Salem's Lot 2024 Review
6 / 10. A glossy and authentic looking King adaptation but lacks terror and tension. *MINOR SPOILERS*
This version of vampire party crashers Salem’s lot was released in 2024, written and directed by Gary Dauberman, directed and wrote the screenplay, based on the 1975 novel Stephen King’s 1975 novel. The first feature film adaptation of the book, as the other two versions were mini-series in 1979 and 2004 (My favourite author and favourite of his books!)
Author Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) returns to his haunting childhood home of Jerusalem’s lot for creative inspo and gets more than he bargained for in a march down childhood trauma memory lane and a vampire infestation …
When an amazing book is adapted for tv not once but twice – the first being great, the second, meh, ask do we need to now make a film? Answer – not really.
The 2024 version is set in the 70s with a glossy and authentic feel. There are some amazing creepy moments, mostly with good old grave digger Mike Ryerson (Spencer Treat Clark) and his descent into shiny-eyed vampirism.
Why show a glimpse of Barlow at the very start? If you’re going to use a visually monstrous version of the head honcho then keep it for a spooky reveal! Also, use better CGI, or keep the effects practical.
Lewis Pullman didn’t have the charisma for Ben nor did Makenzie Leigh as Susan, but they did their best. Pilou Asbæk is usually good but is giving a panto / What We Do in the Shadows version of Barlow’s lackey, Straker, here.
Some new additions worked well, such as the drive in, the garden at night, vampires on the roof.
Danny and Ralphie at the window were no where near as scary as the original tippy tap at the window scenes in the book or 70s TV version.
It felt at times like scenes were missed, conversations took place that didn’t seem to have had events or convos leading up to them… but the run time was originally longer so I think some scenes have been snippy-snipped which is a shame. Dr Cody (Alfre Woodard), Father Callahan (John Benjamin Hickey) and the sheriff (William Sadler) aren’t given much to do. Then suddenly sheriff is terrified and escaping town, but we didn’t see any of his experience as to why and is immediately shouting ‘IT’S VAMPIRES!’ Assuming that all viewers already know the story will affect enjoyment due to these missing scenes leading to a disjointed narrative and misses out on the slow build to the take over of the town that works so well in the book and 70s TV mini-series. I think this version would’ve worked better as a mini-series as well.
Jordan Preston Carter does a good job as courageous Mark Petrie and dependable Bill Camp’s Matt Burke is believable.