The horror genre has been responsible for creating some of the most memorable movies ever made. Classics such asThe Exorcist,The Shining, andIthave stayed in audiences' memories long after the credits rolled. Stephen King, a name synonymous with horror fans, has had many of his books adapted to films over the years, including one of his first novels, 1979’sSalem’s Lot. It tells the story of vampires infesting a small town and wreaking havoc on its community. Although it has been adapted a couple of times, directorGary Dauberman’s version ofSalem’s Loton HBO Max is the first adaptation in 20 years.
Game Rant caught up with Alfre Woodard (who plays Dr. Cody) and Spencer Treat Clark (who plays Mike Ryerson) in thisHBO Maxadaptation. These seasoned actors already have many big projects on their resumes, with Woodard working on movies such asThe Lion KingandCaptain America: Civil War, while Clark isknown for his roles inGladiator,Unbreakable, and more recently its sequel,Glass. They discussed their feelings on working in the horror genre, how it differs from other genres, and how the movie’s setting helped bring their performances to life.
Salem’s Lot Cast on Why Working on Horror is So Much Fun
Many actors like to avoid being typecast, so wherever possible they look for varied roles, with some preferring to be taken out of their comfort zone entirely.Salem’s Lot, while undoubtedlya horror movie, is a story about a small group of people banding together to protect their neighborhood from the threat of the undead. This mix of drama and horror allows a degree of freedom for the actors seeking said variety, and Woodard was keen to point out just how important that was while filming Dr. Cody’s scenes:
‘‘As a little kid, I always got sent outside to play. Before we had all this technology, you made up stuff to keep yourself entertained. Characters, worlds, my friends and I believed it all. Doing horror is the quintessential ‘go outside and play.’ There’s so much freedom and fun in horror movies.’’
Of course, as well as the fact that the horror genre gives the actors more creative freedom, the movie’s setting is also incredibly important.Salem’s Lotwas originally released in 1979, and this modern installment has chosen to remain faithful to that element of the story by keeping it set in the 1970s. The town of Salem’s Lot slowlysuccumbs to the vampire threatas the movie goes on, and Clark discussed how even the times of year that they filmed had a role to play in ensuring the setting was just right:
‘‘We filmed in the fall. There are locations that we used in early September when everything was green, but then, paralleling the decay of the town, by the time we finished shooting, the leaves had fallen, and the trees were bare. That makes a real difference to us actors.’’
Each adaptation ofSalem’s Lotbrings something new to the story, and it seems that this one will be no different. Keeping the novel’s original setting and feel, the movie is a stylish reimagining of King’s beloved book that should satiate fans of the original. It may even introduce some new ones too.
Salem’s Lot, based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, will stream on Max on October 3.
