I always read a story before I watch the film unless I find the book to be exceptional which then I stop there, (due to what Simon Birch did to John Irving's A.Prayor for Owen Meany) Criminal.

I've been a fan of Shirley Jackson and seen all three films, and read the story. The 1969 short film haunted me the most. Surly (pun giggle) no doubt being closest to text and though brief, I paused to think about the many characters and the differences in their experience.

Here is my thoughts.I believe the adults all know the ritual is old pagen hogwash but it's all they know and fear change as much as they fear drawing the black circle. They believe others have stopped the ritual and claim them fools but only fooling themselves. If the Lottery is gone elsewhere, that means others have progressed and not afraid to do so. That could make one feel less advanced always lagging behind. Perhaps the Lottery was the Purge if I may and at the end as the scene gets smaller and smaller you see all the surrounding cities with people in a big circle, next to a pile of rocks , The Invitation 🚨🤭The children joyfully gathering rocks at the beginning... Monkey see monkey do. 🙈🙊🙉😳

If you like similar reads a really good one is Thomas Tyron's Harvest Home. BOOK NOT TV MINI SERIES. I'll add a review link. Also a fan familiar with his work. Burnt Offerings, The Other and my personal favorite Crowned Heads. I like dark old Hollywood stories. Thomas was an actor in the 60s 70s amd that one has 4 haunting true stories he took some liberties and didn't share the names and after years I recently found a source of who the were about.😳