Some Stephen King diversifications are finest suited to the tv format, notably of the miniseries selection. Notable entries embody Tommy Lee Wallace’s influential rendition of “It” and the underrated however efficient “Storm of the Century,” amongst others. But when we flip our consideration to the miniseries diversifications of “The Stand” and “Salem’s Lot” — launched in 1994 and 2004, respectively — Rob Lowe emerges because the (shocking) frequent thread between the 2. “The West Wing” star may not be typically related to the horror style, however Lowe has starred in not one, however two seminal Stephen King diversifications which have formed TV horror and its evolving vignettes.
King was personally concerned in Mick Garris’ “The Stand” (he even has a minor function within the collection), which was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards in 1994. Whereas it would not comprehensively seize the layered brilliance of King’s novel, it makes good use of its star-studded ensemble to convey this epic, surreal story to life. Right here, a military-created bioweapon with a excessive mortality fee breaks containment, ushering within the fall of civilization at an astonishing fee. However some stay immune, and are pressured to outlive an apocalyptic wasteland that opposing forces of fine and evil have laid declare to. Lowe performs Nick Andros, a younger drifter who survives the outbreak and performs an integral function within the present’s occasions.
In TNT’s model of “Salem’s Lot,” Lowe performs author Ben Mears, who recounts the grisly occasions that happen in Jerusalem’s Lot after his homecoming. It is a somewhat easy adaptation that sticks to the supply materials — a worthwhile effort save for the exposition-heavy opening the place Mears prattles on and on concerning the titular location. No matter adjustments director Mikael Salomon makes are impressed sufficient to suit comfortably into King’s eerie, vampire-infested world.
These Rob Lowe-starring King diversifications are particular for a cause
Whereas a vampire story like “Salem’s Lot” hinges on visceral horror/competent character portrayal, atmospheric dread in the end does many of the heavy lifting. The TNT model understands this, which is why the occasions are set in a desolate wintry surroundings, the place the Marsden Home emits a palpable aura even to these passing by. This home, occupied by the vampire Barlow (Rutger Hauer) and his human caretaker Straker (Donald Sutherland), appears appropriately attractive and moody, complementing the fantastical nature of the premise.
Salomon additionally ramps up the brutality, leaning into the grisly microdetails that precede vampire assaults and nasty falls by way of staircases. The proficient solid ties every thing collectively, with Lowe slipping into the sneakers of a haunted artist somewhat properly, and the Hauer-Sutherland duo brilliantly showcasing the hypnotic lull of darkness that their respective characters embody.
As for Garris’ “The Stand,” the miniseries opts for a languid tempo, which finally ends up working in favor of characters who do not make it to the top. We find yourself caring about (nearly) everybody alongside our central protagonists, together with everyman Stu Redman (Gary Sinise), sociology professor Glen Bateman (Ray Walston), and the gentle-natured Tom Cullen (Invoice Fagerbakke). Lowe’s Nick could be grouped together with them, after all, as they symbolize a model of morality that’s drastically completely different from the villainous Randall Flagg (Jamey Sheridan), who’s the literal embodiment of evil within the collection.
This model of “The Stand” sports activities some evident flaws, however it’s the type of tacky, dated adaptation that’s nonetheless price watching at present. It’s also not refined, as a result of the supply materials itself is not wired that method — it’s a dense, sprawling examination of fine versus evil that unambiguously underlines the folks try to be rooting for.
