15 Scariest Stephen King Movie Moments

4. Mr Barlow - Salem's Lot

As Stephen King movie character creations go, Mr Barlow from Salem's Lot is one of the most immediately arresting. He has a look almost as iconic as Pennywise - with tones of Nosferatu - and his first appearance is remarkably effective.

His look, combined with the dark atmospherics and the slow-build musical cues are enough to make his appearance one of the most memorable jump scenes in horror movie history. Sure, it's cheap and manipulative, but that doesn't make it any less impactful or effective.

And it helped launch one of King's best adaptation characters.