'Salem's Lot (2024)

This adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel was written off early on its journey to the screen. Everyone decided in advance it wasn't good and no one really gave it a shot. This is why I was surprised just how enjoyable it was. It effectively (if economically) and rather faithfully tells King's story, is shot and performed well, and has enough action to keep you occupied. It may not be a masterpiece but it's a pretty fun thriller for a couple hours. 

Dauberman finds a beautiful visual language to film this story. The film, set in the 70s, is shot in a way that evokes the era without overdoing it in a cliched way. It captures a lot of the appeal and drawbacks of small town life, especially when something taints that. His approach (or the approach of his editors) is to move through the plot rather quickly so it gets into its story and doesn't give up until the very exciting climax. There are beautiful moments, such as the way he shoots the initial attack, and it all builds to an adrenaline riddled conclusion that pays off nicely. Still it doesn't pause to develop the characters or the effects of a vampire take over in too much depth.

The down side for me is that 'Salem's Lot is in such a hurry to tell its story that it doesn't add nuance or subtlety. The best horror is about something, some social issues that are explored through the tropes of the genre. I'd be hard pressed to come up with what this version is "about". It's a straight up monster movie about survival and in this case that's enough. The story of 'Salem's Lot should be somewhat a mix of a vampire story and a zombie story. This adaptation doesn't get into some of the interesting dynamics of that and instead just focuses on getting through its plot. It still remains an interesting story though and the upside is that it never drags like the old TV series. 

It won't rank up there with the best King adaptations but it's not a bad way to spend a couple hours. This shows how we shouldn't write off something just because the hive mind has decided to. 

'Salem's Lot

Starring: Lewis Pullma, Makenzie Leigh, Bill Camp, Pilou Asbæk, Alfre Woodard, William Sadler, John Benjamin Hickey, Spencer Treat Clark

Writer/Director: Gary Dauberman