The Dark Tower
"There are other worlds than these."
Haunted by visions of a parallel world, a teenager named Jake finds his dreams pulling him toward a broken city at the edge of reality. There he encounters Roland Deschain, a battle weary gunslinger sworn to guard the Dark Tower, a crumbling anchor that holds every universe together. The tower's... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: February 21, 2026
About The Dark Tower
Haunted by visions of a parallel world, a teenager named Jake finds his dreams pulling him toward a broken city at the edge of reality. There he encounters Roland Deschain, a battle weary gunslinger sworn to guard the Dark Tower, a crumbling anchor that holds every universe together. The tower's stability is failing, and the threat of annihilation grows as a sinister figure named Walter O'Dim seeks to collapse the barrier between worlds. With the fate of countless realms resting on their uneasy partnership, the two set off across warped landscapes that blend western dust and futuristic ruins. They chase clues, face overwhelming danger, and wrestle with questions about destiny, choice, and what it means to protect multiple worlds today.
Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, The Dark Tower adapts Stephen King's sprawling book series for screen. The film stars Idris Elba as Roland Deschain and Matthew McConaughey as the enigmatic Walter O'Dim, and aims for a cinematic look and epic scope.
Box office performance was modest for a large scale fantasy release, with worldwide receipts that fell short of studio expectations. The reception among audiences and critics reflected divided opinions on the adaptation and left the studio pondering future risks globally.
Despite the star power and ambitious visuals the film did not leave a lasting mark on pop culture. It sits as a curious footnote in Stephen King adaptations, remembered mainly for Idris Elba's stoic presence and the uneasy blend of Western mood with sci fi imagery for fans everywhere now.
Critics were split on how the story was condensed and how the tone shifted. Some praised the pace and performances, while others felt important moments were sacrificed. Core themes include duty, prophecy, and the trade offs of guarding multiple worlds. These discussions keep the film relevant for some viewers today.
What Viewers Are Saying
Viewers have mixed opinions about The Dark Tower, with some praising its action-packed sequences and Idris Elba's and Matthew McConaughey's performances, particularly enjoying it as a fun, summer adventure film. However, many express disappointment over the movie's condensed storytelling, feeling it inadequately adapts the complex source material and would have been better suited as a series. Criticism is also directed at its pacing and failure to capture the depth of Stephen King's books, leading some to view it as a missed opportunity. Overall, audiences are divided between appreciation for the entertainment value and frustration with the execution and narrative limitations.
Details
- Release Date
- August 03, 2017
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Rating
- PG-13
- User Ratings
- 5,427 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Fantasy, Action, Science Fiction
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures +3 more
- Budget
- $60,000,000
- Box Office
- $113,231,078
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Idris Elba
Roland Deschain
Matthew McConaughey
Walter O’Dim
Tom Taylor
Jake Chambers
Claudia Kim
Arra Champignon
Fran Kranz
Pimli Prentiss
Abbey Lee
Tirana
Jackie Earle Haley
Richard Sayre
Katheryn Winnick
Laurie Chambers
Dennis Haysbert
Steven Deschain
Michael Barbieri
Timmy
Director: Nikolaj Arcel
Written by: Anders Thomas Jensen, Jeff Pinkner, Akiva Goldsman