Warning: spoilers for 2024’s Salem’s Lot.
Salem’s Lottakes viewers to the title town as it becomes the target of a thirsty vampire, who arrives in town with his mysterious companion, Richard Straker (Pilou Asbæk). In 1975, Stephen King introduced readers to his style of vampires inSalem’s Lot, his second published novel.Salem’s Lotis one of King’s most successful and beloved works, and its popularity has led it to be adapted into a two-part miniseries in 1979 (directed by Tobe Hooper) and a TV miniseries in 2004. Now, after many obstacles and delays,Salem’s Lothas gotten its first feature film adaptation.
Directed by Gary Dauberman,Salem’s Lottakes the audience back to the 1970s to meet writer Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman), who returns to hishometown of Salem’s Lotlooking for inspiration for his next book. His arrival coincides with the disappearance of a young boy, but subsequent mysterious events lead him and other town residents to discover the shocking truth: the town is being preyed upon by a bloodthirstyvampire named Barlow (Alexander Ward). Accompanying Barlow was Richard Straker, who raised questions about whether he was human or something else.
Richard Straker Is Kurt Barlow’s Human Familiar In Salem’s Lot
Richard Straker Wasn’t A Vampire In Salem’s Lot
The first character the audience meets inSalem’s Lotis Richard Straker, who asks Mr. Snow to retrieve a box that, unbeknownst to Mr. Snow, carries Barlow in his coffin.Straker arrived at the Lot before Barlow to open their antique shop and settle downatthe Marsten house, which had the reputation of being a ghost house. ThroughoutSalem’s Lot, Straker is seen acting strange and quite creepy, such as when he approaches the Glick brothers and kidnaps the youngest, Ralph, so Barlow can feed on him.
Straker’s role inSalem’s Lotis similar to that of R. M. Renfield in Bram Stoker’s novelDracula.
Straker’s association with Barlow raises questions about whether he’s human, half-vampire, or some other supernatural entity – and the truth is thatStraker is human, but he’s Barlow’s human familiar. Straker’s role inSalem’s Lotis similar to that of R. M. Renfield in Bram Stoker’s novelDracula, as both are the devoted servants of a vampire (except that Renfield is mentally unstable).In the novel, Straker is also human, but his death is slightly different from the one in the movie. In it, Mark Petrie wounds Straker and escapes the Marsten house, unlike the movie, where Mark kills him.
Salem’s Lot’s 10 Biggest Changes To Stephen King’s Book
Max’s Salem’s Lot movie is the latest adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 book, and the 2024 version makes some notable changes to the vampire tale.
Straker is killed by his master, as Barlow can’t resist feeding on Straker’s freshly spilled blood, so he drains him of his blood. However, Barlow isn’t pleased with Barlow’s death, as he considers him the best servant he ever had. Unlike other characters killed inSalem’s Lot,Straker never returns as a vampire.
Past Adaptations Of Salem’s Lot Have Given Straker Superhuman Strength & Abilities
Straker Hasn’t Been Entirely Human In Other Versions Of Salem’s Lot
Despite Straker being fully human in the novel, other versions ofSalem’s Lotdecided to give the character a little extra something.In the 1979 miniseries, Straker had unbelievable strengthand could summon a fast wind when he abducted Ralph Glick, so it’s implied that he had some sort of supernatural power. However, this version of Straker was mortal, and he was shot and killed by Mears during the climax of the series.
It’s unknown what Barlow and Straker’s deal was and how Straker was convinced to serve him.
Straker works best as an average human without any type of supernatural ability as it makes Barlow even more terrifying. It’s unknown what Barlow and Straker’s deal was and how Straker was convinced to serve him, but it shows that pretty much anyone could be targeted by Barlow to serve him.
Salem’s Lot
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.
