Stephen King’s 1975 vampire tale is finally coming to streaming this fall
A Stephen King vampire film that’s been buried for years is finally waking up from the grave this year.
One of horror‘s greatest veterans, King has been the creative mind behind many classic, frightful tales whether it’s The Shining‘s once-loving dad-turned twisted murderer or It‘s killer clown.
The GOAT of horror. (Ulf Andersen/Getty Images)
While there are a slew of film and TV adaptations of King’s beloved novels — admittedly, some greater than others — one of his most underrated books is finally seeing the light of day after being thrown into an indefinite purgatorial realm for a few years.
A vampire story, King’s 1975 novel Salem’s Lot is being adapted into a film that will be releasing on Max (formerly known as HBO Max) this October.
The story follows a writer named Ben Mears who returns to his childhood town of Jerusalem’s Lot (Salem’s Lot for short) in Maine, and soon discovers that its residents are turning into vampires. The book was nominated for the World Fantasy Award in 1976, and the Locus Award for the All-Time Best Fantasy Novel in 1987.
Salem’s Lot was previously adapted into a 1979 miniseries. (Warner Bros.)
Salem’s Lot tells such a gripping story that it was previously adapted for TV not once, but twice, with its first rendition airing as a two-part miniseries on CBS in 1979. And its second in 2004 for TNT.
The film adaptation was actually slated to release in September 2022, but was delayed by Warner Bros. at the last moment. The sudden change was caused in large part due to restructuring at Warner Bros. Discovery that led to other notable titles, like Batgirl and Looney Tunes comedy Coyote vs. Acme, getting scrapped for tax write-offs.
Fans, and even King, were evidently worried that Salem’s Lot would be getting the same treatment, with the acclaimed author writing on Twitter earlier this year: “Between you and me, Twitter, I’ve seen the new Salem’s Lot and it’s quite good. Old-school horror filmmaking: slow build, big payoff.
Gary Dauberman is writing and directing. (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Warner Bros)
“Not sure why [Warner Bros.] is holding it back; not like it’s embarrassing, or anything. Who knows. I just write the f*****g things.”
Luckily for all of us, Salem’s Lot is finally releasing this year and will be streaming on Max this October, just in time for Halloween.
While no specific release date has been announced, Gary Dauberman is acting as the film’s writer and director after previously working on It and It: Chapter 2. So basically, we’re in good hands.
Speaking to Variety, Dauberman shared, “I’m excited it’s finally getting out there and people can see it.”
Featured Image Credit: Ulf Andersen/Getty Images / Warner Bros.
