PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Salem’s Lot is a two-part miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 horror novel of the same name. Directed by Tobe Hooper, known for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), it tells the chilling story of a small town in Maine called Jerusalem’s Lot (nicknamed “Salem’s Lot”), which gradually falls prey to a vampire infestation. Though many may enjoy the 2024 version directed by Gary Dauberman, any remake has stiff competition
Similar to how Hooper gave us “Leatherface” and horror that felt shockingly real in the original Chain Saw, this movie gives plenty of iconic freaky vampire moments and feels surprisingly realistic, given how far-fetched it is. The plot follows Ben Mears (David Soul), a writer who returns to Salem’s Lot to work on a novel about the eerie Marsten House, a local mansion with a dark history. Soon, Mears discovers that the new owner of the mansion, Richard Straker (James Mason), is connected to mysterious disappearances and deaths around town.
He learns that Straker is preparing the way for his master, a centuries-old, bad-ass looking vampire named Kurt Barlow (Reggie Nalder), who plans to turn the townspeople into his undead minions. With the help of a few allies (chief among them, Mark Petrie, played by Lance Kerwin), Mears attempts to thwart Barlow’s evil plans, but the town quickly falls under the vampire’s curse. The 1979 miniseries stands out for its atmospheric tension and unsettling horror.
The Mood of Salem’s Lot
Unlike some more graphic horrors flicks, Salem’s Lot relies heavily on mood, suspense, and eerie visuals to convey dread. In fact, it’s easy to watch it and forget there isn’t actually much blood and gore. Also, despite not being a faster-paced film, it does not drag.
One of its most iconic scenes features a young vampire floating outside a window, scratching the glass in a hypnotic attempt to lure his next victim — an image that remains memorable in horror history.
Though made for television, the series received praise for its suspenseful direction and faithful adaptation of King’s work, bringing the vampire myth to a small-town American setting. And here is that iconic, freaky moment. This is not like Melissa Ethridge’s “Come to My Window” sentiment, is it?
The success of Salem’s Lot paved the way for later King adaptations, demonstrating the viability of horror miniseries on television. The series was later remade in 2004 with Rob Lowe in the lead role, and the more recent 2024 flick, though the original remains a fan favorite for its classic horror approach and dedication to the source material.
Go ahead and check out these vampires! Then again, maybe they’ll come to you, in the dead of night, tapping on your window and begging to get in. Don’t be inhumane! They are cold out there.
