Most horror movie fans are looking forward to the upcoming 2024 adaptation of Salem’s Lot. Based on Stephen King’s 1975 novel, the film shifts focus back to vampire horrors with new technologies at play, following the footsteps of earlier adaptations from 1979 and 2004. The film’s production is by New Line Cinema and it is written and directed by Gary Dauberman, who previously worked on It and Annabelle Comes Home.
Still, the film has undergone multiple postponements which has left the fans desperate for it.
Plot Overview
The plot kicks off with a writer Ben Mears who is coming back to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine, to seek inspiration for his new book. To his dismay, something awful is controlling the town’s residents and making life there increasingly difficult.
His ancient vampire companion, who goes by Kurt Barlow, and his human servant, Richard Straker, have taken over the town after shifting into the deserted Marsten House. A dark cloud is now hanging over the town. As the tentatively angry town folks start to disappear suspiciously, Ben Musters some soldiers for the grotesque show of town devouring vampires that he has come to.
King’s work of literature is well known for its gradual approach towards horror, focus on the setting, and frightening version of vampires as evil figures, unlike the more modernized and romanticized spins on the vampires in contemporary fiction.
Main Cast And Characters
Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick, Bad Times at the El Royale) as Ben Mears
Makenzie Leigh (Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk) as Susan Norton
Bill Camp (Joker, The Queen’s Gambit) as Matthew Burke
Spencer Treat Clark (Glass, Gladiator) as Mike Ryerson
Alfre Woodard (Annabelle, Luke Cage) as Dr. Cody
Pilou Asbæk (Game of Thrones, Overlord) as Richard Straker
William Sadler (The Mist, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey) in an undisclosed role
Asbæk’s casting as Straker is particulary interesting. The intensity he showed as Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones and in Overlord makes him a perfect fit to play Barlow’s creepy and conniving human servant.
One big unanswered question concerns who will play Kurt Barlow, the movie’s horrifying vampire villain. Barlow has been reinterpreted in previous adaptations; a Nosferatu- style monster (1979) and a more human-like seductive vampire (2004). People will expect the film adaptation to possess old “Barlow’s charm”, but any reader King’s novel knows he is likely to be an ancient evil as opposed to charming vampires encountered in other media.
Behind The Scenes & Production
Director/Writer: Gary Dauberman (It, The Nun, Annabelle Comes Home)
Producers: James Wan, Michael Clear (Atomic Monster Productions)
Studio: New Line Cinema
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Gary Dauberman’s work on It (2017) makes him a strong contender for the adaption of Salem’s Lot. Small-town horror, supernatural fiction, and Stephen Kings’ style of storytelling are difficult to work within, yet he has proven his ability to tackle those challenges.
As we get to early 2024, there is no confirmed date for the movie whicb leads to speculation that it will be going straight to streaming might instead of with theatrrs. The film initially was is skipping the screening phase entirely and going straight to streaming HBO max. The films planned premiere back in September 2022 kept being delayed because of numerous COVID-19 related complications and changes to WB’s release strategy.
What To Expect
Salem’s Lot is set to steer away from the modern trend of romanticizing vampires,. As with most superheros, these bloodsuckers are far from capable of being human. Some important details to look forward towards include:
The gautingly shocking revelation at the end of the movie or tv series is something I expect would take the best of any sane person out there. The film will likely put emphasis on the environment and setting, slowly revealing the town with Rage and the horror associated with goes along with it, much like It (2017) did,.
Gothic horrors from the past – Creepy Marsten House Sets the Stage for an Ominous Tale of Vampires.
Scary vampires – If the film stays true to King’s novel, Barlow will not be a heartfelt and sympathetic character. Instead, he will be a disgusting and horrifying Nosferatu-style vampire.
Horrific brutal moments – Looking at the things that James Wan has produced, we know that we can expect severe scares, gruesome changeovers, and breath- stealing tension.
Movies That Are Similar and Can Be Watched While Waiting for Salem’s Lot (2024)
- Salem’s Lot (1979) – The First Version Ever Made.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Tobe Hooper, was the director of this cult classic. There is a reason to why it has became so ripped for – its portrayal of vampires sets an uncanny vibe and terrifying twist to the usual expected.
The scene of the vampire child dangling at the window and the subsequent scenes add to the charm of the film, adding to the already iconic moments of horror.
- 30 Days of Night (2007)
Like Salem’s Lot, this film has put vampires into the heart of the Alaskan Realm. The story set in a town in Alaska, during a complete month of darkness, is filled with brutal and relentless vampire action. The fake aren’t gentle and romantic. A sharp contrast to vampires being love figures.
- It (2017 & 2019)
Another rendition of Stephen King’s tale which combines supernatural horror, small towns, and the struggles faced in childhood.
Since Salem’s Lot incorporates elements that are similar to what King writes about, fans of It would most likely enjoy the uncomfortable feeling of dread in the small town of Salem’s Lot.
Midnight Mass (2021, Netflix)
Mike Flanagan’s limited series takes a lot from the Salem’s Lot narrative, It tells the story of a small town that is gradually taken over by a vampire.
This is definitely recommended if you love horror that covers deep character exploration and have a philosophical attachment to it.
Let The Right One In (2008)
It is horror combined with emotional depth and tells a new and fresh version of a vampire tale.
Similar to the themes in Salem’s Lot, it starts to delve into the deeper darker predatory world of vampires and take away the glamour.
Final Thoughts: Why Salem’s Lot (2024) Could Be One Of The Best Vampire Films In Years
What gives Salem’s Lot hope to good cinematic value is the King of horror himself Stephen King. Who would not want that paired with heavy hitter horror director New Line Cinema? With all of that, it could and should be a chilling and netherworld, atmospheric return to classic vampire horror.
If the film manages to reflect the creeping horror of the book, it could very well prove be stand alongside It (2017) as the best modern King adaptations. But the lack of assurance of a release date along with other factors has, unfortunately, made many fans worried about what might happen to the film.