First Impression: Salem’s Lot {2024}

Whilst the 2024 reimagining of Salem’s Lot came out across most territories on streaming, for some reason in the UK it was released a week after the States into cinema. Dutifully I attended. The Gary Dauberman helmed film had a lot to live up to, given the earlier versions and, I understand, it had around an hour shaved off to hit it’s just shy of 2-hour running time.

Before I look at the film, however, I want to quickly take stock of my thoughts on the earlier versions. The Stephen King novel is, of course, an absolute classic and the two miniseries are both excellent. However I do, controversially, prefer the 2004 version; the 1979 version is still a much loved classic but it has not aged with grace and feels like a product of its time. Both try their darndest to add in some of the vast characterisation King uses in his novel, a vain hope given the limitations of time they faced but a brave attempt in each case.

giving instructions re the crate

This version returns to the novel’s time-period and, whilst this is done well in both the photography and costuming/cars etc, it doesn’t feel dated like the 1979 one. Not that this is better than that version, it has to be said, this for me is the weakest adaptation – though it was still worth a watch. Starting at the point where the crate containing master vampire Barlow (Alexander Ward, American Horror Story: Hotel) is collected, one feels that much of the early story to introduce the town characters has vanished. And that is the issue with the film.

Susan and Ben

King’s book tracks a town, the miniseries both try their best to round out characters in different ways. In this we obviously still get some of the central protagonists and some of their backgrounds are changed – Susan (Makenzie Leigh), for instance, is working for Larry Crockett (Michael Steven Costello) the realtor and meets returning son of the Lot and author Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) that way. Crockett himself becomes a footnote, met for a scene and then forgotten. Worse fates lie in store for characters such as Weasel – a voice, a top of his head and less than a couple of seconds, he hasn’t even a credit on IMDb. As for Ben and Susan, their romance is so shorthand you have to take it for granted rather than see the characters fall for each other, and bruised former suitor Floyd Tibbets (Kellan Rhude) may as well have been cut altogether he was so pointless. I get it though; with such a tight timescale they couldn’t possibly include everything.

Marjorie returns

Therefore, they play for scares. Jump scares are the order of the day, along with some well-done atmosphere supplemented by plenty of mist. Some of the situations seemed a tad out though. When waiting to see if Majorie Glick (Danielle Perry, Castle Rock) will rise we have Ben, Susan and Doctor Cody (Alfre Woodard) there. However, Ben, in an earlier scene, was clutching a cross, which the camera (and the Doctor) focused directly on. There is no reason he wouldn’t take one with him and thus the whole tongue depressor built cross moment (and the peril that it leads to) feels forced. A comment on crosses – they glow near the undead. A comment on the doctor being bitten and treating with a rabies shot… that all seemed silly, this is supernatural not a virus and in the time frame it would have been in the stomach… even today it is a muscle shot rather than into the vein.

Jordan Preston Carter as Mark

The vampires are fast, fly, have glowing eyes, require invitation (which can be rescinded), are killed by sunlight or staking, have major eye mojo and the town falls pretty darn quickly. Mark Petrie (Jordan Preston Carter) is played younger than the other versions and new to the Lot, but is cool as a cucumber and well-acted – he was a highlight character along with Matt Burke (Bill Camp). John Benjamin Hickey made a great Father Callahan, but the character was almost as stifled as the 1979 version. As for the antagonists, Straker (Pilou Asbæk), is the weakest version of Straker out of the three films, his presence is low – both in screen time and actual presence in a scene. Barlow is done as a Nosferatu type of vampire but does speak and the look is not as effective as it was in 1979. The Marsten House failed to be the character it became in both miniseries and Mears connection to it was not communicated.

Barlow in action

If it sounds like I’m negative, I’m not – I enjoyed the cinema experience and this is a horror flick first and foremost rather than the more involved miniseries. There is a place for that, and these are my thoughts as I mull the next day. Go in expecting a vampire horror that happens to have names from King and you will have a good enough time, expect anywhere near the characterisation of either miniseries, not to mention the novel itself, and you’ll be disappointed. I will review this properly and delve more into certain aspects (like the finale) when the physical media comes out. I am hoping that a Blu-ray release will retore the rumoured hour and then, perhaps, we will have more rounded characters.

The imdb page is here.