Gary Dauberman, the mastermind behind the chilling tale "Annabelle," dives headfirst into the heart of Stephen King's iconic canon with the electrifying first trailer for "Salem's Lot," slithering onto Max on October 3rd. Drawing inspiration from King's seminal 1975 novel, this adaptation weaves a web of terror around Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman), a renowned writer who returns to his roots in Jerusalem's Lot, seeking inspiration for his next masterpiece amidst the shadows of an abandoned house.
Little does he know, his arrival coincides with the sinister arrival of Kurt Barlow (William Sadler), an ageless vampire who cunningly employs Richard Straker (Pilou Asbæk), his human pawn, to transform the tranquil town into a blood-soaked nightmare. As the veil of darkness descends, turning more and more of its inhabitants into undead monsters, Mears and his brave allies find themselves locked in a desperate battle for survival.
The ensemble cast shines brightly, with Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton, Ben's romantic interest, and Bill Camp as Matthew Burke, the steadfast high school teacher. Alfre Woodard adds depth as Dr. Cody, while Spencer Treat Clark chills as gravedigger Mike Ryerson. John Benjamin Hickey steps into the robes of Father Callahan, a pivotal character in King's "The Dark Tower" series, lending a sense of spiritual conflict to the fray.
First announced in 2019 with theatrical aspirations for September 2022, "Salem's Lot" has endured a series of delays, ultimately finding its sinister home on Max. Dauberman, who penned the scripts for "It" and "It: Chapter Two," now adds directorial flair to his repertoire, having also helmed the "Annabelle" trilogy and "The Nun." He's joined by James Wan, the visionary behind the "Conjuring" universe, as producer, ensuring that every moment drips with unease.
But this isn't the first time "Salem's Lot" has haunted screens. A two-part CBS miniseries in 1979, starring David Soul, garnered Emmy nods, while a 1987 film sequel and a 2004 TNT miniseries kept the legacy alive. In 2021, Epix delved into King's prequel short story "Jerusalem's Lot" with "Chapelwaite," starring Adrien Brody and Emily Hampshire.
Now, prepare to be engulfed by the terror anew as "Salem's Lot" premieres exclusively on Max on October 3rd. Experience the full trailer below, and brace yourself for the ultimate nightmare to come.
