Vampires Drain the Life from Salem's Lot (2024)

Watch out for the vampires in Salem’s Lot.

Salem’s Lot is a 2024 HBO adaptation of Stephen King’s suspenseful novel. A writer returns to his old town of Jerusalem's Lot in research for his latest novel. As townsfolk mysteriously fall ill, they are threatened by a blood-thirsty creature.

If you have come to watch Salem’s Lot, this is not it. This so-called new adaptation of Stephen King’s startling novel breathes no fresh blood. I couldn’t take this film seriously, both laughing and being disappointed. The 2024 adaptation ruins the haunting atmosphere, strong character dynamics, and a compelling story that was so terrifying it made you feel goosebumps!

What makes Salem’s Lot a captivating story are the characters. Stephen King created engaging characters. Aside from the vampire predicament, the book contains several subplots with the characters. Salem’s Lot (2024) puts a stake through the heart of King’s enriching character dynamics!

A few actors to name in Salem’s Lot (2024) are Lewis Pullman, Mackenzie Leigh, Jordan Preston Carter, Bill Camp, John Benjamin Hickey, and Alfre Woodard. They do their best in the weak direction and awkward script. The characters are given zero depth. Some characters are changed, like the new gender of Dr. Cody (Woodard).

Bill Camp (Matt Burke) is the most memorable performance. He takes any script he’s in and creates a thrilling performance that doesn’t match a film’s tone.

Characters like Mark (Carter) and the Glick brothers (Nicholas Crovetti and Cade Woodward) are toned down. The Glick family has an important storyline, but like every storyline in this film, it’s ignored. I get the feeling that filmmakers didn’t care to expand storylines since other (more exciting) adaptations of Salem’s Lot exist,

Let me tell you whose characters were totally ruined: Straker and Barlow (Pilou Asbaek and Alexander Ward). These two nefarious characters are given no backstory. Ward’s performance as Barlow is reduced to digital effects and little screen time.

Gary Dauberman claims he desired to make a new adaptation of Salem’s Lot because he wanted to make a frightening version and a new image of vampires. There’s no proof of his passion in this project to make this adaptation something different.

The horror you speak of? It barely exists. All the horror is administered off-camera. That famous terrifying sequence where vampire Ralphie Glick pays a visit to his brother is NOTHING in this version! The camera looms in on the window acting like it’s setting audiences up for a scary scene, but nothing transpires. Just a hand or a silhouette kidnapping someone.

Each conflict is resolved too quickly. It’s also too easy! A cross is a vampire’s one downfall, and each time, they’re defeated and leave the scene entirely. The characters stomp stakes through vampires' hearts with little to no effort.

My grandmother and I made funny commentary throughout this entire movie. This film is so bad that one automatically breaks out in laughter at ‘horror’ scenes. One character’s line delivery about noticing vampires on the roof is so corny! The character's reactions don’t match this terrifying situation. The editing doesn’t do a fair job, ending crucial scenes too quickly.

Salem’s Lot has been delayed since 2022. Has this always been the final version, especially since it almost premiered in theaters? Salem’s Lot (2024) heavily tones down Stephen King’s novel, cutting important storylines and ruining the character dynamics.

Salem’s Lot already has an underrated 2004 remake which is better than this version. The 2024 adaption feels more like a parody. Do yourselves a favor and watch the original scary 1979 version. It’s perfection.