Max's adaptation of Salem's Lot both follows the original Stephen King novel and significantly deviates from it in some areas, but it's not clear what year the movie is set in, and whether it's the same in the book. Salem's Lot is one of Stephen King's most important novels for a couple of key reasons. There are several Stephen King books that tie into or reference Salem's Lot, and it was one of the author's earliest and most successful works. For those reasons, the timeline of Salem's Lot is rather important in both the real world and within the story itself.
From the time Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) first returned to his hometown to the ending of Salem's Lot, there wasn't much indication of when the story took place. There were some general clues, like the types of cars present around Jerusalem's Lot, the clothes characters wore, and more, but given it was a small town, it easily could have been just a bit behind the times. While an exact date wasn't very easy to find, Salem's Lot does definitively prove when it takes place, and it's very true to Stephen King's original novel.
Max's Salem's Lot Movie Is Set In 1975
Stephen King's Original Novel Was Also Set In 1975
Max's adaptation of Salem's Lot takes place in the fall of 1975. This date can be seen definitively in a few subtle places: a handful of newspapers include a 1975 date, and the radio Ben Mears listens to on the way into town proclaims that it was the first day of fall, Septermber 21, 1975. Ralphie Glick was abducted shortly after, and the rest of the vampires began to spring up shortly afterward. That means Max's adaptation of Salem's Lot actually fits with Stephen King's original book, as it was published and took place in 1975.
How Salem's Lot 2024's Setting Compares To Past Stephen King Adaptations
Only The 2004 Miniseries Adaptation Of Salem's Lot Changed The Setting
Every movie and series adaptation of Salem's Lot has taken a different approach to when its story takes place. The 1979 miniseries took place in the 1970s, just like Max's adaptation did, though at the time it was still a modern setting. The 2004 miniseries adaptation, however, modernized the story into the 2000s, which was only one of the ways it significantly changed the plot of the novel. Max's adaptation likely chose to stick with a 1975 setting to keep its plot closer to Stephen King's original version of the story.
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Max's new 'Salem's Lot adaptation is stuffed full of Stephen King Easter eggs, along with references and other subtle nods to the horror genre.
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If Max's adaptation of Salem's Lot had been modernized as the 2004 version had, it would have been significantly different in a few key ways. For example, there are quite a few stylistic things about the film that are supposed to evoke the 1970s. The cars around the lot are all makes and models that were available in the 1970s and earlier, and all the characters are wearing 1970s fashion choices. Additionally, the final scene where Ben and Mark take on Barlow at the drive-in movie theater likely wouldn't have happened, given how few drive-ins remain in 2024.
The setting of Max's adaptation of Salem's Lot is really a sign of how true it stays to Stephen King's book.
The setting of Max's adaptation of Salem's Lot is really a sign of how true it stays to Stephen King's book. There are a few major changes, such as Father Callahan's death and Doctor Cody's death, but for the most part, it faithfully adapted the novel. The 1975 setting was a fairly important part of the original novel, and keeping it was a sign that Max's Salem's Lot has a lot of respect for Stephen King's work.
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Salem's Lot (2024)
Horror
Thriller
Salem's Lot is a 2024 remake of the movie of the same name released in 1979. The latest adaptation of Stephen King's 1975 novel stars Lewis Pullman, Makenzie Leigh, and Bill Camp, with Gary Dauberman writing and directing the Max original film. The plot revolves around a writer who discovers a vampire in his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot upon returning home for inspiration.
- Director
- Gary Dauberman
- Release Date
- October 3, 2024
- Studio(s)
- New Line Cinema , Atomic Monster , Vertigo Entertainment
- Distributor(s)
- HBO Max
- Writers
- Gary Dauberman
- Cast
- Lewis Pullman , Alfre Woodard , Makenzie Leigh , Bill Camp , Spencer Treat Clark , Pilou Asbæk , John Benjamin Hickey , William Sadler , Jordan Preston Carter , Nicholas Crovetti , Cade Woodward , Kellan Rhude , Debra Christofferson , Rebecca Gibel , Mike Bash , Fedna Jacquet , Avery Bederman
- Character(s)
- Ben Mears , Dr. Cody , Susan Norton , Matthew Burke , Mike Ryerson , Richard Straker , Father Callahan , Kurt Barlow , Mark Petrie , Danny Glick , Ralph Glick , Floyd Tibbits , Anne Norton , Mabel Wertz , Officer Taylor , June Petrie , Ruthie Crockett
- Runtime
- 113 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Horror
