Thinner

An affluent lawyer finds his life upended after a chance encounter with an enigmatic Romani man who places a hex on him. Almost overnight the once heavyset Billy Halleck begins shedding weight at a frightening rate, his world shrinking along with his body. As the mystery behind the curse deepens, he turns to a circle of unsavory contacts to persuade the mystic to lift the spell. Feasting on fear and debt, he races against a clock that won’t budge, watching friends and foes react to his transformation. The law, his reputation, and his very survival hinge on whether a cure can be found before the thinning becomes fatal. The uneasy blend of crime and superstition drives the tension forward.

Directed by Tom Holland, Thinner is an on screen adaptation of Stephen King and Michael McDowell's premise, brought to life with a practical effects footprint typical of mid 1990s horror. The film features Robert John Burke as Billy Halleck, with Kari Wührer and Michael Constantine in supporting roles, and it was produced on an eight million dollar budget. The film sits at the intersection of urban dread and supernatural punishment.

Thinner earned about 15.3 million worldwide against its modest budget, making it a solid mid range performer for a genre title released in 1996, and it demonstrated continued audience interest in Stephen King adaptations even when budgets were modest.

Critical responses noted the film's lean, tense mood and its sharp use of body horror to probe vanity, consequence, and the price of living beyond one's means. It stands as a grim parable about bending to fear and debt rather than pure spectacle.

As a mid 90s Stephen King adaptation, Thinner sits alongside other cultish horror entries that blend urban legend with moral reckoning. Its premise of a cursed body echoes in later thrillers and remains a talking point for fans of Tom Holland and King collaborations.