The long wait is over for Stephen King fans: the adaptation of ‘Salem’s Lot has finally unveiled its first trailer, along with a premiere date set for October 3 on Max. Directed, written, and executive produced by Gary Dauberman, known for his work on Annabelle Comes Home, the film is a chilling adaptation of King’s 1975 bestseller.
The story centers on Ben Mears, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, a writer who returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine, in search of inspiration. However, Mears soon uncovers a sinister presence in the town—Kurt Barlow, an ancient Austrian vampire slowly turning the residents into an army of the undead. Alongside old and new friends, Mears must confront the growing horror before it consumes the entire town.
The film boasts a strong cast, including Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody, Fedna Jacquet as June Petrie, and Jordan Preston Carter as Mark Petrie. The film also stars Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton, Bill Camp as Matthew Burke, Spencer Treat Clark as Mike Ryerson, and Pilou Asbæk as Straker, and John Benjamin Hickey is cast as Father Callahan.
Dauberman’s adaptation stays true to the eerie heart of King’s novel while adding fresh elements that promise to enhance the terror. One standout addition is the use of a drive-in theater—a perfect blend of nostalgia and dread, as drive-ins only operate after dark, making them an ideal haunt for vampires on the prowl. But rest assured, the hallmarks of ‘Salem’s Lot remain intact: the quaint town with dark secrets, a mysterious mansion on the hill, and the chilling image of a vampire lurking at a window, begging to be let in.
Produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster, alongside Michael Clear, Roy Lee, and Mark Wolper, the film has faced numerous delays. Initially announced in 2019 with plans for a theatrical release, Salem’s Lot was first postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later delayed by Warner Bros. Discovery’s cost-cutting measures, which also affected other major projects like the nearly finished Batgirl movie. Despite these challenges, the film has garnered praise from King himself, who described it as “old-school horror filmmaking: slow build, big payoff.”
This isn’t the first time Salem’s Lot has been adapted. The novel was first brought to life in a 1979 TV miniseries directed by Tobe Hooper, followed by a 1987 theatrical sequel, and a 2004 miniseries with a star-studded cast. The BBC also adapted it into a 1995 radio drama. Additionally, King’s short story Jerusalem’s Lot, a prequel to the novel, inspired the 2021 TV series Chapelwaite starring Adrien Brody.
As the countdown is on, Max has released a series of new images from the upcoming adaptation, showcasing the eerie atmosphere and compelling performances fans can expect.
