When it comes to guys likeStephen King, film and TV adaptations area dime a dozen. It might be hard to believe, but for every novel or short story that the king of horror has churned out, aridiculous number of screen iterationshave followed in their wake. This is for good reason, too. King basically prints money. There are the groundbreakingItfilms (bothin terms of ’90s TV scaresand box office records),severalCarriemovies, a fewShining-related projects (some better than others), and the endlessly resurrectablePet Semetaryfranchise. Then you have odd cornerslike theChildren of the Cornmovies, which started out based on a King short story, only to venture off into eleven sequels of bastardized garbage horror. Whether we’re taking things back to the source or venturing far away from his own words, King’s works have proven to bethe gifts that keep on giving. Still, there remain many corners that haven’t quite gotten their dues. Some have gotten close with projects likeThe Standor theDark Towerseries, only to end up with a few TV miniseries oratrocious big-screen adaptations. Those properties at least have the excuse of maybe being too big for their britches. You know what story doesn’t have any excuse?Salem’s Lot.
Now you might be thinking — “Wait a minute,Salem’s Lothas been made, right? A few times, too!” Well, yes.Tobe Hooper’s 1979 two-part TV movie is the best of the bunch. It’s perfectly charming for what it is butdoesn’t quite tap intothe chilling nature of King’s sophomore novel. As for titles likeAReturn toSalem’s Lotor the 2004Rob Lowe-ledSalem’s Lotminiseries… the less we say, the better. Weirdly enough, the closest that anyone has come to achieving that trueLotlevel of scares would have to be 2021’sChapelwaite. While it’s not exactlySalem’s Lotproper, it is based on a short story prequel titled"Jerusalem’s Lot," included in the author’s short story collection,Night Shift.Chapelwaitemight not sound like theSalem’s Lotscreen fix that you’re looking for, but its gothic,19th-century setting, slow-burn dread, and fantasticAdrien Brodyperformance at the centermake this one of the most underrated King adaptations to date.
This Landmark Stephen King Adaptation Is Coming To Max in October
The movie starred Tim Curry as the most famous Stephen King villain.
‘Salem’s Lot’ is Back With a Long-Awaited Movie Adaptation
If you’re unfamiliar withSalem’sLot, now is a fantastic time to get acquainted. In short, this 1975 novel is King’s modernized take on the classic vampire story. It follows Ben Mears, an author who returns for a short stay in his hometown of Salem’s Lot in search of inspiration for his next book. Things turn sinister when Mears discovers thatvampires are quickly taking over the town. King combines small-town Americana with a heavy dose ofBram Stoker’s gothic touch. Top it off with a healthy serving of the author’s signature brand of bloodshed and lack of mercy and you have one of his grimmest-yet-coziest novels. Classics likeIt, The Stand, andThe Shiningtypically top people’s King rankings, but in the eyes of this author,Salem’s Lotmight be his best.
King fans everywhere arestoked for the upcomingSalem’s Lotadaptation. After a series of disappointing start-stop developments, a quiet production, andyears spent in release purgatory, this movie is finally coming out… on Max. While that’s a bit disappointing, it feels like a miracle that we’re even seeing directorGary Dauberman’s take in the first place. After that much time spent on the shelf, audiences have been concerned about its quality. It’s a blessing that this movie is coming out, so maybe we should all take a chill pill and have some fun. Plus, at the end of the day, no matter how it turns out, we’ll always haveChapelwaite.
‘Chapelwaite’ Is an Underrated ‘Salem’s Lot’ TV Prequel Series
It’s more than likely that you’re unfamiliar with the little-seen 2021 miniseriesChapelwaite. Don’t feel bad — many are. This show premiered in August 2021 on Epix and aired all ten episodes leading up to Halloween,only to quietly and quickly fade into obscurity. It’s an unfortunate fate, consideringthe series clearly could have continuedfor more than its sole season.
But what isChapelwaiteactually about? It’s notSalem’s Lotproper, so what exactly is this series? Well, first off,it takes place over 100 yearsbefore its better-known counterpart. The series follows Charles Boone (Brody), who moves home after the death of his wife and moves with his familyto their small hometownin Maine. Unbeknownst to them, this is where vampires (and more — featuring worm babies?!) lurk. So yeah, it’sSalem’s Lotbut with a19th century gothic horror flare. There’s not much aboutChapelwaitethatfeels wholly hallmark “King.“You don’t get that classic 20th century Americana, kids on bikes, or the seedy side of our everyday life. This is like diving into aDraculaseries; it just happens to take place in North America and, more specifically, the same world asLot.
In short,Chapelwaiterocks. It’s full of fantastic performances, whether in the form of a criminally underrated Brody role or supporting figures likeEmily HampshireandJulian Richings. You can’t overlook its atmosphere either. This series is the spooky fix that old-school horror fans everywhere are looking for. Every frame is coated in fog, everybody and everything is covered in dirt and grime, andthe sun is hardly anywhere to be found. And hey, for more bloodthirsty horror fans, there’s ahefty dose of goreto be found here and there. This old schoolLothas something for everyone!
‘Chapelwaite’ Is Based on Stephen King’s Short Story Prequel, “Jerusalem’s Lot”
For most,Chapelwaitewill sound like a random addition to Stephen King’s world, but it’s pulled straight from the man himself. This series is based on a short story titled “Jerusalem’s Lot"from his 1978 collection,Night Shift. In it, King throws on his best Bram Stoker Halloween costume and takes ona fullDracula-esque framework. LikeChapelwaite,Jerusalem’s Lottells the story of Charles Boone, but instead of telling it in a conventional narrative, the story is told through journal entries and letters.It also shows a different side to King’s vampire universe. Like its 2021 television counterpart,Jerusalem’s Lottakes time to creep readers out almost exclusively with atmosphere. King is often noted by his critics as an author who aims for cheap scares and shocking gore. Real fans know this man is a much more multi-faceted author than these haters give him credit for. He’s written some of the most famous dramas of his time, includingRita Hayworth,Shawshank Redemption, andThe Body(you know,Stand By Me). There’s no doubt that he knows how to kill some suckers in some pretty gruesome ways, but King’s truest knack is for creating a killer vibe and writing incredibly memorable characters. Given “Jerusalem’s Lot” is a short prequel to a pretty rich novel, Charles Boone doesn’t necessarily have to be the most memorable character in the world for the story to work.This thing is a treat for anyone and everyone looking forthat old-school vampire horror vibetopped off with a little King flare.
If you’re a fan ofSalem’s Lot, you’re looking for a classic vampire story, or you’re just in the mood for something spooky this October,Chapelwaiteis the series for you. It’s not going to change your life, but it’s a solid, short series that will more than deliver in chills and terrifying ghouls. Give it a shot, and dive into “Jerusalem’s Lot” to see a different side of King’s horror chops.
Chapelwaite
Chapelwaiteis now available to watch on MGM+ in the U.S.
Rent It Now
