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Summary
Mike Flanagan’s upcoming adaptation ofThe Dark Towerhas the potential to be one of the most ambitiousStephen Kingprojects ever brought to the screen. The legendary book series blends horror, fantasy, Western, and sci-fi elements into an epic tale of Roland Deschain’s quest for the titular tower. With Flanagan’s talent for blending atmosphere, character depth, and psychological horror, he seems like the perfect filmmaker to bring this story to life. However, while most fans are focused on how he will adapt the seven main books, one key piece ofThe Dark Towermythology shouldn’t be overlooked—The Wind Through the Keyhole.
Unlike the main novels,The Wind Through the Keyholeis a side story, released after the primary saga had already concluded. However, it adds a rich layer to Roland’s character, delivering a nested narrative that deepens the world of Mid-World. With the right approach, Flanagan’s series could include an episode or even a standalone special based on this book—similar to howInvinciblededicated a separate special to Atom Eve’s origin story. Doing so would not only honor King’s intricate storytelling but also provide audiences with a deeper connection to Roland’s past.
What Is The Wind Through the Keyhole
In the story within the story of the book,young Roland and his companionJamie De Curry are sent to a small town where a shape-shifting creature called the skin-man has been slaughtering entire families. Their mission is to identify the creature while it’s in its human form, a task that proves difficult since no one knows what the skin-man looks like when not transformed. The only witness to one of the attacks is a terrified boy named Bill Streeter. In an effort to comfort him, Roland tells him a story—a fable that makes up the third layer of the book.
In an effort to comfort him, Roland tells him a story—a fable that makes up the third layer of the book.
The story within Roland’s tale follows Tim Ross, a young boy whose father is murdered under mysterious circumstances. His mother soon marries a cruel man named Kells, who blinds her in a drunken fit of rage. Determined to find a cure for his mother’s blindness, Tim sets off on a dangerous journey through the wilds of Mid-World, encountering mystical beings, including the enigmatic Maerlyn and a powerful tiger kept in a glass cage. His adventure ties into thegrander themes ofThe Dark Tower, illustrating fate, courage, and the hidden magic that weaves through Roland’s world. Ultimately, Tim’s journey becomes a metaphor for perseverance and the pursuit of truth—one that echoes the very quest Roland himself is on.
Why The Wind Through the Keyhole Matters to The Dark Tower
WhileThe Wind Through the Keyholeisn’tessential to the coreDark Towerplot, it serves as an important character study. Set betweenWizard and GlassandWolves of the Calla, the book finds Roland and his ka-tet seeking shelter from a deadly Starkblast storm. To pass the time, Roland tells his companions a story from his youth—one that contains yet another story within it.
The novel is structured in three layers:
This storytelling approach makesThe Wind Through the KeyholeuniquewithinThe Dark Towercanon. While it doesn’t directly advance the main plot, it enriches the world and offers insight into Roland’s psyche, as well as the folklore that shapes Mid-World. Flanagan, who excels at character-driven narratives (as seen inMidnight MassandThe Haunting of Hill House), could use this book to add an emotional and thematic layer to his adaptation.
How an Episode or Special Could Work
The non-linear nature ofThe Wind Through the Keyholemakes it an ideal candidate for a standalone episode or a special separate from the main storyline. This approach has worked well for other adaptations, such asThe Sandman, which included a bonus episode featuring two short stories, andInvincible,which releasedAtom Eve, a special focusing on a single character’s backstory.
Flanagan could adaptThe Wind Through the Keyholein a similar way, presenting it as a detour within the series or as an extra episode released between seasons. This would allow the show toremain focused on Roland’s questwhile still incorporating this beloved side story. Additionally, it would serve as a way to introduce newcomers toThe Dark Tower’s deep lore without overwhelming them with the complexities of the main saga.
The special could beframed with Rolandand his ka-tet taking refuge from a storm, just as in the book, with the bulk of the runtime dedicated to the two inner stories. This format would letFlanagan explore different visual styles—perhaps adopting a more surreal or fairy tale-like aesthetic for Tim Ross’s journey, contrasting it with the grounded horror of Roland’s investigation into the skin-man. Given Flanagan’s knack for atmospheric horror and dreamlike storytelling, this layered narrative could be visually stunning and thematically rich. It could also makeThe Dark Towerthat much better for having these kind of side stories included to pack out of the lore.
