Salem’s Lot

2024
Directors: Gary Dauberman
Starring: Lewis Pullman, Spencer Treat Clark, Pilou Asbæk, Bill Camp, Alexander Ward, and more.

Ben Mears, a writer who spent part of his childhood in Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine, also known as ‘Salem’s Lot, has returned after twenty-five years to write a book about the long-abandoned Marsten House, where he had a bad experience as a child. He soon discovers that an ancient evil has also come to town and its turning the residents into vampires. He vows to stop the plague of undead and save the town.

Stephen King fans, brace yourselves—Gary Dauberman’s 2024 adaptation of “Salem’s Lot” arrives with all the anticipation and maybe just a couple of disappointments. Originally slated for a theatrical release, it languished in limbo due to pandemic delays until finding a home on HBO Max just in time for Halloween. It releases on October 3rd.

Dauberman, known for his work on the “It” films, takes on King’s tale of vampires in small-town America. Lewis Pullman stars as Ben Mears, returning to Jerusalem’s Lot to confront personal demons amidst a vampire infestation led by Richard Straker (Pilou Asbaek) and the menacing Kurt Barlow (Alexander Ward).

The film’s biggest flaw? Trying to condense King’s rich narrative into a feature film. The 1979 miniseries did it better, giving itself a little more room to explore the terrifying world of Ben Mears childhood home. Clocking in at nearly two hours, “Salem’s Lot” feels a little rushed and disjointed, with scenes that start abruptly and end too quickly, leaving viewers craving more connection and depth. Dauberman’s attempt to capture the essence of King’s sprawling novel falls short, despite a talented cast that includes Alfre Woodard and Bill Camp.

While there are moments of brilliance—Bill Camp’s chilling discovery at a local bar—the film struggles to build the atmospheric dread crucial to King’s storytelling. The hurried pace sacrifices character development, leaving figures like Susan (Makenzie Leigh) and Ben Mears underdeveloped and overshadowed by the film’s frenetic plot.

In the end, “Salem’s Lot” is a missed opportunity—a reminder that some stories are best told with room to breathe. Fans of King’s work may find glimpses of the novel’s terror, but overall, the film’s rushed execution leaves much to be desired.

Isabella Jordan