\”The spooky season has finally arrived, bringing with it the release of the latest adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 vampire novel Salem’s Lot on Max. io9 recently spoke with writer-director Gary Dauberman, known for his work in the horror genre through projects like the Conjuring Universe, to discuss his approach to adaptations, his love for drive-in movie theaters, and what’s next for him.
Dauberman compared the journey of getting Salem’s Lot to a streaming release on Max to being blindfolded in a car on a bumpy road, unsure of the destination. Despite the challenges, he is glad that audiences can finally see the film. When it came to adapting such a dense book, Dauberman focused on crystallizing the core elements and characters while still hinting at other stories within the town.
One aspect that was de-emphasized in this adaptation was the history of the Marsten House and Ben Mears’ backstory. Dauberman explained that some details were included but had to be diminished to focus on other aspects of the story. He also discussed how the 1970s setting and the drive-in theater were inspired choices for the film, as well as the unique visual representation of faith through glowing crosses.
Overall, Dauberman’s take on Salem’s Lot brings a fresh perspective to the classic vampire tale, staying true to the essence of the book while making it his own.\”