Salem's Lot (2024) - A Missed Opportunity to Revive a Classic

Salem's Lot (2024) is the latest adaptation of Stephen King's beloved 1975 vampire novel, directed by Gary Dauberman. While the film had the potential to breathe new life into this iconic story, it unfortunately falls short on several fronts, resulting in mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Faithful, Yet Rushed Adaptation

Dauberman, who previously worked on It: Chapter One and Two, brings his expertise in Stephen King adaptations to Salem's Lot. The story centers around author Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman), who returns to his eerie hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot, only to find it overrun by vampires led by the menacing Kurt Barlow. Despite being faithful to the core elements of King's novel, the film struggles to capture the depth and tension that made the book and previous adaptations so haunting.

One of the key criticisms is the rushed pacing. With a runtime of just under two hours, the film attempts to condense a rich, sprawling narrative, leaving little room for character development and atmosphere building. This leads to a sense that the film is merely jumping from one plot point to the next without giving audiences a chance to fully immerse themselves in the horror. The condensed format sacrifices the slow-burn tension that was a hallmark of both the novel and the 1979 miniseries​ (Roger Ebert)​ (Black Star News).

Strong Performances, But Underdeveloped Characters

The film boasts a strong cast, including Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears, Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody, and Bill Camp as Matt Burke. While their performances are solid, the characters themselves are not given enough time to develop. Ben's romantic relationship with Susan Norton (Makenzie Leigh) feels particularly undercooked, and the film’s focus on human drama, especially the conflict between Susan and her mother, often feels more awkward than engaging​ (Flickering Myth).

 

The standout performances, particularly from Bill Camp and Jordan Preston Carter (as the fearless Mark Petrie), help lift the film, but even their characters are sidelined in favor of moving the plot along quickly. A particular highlight is a scene involving Camp’s character facing a vampirized former student, which hints at the chilling potential the film had but rarely fulfills​ (Roger Ebert).

Atmospheric Horror Lacking True Bite

While Salem's Lot successfully delivers a few well-executed scares, such as a tense morgue scene and a climactic showdown at a drive-in theater, it struggles to create the lasting terror that made previous adaptations memorable. The film’s visual effects have also been criticized, with some noting that they feel dated and unworthy of a project that had the potential for a theatrical release ​(Flickering Myth).

Final Verdict

Overall, Salem's Lot (2024) is a film that tries to do too much with too little time. Though it stays true to the source material and has a talented cast, the rushed pacing and lack of character development prevent it from achieving the haunting brilliance of earlier adaptations. It’s an entertaining enough watch for die-hard King fans or those new to the story, but it ultimately leaves much to be desired.

OmniGuide Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ★★★☆☆

Though it has its moments, Salem's Lot (2024) feels like a missed opportunity to truly revive one of Stephen King’s best-known works.