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Salem's Lot: Stephen King's Vampire Tale Gets a Thrilling New Movie

If you are a fan of Stephen King, and his stories, there is no greater Halloween movie than "Salem’s Lot," and fans will enjoy these classic scary stories! You've probably seen this one before. Well, you get to see a brand new take on "Salem's Lot" from Max, in October 2024!

id="stephn-king-s-salems-lot">Stephn King's Salem's Lot

The movie, as Stephen King has been known for doing, includes his characters in ways that give us so many fascinating surprises and Easter Eggs! The film adaptation brings this well known Vampire series back with all the chills!

Also Read: Stephen King's Castle Rock: A Guide to the Hauntings of King's Literary Universe

The Production of the Film

Salem's Lot 1979 and 2024 posters side by side Image

For fans of horror it's not just about the great actors, and terrifying events but it's how well they made it. The film production took much longer, going through delays caused by COVID-19 and wrIter’s strike but in the end it all came together.

Also Read: Stephen King's Favorite Recent Movies: A Must-Watch List

Cast of Salem's Lot

Mike and Matt stare worriedly through a shelf in Salem's Lot 2024 Image
  • You've got the lead role as "Ben Mears" and in "Salem’s Lot" he stars as the main figure and will draw audiences in, too.
  • Lewis Pullman plays "Ben Mears," who brings his own magic to this show. Makenzie Leigh, "Susan Norton," adds to the action! This film has another powerful performance and another interesting turn is seeing Jordan Preston Carter play "Mark Petrie"
  • Fans of Alfre Woodard, known for a myriad of series will get to enjoy another memorable role.

In addition, some recognizable actors, known for horror films will join "Salem's Lot."

  • "Bill Camp," as "Matt Burke."
  • "John Benjamin Hickey," a talented star plays "Father Callahan," one of the best, haunting moments of this series.
Also Read: Carrie by Stephen King: A Horror Classic 50 Years Later

Easter Eggs:

It (2017) - Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise Image

If you're familiar with "Stephen King," there's going to be an entire collection of moments you might have never noticed! What might surprise you is how creative this series has become and these Easter Eggs really take you back in time and gives audiences so much fun! Here are a few easter eggs that fans will love to see:

Also Read: Italian Giallo: A Guide to the Thrilling Horror Subgenre

The Poster of Salem's Lot

Jordan Preston Carter as Mark Petrie in Salem's Lot 2024 on a background of vampires Image

For fans who love to go back in time, those that may have seen the "Salem’s Lot" miniseries from 1979 will have a great nostalgic moment. It looks just like a poster from Max!

  • Both movie posters will highlight the infamous Kurt Barlow.. A vampire who will make you scared to look up and make that chilling effect as it is slowly consuming a whole town.

It's so creepy as Barlow is watching. Both the Movie poster and the movie itself share a visual homage, that draws you in!

id="the-director"> The Director A screenshot from the Salem's Lot 2024 opening credits of a paper that reads Bangor Land Corp Image

Fans of horror are sure to recognize Gary Dauberman, a writer with tons of hits under his belt!

  • Dauberman's work will draw in fans as it brings back some classics in the genre!
  • From the "Annabelle" movie, Dauberman not only wrote the "Annabelle Comes Home." but even directed it!
  • You can even check out his "The Nun" movies! He was one of the writers!
  • The most recognizable hits, are going to be those that made the "It" movie!
  • He wrote both, "It," "It: Chapter Two" and is one of the reasons why the franchise became so popular with nearly a $1.2 billion box office!
id="bangor-land-corporation"> Bangor Land Corporation: Salem's Lot 2024 logo and title card Image

Get ready, the next Easter egg is super subtle! One of the really interesting things is how "Stephen King" connects all of his stories. The amazing stories are all intertwined. What we see here in "Salem’s Lot" is how the director and the screenwriter use the Bangor Land Corporation.

That might sound pretty random. It might just be another small town that is just the kind of thing that could pop up. You could even hear the word "Bangor." in the movie and hear about how it connects to Stephen King's world.

  • In real life, it is Stephen King’s real town of residence, located in Maine.
  • There's something to do with the family of this talented author. There's a special foundation called the "Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation!" The Foundation that honors these amazing authors is located there.
id="salems-lot-logo">Salem's Lot Logo:A newspaper in Salem's Lot showing the date of July 21, 1975 Image

This may be a subtle Easter egg, that some fans missed.

While those that like the traditional "Salem’s Lot" are sure to be taken back with a cool white title card. It seems that they wanted to stay more true to the classic film!

