This third adaptation of Stephen King’s novel sits squarely in the middle, far better than the 2005 miniseries, but a pale shadow of the 1979 version. There is a decent amount to enjoy, the vampires are chilling, most of the cast is pretty good, but no one gets a real chance to develop and breathe, as the constraints of a movie doesn’t give enough time to allow for any form of character development. The book and both miniseries allowed denizens of the Lot to exist in their day-by-day, to contrast as the town was slowly overrun and corrupted but there’s no chance for that here. If anything, this movie seems content to simply rush through its plot to hit iconic beats and moments at a frenzied pace. King’s thematic exploration of the slow bleeding death of the small-town is certainly missed entirely, as this film seems far more enamored with spectacle. The last act makes some significant changes from the source, with reasoning that could only be the result of coked-up studio executive meddling, ‘Ya… Stakes to the heart are okay and all but… HOW ABOUT A STAKE TO THE FACE!!! AND EVERYTHING SHOULD EXPLODE!’. It is unfortunate, as this film actually has some great cinematography and visuals, some decently creepy moments and presents horrific vampires (as they should be). It looks great, light on substance, might provide an enjoyable moment or two for those familiar with either source, but those seeking genuine scares it would be best to revisit the original miniseries.
Salem's Lot (2024)