Salem is bracing itself for one of its most volatile weeks yet. The Days of Our Lives video preview for January 12–16, 2026, teases a combustible mix of romance,

deception, long-buried grudges, and a chilling escape that could put lives at risk. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, the familiar town once again proves that

no happy headline comes without a dark undercurrent — and no locked door stays shut forever. From a high-profile engagement making waves across the city,

to a daring and morally questionable escape plan at Bayview, and a sinister medical mystery that raises serious red flags, this week’s episodes promise emotional intensity and high-stakes drama in equal measure.

Engagement News Sends Shockwaves Through Salem

The week begins with what should be joyful news: Alex Kiriakis and Stephanie Johnson are officially engaged. Their relationship, marked by passion, reconciliation, and hard-won trust, reaches a new milestone — and it doesn’t stay private for long. The announcement splashes across the Salem Spectator, instantly becoming the talk of the town.

For many residents, the engagement represents hope and stability in a community often rocked by betrayal and loss. Alex, the charismatic heir to the Kiriakis legacy, seems genuinely committed to building a future with Stephanie, who has fought tirelessly to reclaim her independence and voice after past trauma.

But not everyone is celebrating.

Jeremy Stark, Stephanie’s dangerous and obsessive ex, stumbles upon the engagement news online — and his reaction is anything but supportive. The preview shows his face darkening with anger, jealousy, and unresolved resentment. For Jeremy, this public declaration feels less like a love story and more like a provocation.

Salem knows all too well that Jeremy doesn’t handle rejection gracefully. His emotional volatility, combined with a history of manipulation and intimidation, casts a shadow over what should be a blissful moment for Alex and Stephanie. As the engagement news spreads, so does the sense of dread that Jeremy may not be done interfering — and that the consequences could be severe.

A Doctor’s Instinct Raises Alarming Questions

Meanwhile, at University Hospital, Dr. Sarah Horton finds herself troubled by something that doesn’t quite add up. While tending to a young patient, Sarah encounters Liam, a mysterious figure whose calm demeanor belies a potentially dangerous secret.

Sarah notices a cut on Liam’s hand — an injury he’s quick to dismiss as insignificant. But Sarah’s instincts, sharpened by years of experience and personal loss, tell her otherwise. There’s something off about the wound… and about Liam himself.

Her brief but telling exchange with him plants the seeds of a larger mystery. Is Liam hiding more than just the cause of a minor injury? Could his presence be connected to darker events unfolding elsewhere in Salem?

As Sarah watches him leave, viewers are left with a familiar Days warning sign: when a doctor grows suspicious, trouble is rarely far behind. This storyline hints at revelations that may tie into violence, deception, or even a larger criminal plot — and Sarah may soon find herself in the crosshairs of something far more dangerous than she anticipates.

A Desperate Escape at Bayview

Over at Bayview Sanitarium, desperation fuels a plan that could have catastrophic consequences. Sophia, never one to accept confinement quietly, is once again plotting her escape — and this time, she’s willing to exploit a child to make it happen.

Rachel Black, young, vulnerable, and fiercely loyal to the wrong people, becomes Sophia’s target. With unsettling calm, Sophia pulls Rachel into her scheme, making it clear that she intends to use the girl as a pawn in her bid for freedom.

What follows is one of the most disturbing twists teased in the preview: Rachel opens a pouch stuffed with cash, then climbs into Sophia’s bed, pulling the covers up to impersonate her. When a Bayview staff member checks the room, they fail to realize the switch has been made.

Sophia is already gone.

Disguised in a black hoodie, she slips through Salem unnoticed — at least at first. The implications of this escape are chilling. A dangerous individual is loose in the town, while an innocent child is left behind to face the consequences if the deception is discovered.

The plan nearly unravels when Ari Horton unexpectedly spots Sophia wandering through Horton Square. The moment is tense and electric as Ari calls out her name, instantly threatening to expose the escape.

Whether Sophia manages to flee or is dragged back to Bayview remains unclear — but one thing is certain: Rachel’s involvement will not stay secret for long, and the emotional fallout could be devastating.

Old Friends, Old Crimes, and a Ruthless Pact

Elsewhere in Salem, the past refuses to stay buried as Leo Stark confronts Gwen Rizczech about Dimitri von Leuschner’s disappearance. Leo, sharp and relentless as ever, appears to have pieced together Gwen’s role in Dimitri’s vanishing act — and he’s not inclined to let it slide.

The confrontation crackles with tension. Once inseparable friends, Leo and Gwen now stand on opposite sides of a moral and legal line. Gwen knows she’s exposed, and she knows Leo holds all the leverage.

Rather than deny the truth, Gwen makes a calculated move. She offers Leo a deal — silence in exchange for something he wants. What Leo demands is both shocking and chillingly on-brand.

He wants Dimitri gone. Again.

The request underscores just how dangerous this alliance could become. Gwen and Leo, united by mutual self-interest and shared secrets, are capable of extraordinary manipulation when cornered. Their pact raises urgent questions: Is Dimitri truly alive? And if so, how far will they go to ensure he never resurfaces?

This storyline taps into one of Days of Our Lives’ most enduring themes — that friendship, when poisoned by fear and ambition, can become more dangerous than outright hatred.

A Week of Consequences

As January 12–16 unfolds, Salem becomes a town defined by consequences. A joyful engagement may provoke a violent reaction. A doctor’s simple question could uncover a dangerous truth. A desperate escape endangers a child. And a whispered pact threatens to erase a man’s existence.

Every storyline intersects with another, creating a sense that Salem is holding its breath — waiting for the moment when everything explodes.

The Days of Our Lives weekly video preview makes one thing abundantly clear: no one is safe, no secret is secure, and every choice carries a price. As loyalties are tested and lines are crossed, the coming week promises drama that is as emotionally gripping as it is deeply unsettling.