Those that paid attention got to see the end title card!

That has been more in the tradition of "Stephen King" and is another one of those throwbacks!

  • The title card featured "Jerusalem's Lot in this epic world.
  • It even got to feature an exciting reference in the original book!
id="setting-of-salems-lot"> Setting of Salem's Lot: A screenshot in Salem's Lot 2024 of a red and white Plymouth Fury Image

"Stephen King" writes some of the best classic stories, and many get re-imagined and adapted. If you've seen the "Salem's Lot" miniseries from 2004, it shows just how much is changing in his stories and how that is reflected in how they're presented. There is something that really ties together this latest Max series: It features a special, remarkable detail!

You will get the essence of the whole film when you learn about the era and the setting. The newest release was made in a truly special, nostalgic time!

  • "Salem’s Lot" brings to life, in a great way, this iconic, classic time. "Salem’s Lot (from the book) was set back in the mid 1970s!
  • There's a little something extra special. It ties in together a great era when it released!
  • That's right, the book first came out back on October 17, 1975. There's a whole lot to take in.

It seems that Stephen King just loves making sure to bring back his stories to a new age with even more incredible touches!

id="easter-egg-christine">Easter Egg: Christine William Sadler as Parkins Gillespie in Salem's Lot 2024 Image
  • One of the very first easter eggs for the audience! What appears early in the film?
  • It's a real, cool red, classic, Plymouth Fury.
  • There is one really awesome detail to pay close attention to, a color, bright red Plymouth Fury that's even got "wings. What is that? Well, it just so happens that the car, is known as "Christine"! "Stephen King" gave this vehicle life back in 1978

It's not hard to think, that it's just "Christine,", and she will return once again. Who knows. This vehicle was made around three years before its arrival in this iconic story. Fans can just enjoy the moment.

id="easter-egg-william-sadler">Easter Egg: William SadlerMark Petrie wearing a Creature from the Black Lagoon shirt in Salem's Lot 2024 Image

Fans who have watched any Stephen King series. Make sure to look close and watch what kind of Easter Eggs might pop up!

  • "Salem’s Lot," will feature this awesome, familiar, and well-known character actor! What’s most impressive is William Sadler's appearance in multiple movies!

William Sadler has this really interesting thing. He appears to be a regular actor who is often in some really popular Stephen King projects. It's been happening for years!

  • This is even the actor’s fourth appearance in a Stephen King series! If that wasn’t enough.
id="mark-petrie-and-classic-horror">Mark Petrie and Classic HorrorA shot of monster sticker's on a record player in Salem's Lot 2024 Image

One of the first appearances, is Mark Petrie! It is an important part of this story! This young character gets his first, scary experience, but his story is super compelling, and also reveals some very cool classic movies! It shows that even though the town is really under the spell of this vampire terror. Mark was so focused on things, that this might just have helped him out.

The director and writers have had lots of success.

  • You might see "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" in "Salem's Lot." He was spotted in the credits and also appeared in the opening sequence!
  • "Mark Petrie's" room even features the iconic "Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Phantom of the Opera." They are all in some truly unique, special figurines. Even the graveyard has its own presence in the room!.
  • "Trog" was even in the mix with an awesome "Mark Petrie’s" room showing off just how this monster movie lover knew all the coolest movie monsters!

If you are a fan of "Mark Petrie,", make sure to give "Salem’s Lot," a look, and you are sure to have an amazing experience.

id="salems-lot-and-merrils-photo"> Salem’s Lot And Merrils' Photo: A shot of a boy standing in front of a Trog poster in Salem's Lot 2024 Image

A "Stephen King" story wouldn't be complete with another cameo!

There's even more to see in "Salem’s Lot"

The story has another really awesome element! When Ben Mears gets a look around his town, he discovers something else.

  • Merrill’s Photo is located at one of the shops in "Salem's Lot!" It's super recognizable if you follow Stephen King's work!
  • Fans know "Ace Merrill," but "Merrill’s Photo," may also ring a bell for fans.

What is it connected to, you may ask? The amazing "Pop" who ran "The Emporium Galorium," and one of those truly incredible locations, and he died due to an exploding camera that happened back in "Stephen King’s" world!

id="danny-glick-and-red-balloons">Danny Glick and Red BalloonsA shot of a street in Salem's Lot 2024 Image

A haunting moment in the series, fans will immediately make a connection when they hear about a "red balloon!" When they catch a glimpse of Danny Glick’s room!

