In the world of horror novels, Stephen King‘s Salem’s Lot stands out amongst the crowd. However, now after the third adaptation of the vampire book we find ourselves wondering if they will ever be able to give us a film that even closely resonates with the 1975 novel.
Author Ben Mears returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem’s Lot in search of inspiration for his next book only to discover his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire.
When revisiting the Salem’s Lot story, director Gary Dauberman aimed to craft an experience that would both be nostalgic as well as modern. From the outset of this third adaptation of the King tale you can tell Doberman paid homage to the original classic by maintaining its core eerie essence, but fell short in a number of spaces which left us wanting more. What kept us going was the visual storytelling complemented by innovative camerawork and a love for the source material.
While visually captivating, this adaptation wrestles with structural challenges inherent in condensing a rich story into a single feature film format. This is likely evident with the last two adaptations being two-part miniseries instead of full-length feature films. In contrast, this adaptation often feels rushed; characters lack depth and complexity, reducing their impact on viewers. Those familiar with King’s world-building will find themselves yearning for more than what was presented on the screen—more time to connect with these people whose fates are so intricately tied to their haunted town.
Salem’s Lot does excels in creating an atmospheric and eerie feeling. The film employs sound design alongside visual elements to evoke genuine tension—the kind that lingers long after the credits roll. Yet even these moments can’t entirely compensate for simplistic dialogue which sometimes undermines otherwise potent scenes.
Ultimately I enjoyed my experience watching this horror flick and that’s what it’s all about. However, I can understand why Warner Bros. opted for a streaming release and not a larger theatrical release this Halloween season as this adaptation has trouble finding its feet. While the previous iterations of this novel were nothing special, this one at least has the feel of a modernized period piece with better, while not nearly perfect, special effects, lighting and more.
Salem’s Lot offers an intriguing yet imperfect exploration into Stephen King’s iconic tale—something that will hold us over until the next creative team takes a crack at this adaptation. A story that might be most suited for a 10-episode miniseries falls short in a feature film format and in the end does not live up to expectations. Despite its few shining moments, Salem’s Lot leaves us wanting more.
Salem’s Lot was written and directed by Dauberman, based on King’s 1975 novel Salem’s Lot. The film stars Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears, Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton, Bill Camp as Matthew Burke, Pilou Asbæk as Richard Straker, Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody, and William Sadler as Parkins Gillespie. The film also stars John Benjamin Hickey, Jordan Preston Carter, Spencer Treat Clark, Nicholas Crovetti, Cade Woodward, and Alexander Ward.
Salem’s Lot hit Max on October 3, 2024 and is now streaming.
