The trailer for Salem’s Lot gives us a taste of the latest adaptation of Stephen King’s work. After years of delays, the horror remake – most of which took place in 2021 – is finally ready for release.
The upcoming movie Salem’s Lot adapts King’s second novel published in 1975. The story follows a writer who attempts to save his hometown from a dangerous vampire threat.
The film’s cast includes Makenzie Leigh, Alfre Woodard, William Sadler, and Top Gun’s Lewis Pullman: Maverick. King opened up about the movie’s delay in February, stating that the movie was pretty good and he didn’t understand why WB was delaying it.
1. Salem’s Lot Trailer Serves Deep Horror Impressions
The trailer features Ben Mears’ character as he returns to his hometown. However, the seemingly tranquil countryside turns sinister as night falls, when a gravedigger hears knocking sounds from inside a coffin, signaling an impending vampire threat. The end of the trailer also shows various horror scenes, including the iconic moment where a vampire child hovers in front of a window.tephen
The release of this trailer confirms that Stephen King’s latest film will finally be released in the manner it deserves after years of pent-up excitement. In addition, an announcement regarding the official release date was also made by Max.
The film is directed by Gary Dauberman, a filmmaker who has experience in adapting Stephen King’s works to the big screen. In addition to serving as a writer and executive producer on various projects in the Conjuring Universe, Dauberman also wrote King’s 2017 film adaptation, It, as well as its 2019 sequel, Chapter Two.
2. Salem’s Lot Synopsis
Based on Stephen King’s novel published in 1975, “Salem’s Lot” tells the story of Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman), a successful writer who returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot to write his new novel, inspired by an experience he had in an empty house in the town.
His arrival coincides with the purchase of the house by Kurt Barlow (William Sadler), an ancient vampire disguised as Richard Straker (Pilou Asbæk) to turn the townspeople. As more and more residents transform into vampires, Mears and friends are trapped and struggle to survive.
Salem’s Lot was not the first adapted version of the novel. Four years after its release, the book was turned into a two-part miniseries that aired on CBS and starred David Soul as Mears, who earned three Emmy Awards nominations.
A feature film sequel to the miniseries, titled “A Return to Salem’s Lot,” was released in 1987. The most recent miniseries adaptation featuring Rob Lowe premiered on TNT in 2004. In 2021, Epix broadcast “Chapelwaite,” a series inspired by King’s prequel short story “Jerusalem’s Lot,” featuring Adrien Brody and Emily Hampshire.
3. Cast List and Showtimes
In addition to Pullman, Sadler, and Asbæk, the film also features Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton, Ben’s girlfriend; Bill Camp in the role of high school teacher Matthew Burke; Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody; Spencer Treat Clark as Mike Ryerson, the gravedigger; and John Benjamin Hickey as Father Callahan, the town priest who would later become the central character in King’s book series “The Dark Tower.”
The film was first announced in 2019 and was planned to be released in theaters in September 2022. However, the schedule experienced several delays and eventually moved to the Max platform. Salem’s Lot will premiere on Max on October 3, 2024.