  • A moment from one of "Stephen King's" most well known works! You will not forget, "Pennywise," also known as "It!" from that famous story that gave so many children and fans those goosebumps!

This iconic story! "It," will forever remain in our memories and even those that just heard the stories will get a powerful memory of what the horror and wonder of this iconic work really was.

id="easter-egg-danny-glick">Easter Egg: Danny Glick Mark next to the Marsten House in Salem's Lot Image

Fans are always excited for a great, horrifying visual scene and in this particular Adaptation it doesn't disappoint.

  • There's an extra special moment as "Danny Glick," becomes a vampire. This occurs in this series, a scene involving a kid at Mark's window! If that wasn't spooky enough you get that haunting sense of a child who's now been possessed by an ancient power that looks scary!
  • "Stephen King" did such an amazing job capturing just how horrifying the whole scenario is.
  • In fact, those who love this genre, you are sure to find so much!
  • In another classic, horror movie series, you can see some truly unique connections.

The scene and the image. Is something everyone remembers as "Danny" hovers over that window! This part will give fans a real shock! It also adds to this amazing collection that looks so remarkable.

id="glowing-eyes-of-vampires">Glowing Eyes of Vampires Danny Glick standing in his room at night in Salem's Lot 2024 Image

You've seen the image, or maybe haven't quite had a chance to get into it. Fans are loving those vampire eyes and it comes down to the inspiration from Tobe Hooper's 1979 "Salem’s Lot", and this awesome version in this movie!

  • Fans of horror films may even see this one as more special since the producer wanted to add an extra piece from this iconic series to their creation. Gary Dauberman, also brings back elements from Stephen King’s world "Doctor Sleep", so to speak. What this ultimately is. There are so many influences. This one takes viewers back and honors that earlier "Salem's Lot,", bringing it back in its new version!

If you think there might be a problem blending all of those ideas! Well, you will discover that there's nothing too shocking about Stephen King, and even those who have made big films such as "It" did a remarkable job bringing those influences. Fans have grown to love the new visuals and they are something that really comes to life in this classic series! It is part of what makes Stephen King such a legend. He creates an atmosphere that pulls the audiences into the moment. If that isn't enough, there is also that "horror lore". Fans will remember that a "Type One" vampire is the only one who has glowing eyes.

id="mark-petrie-s-horror-comic">Mark Petrie's Horror ComicVampire Danny Glick hovering outside Mark Petrie's window in Salem's Lot 2024 Image

It appears "Stephen King," is not only a gifted writer! But has been inspired to bring to the world so much. King's influence includes an entire library of his beloved comics! Those who really get a thrill out of his books have another easter egg to get excited about!

In the series "Salem’s Lot". There's that iconic character "Mark Petrie", the one who had some wild, amazing adventures that truly made this show interesting and gripping.

  • Mark really brings it to life in the series and when you take a look at his surroundings! We've been brought back in time, which is what made "Salem's Lot," such a cool experience!
  • Those that love "Stephen King" are sure to recognize this classic comic, "EC Comics", one of his greatest inspirations.
id="father-callahan">Father Callahan:Matt Burke standing with his back to a vampiric Mike Ryerson in Salem's Lot 2024 Image

When it comes to stories you will find more than just your regular villain. In "Stephen King," there's always going to be another dimension and another perspective that fans should always keep in mind, especially if the world is full of vampires! "Father Callahan" is a truly unique and compelling, and very human character in this iconic story!

It's a book that not only gives audiences those goosebumps, but a truly compelling, complex view of one person and their struggles to do what is right. You get to see the special story.

And with a great look, they added a unique, powerful touch! "Father Callahan". Is in the process of doing some big thinking, while he's reading "Dracula"! And there is something super cool about this! He takes us through this story, one that is going to inspire him and allow audiences to have some chills as they see this classic character really dive into these terrifying events, just as "Stephen King" had the original vision.

The visual nod, is a great way to really showcase a powerful aspect to "Salem’s Lot," as this newest Adaptation shows a lot of similarity.

id="a-familiar-scare"> A Familiar Scare:The cover of an old pulp comic in Salem's Lot 2024 Image

When you think about these classic characters, it's the little details that can give us the chills! And it doesn't get better when we have the child-like figures coming back. Stephen King, really captures how the haunting moments of children's fears really impact all of those who experience those feelings!

  • When "Mark Petrie" tries to avoid "Kurt Barlow," the kids that were turned into vampires give those classic "creepy" words. "Play With Us, Mark."

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