Everyone in Castle Rock is curious and thrilled when a new antique shop, called Needful Things, opens its doors. The shop has something for everyone, and its owner, a charming man named Leland Gaunt, seems to know exactly what people desire. He only asks a small favor as the price of his trinkets--that the buyer plays a meaningless trick on one of their neighbors. However, the pranks quickly get out of hand, causing two of the local women to brutally murder each other and the town to erupt with incidents of brutal violence. The only man seemingly unaffected by Leland Gaunt's charm is the town sheriff, Alan Pangborn, who starts a one man crusade to rid the town of this enchanting madman. An explosive confrontation finally brings the town back to its senses and rids it of this evil influence.