds himself in late-1950s Texas under the alias “George Amberson,” he quickly learns that the past fights back — hard. Every small change ripples forward in unpredictable, often violent ways. He falls in love with school librarian Sadie Dunhill (Sarah Gadon), befriends the real-life Lee Harvey Oswald (Daniel Webber), and grapples with the moral weight of altering history. The series masterfully balances high-stakes thriller elements with tender romance, slow-burn dread, and King’s signature blend of supernatural unease and human tragedy.
Franco delivers a career-defining performance as a man torn between love and duty, while Gadon’s Sadie is both luminous and heartbreaking. The supporting cast — including Chris Cooper as Jake’s mentor Al Templeton, George MacKay as a young Oswald, and Cherry Jones as the formidable Mimi — adds layers of authenticity and menace.
Critics and fans alike have called it one of King’s most faithful and emotionally complex adaptations. The Hollywood Reporter described it as “a deep, dark exploration of time, tragedy, and what it means to be human,” while viewers on Netflix have flooded reviews with warnings: “This isn’t just a show — it’s an experience. Keep tissues close and don’t plan anything for the next 8 hours.”
The series’ arrival on Netflix has introduced it to a massive new audience. Many who missed it during its Hulu run are now binge-watching in 24 hours, stunned by the slow-burn tension, shocking twists, and the gut-punch ending that forces viewers to question the morality of changing history at all.
For a generation that grew up with King’s horror classics, 11/22/63 offers something different: a mature, character-driven story that lingers long after the credits roll. It asks not just “What if?” but “Should we?” — and the answers are as unsettling as they are unforgettable.
All eight episodes are now streaming on Netflix. If you’ve ever wondered what you’d do with the chance to rewrite the past, this series will haunt you long after you finish it. Clear your weekend. You’ve been warned.
