This '70s Stephen King Horror Series Haunted The Conjuring Star Patrick Wilson

Patrick Wilson, well-known for his roles in paranormal-themed films, shared the television show that left a lasting impression on him. Wilson, a key figure in the Insidious franchisewhich explores hauntings from a supernatural realm called the Furtheralso made his feature directorial debut with Insidious: The Red Door. His early collaboration with director James Wan on the 2010 film paved the way for a long-term professional partnership that extended to projects like the Aquaman series.

In 2013, Wilson reunited with Wan to portray a dramatized version of paranormal investigator Ed Warren in The Conjuring. Regardless of individual reactions to its scares, the film became a significant hit and a defining horror movie of the 2010s. Over the next decade, the franchise expanded into a cinematic universe, with the relationship between Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Wilson and Vera Farmiga, serving as its emotional anchor. Their on-screen chemistry became one of the series strongest elements, distinguishing their characters from the real-life couple.

Although the Warrens appeared in spin-offs like Annabelle Comes Home, it was their own storylines that formed the core of the Conjuring universe. With The Conjuring: Last Rites, their cinematic journey is now concluding. Reviews, such as Chris Evangelistas from /Film, highlight some flaws but praise the film as a heartfelt conclusion to the Warrens story.

During the press tour, Wilson reflected on the horror stories that influenced him. In an interview with Dread Central, he named Jaws and Poltergeist as formative experiences, but also cited a particularly chilling 1970s television adaptation. The TV version of Salem's Lot from the 70s really freaked me out and gave me nightmares for a long time, he revealed.

Tobe Hoopers 1979 adaptation of Stephen Kings novel remains a memorable television event, despite being more restrained than the book in terms of violence and scale. The miniseries suspenseful atmosphere has ensured its lasting legacy.

The story follows writer Ben Mears as he returns to his hometown to research the notorious Marsten House. He discovers that Richard Straker, a mysterious newcomer, has acquired the property. Soon, townspeople begin to vanish, revealing Straker as the agent of Kurt Barlow, a vampire corrupting the influential citizens of Salems Lot. Limited by the constraints of 1970s primetime television, Hooper relied on tension and atmosphere to create terrifying moments rather than graphic violence. Scenes such as vampire-infected children outside windows remain particularly haunting, earning recognition in Shudders 101 Scariest Movie Moments of All Time.

Wilson explained that watching Salems Lot at a friends home left a deep impression, highlighting how early TV horror captivated entire audiences simultaneously. Its impact is comparable to the 1990s It miniseries, which also maintains a lasting hold on viewers who experienced it during their childhood.

Author: Ava Mitchell