Written and directed by Gary Dauberman, Stephen King’s ‘Salem’s Lot has been readapted for Max. Following two made-for-TV miniseries, this is the first time it’s been made into a feature film. The 1979 version, directed by Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 1974), is a renowned cult classic, and the book is regarded as one of King’s greatest. So, is Max’s ‘Salem’s Lot a worthwhile adaptation?
The story follows writer Ben Mears as he returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine, known as ‘Salem’s Lot. When he arrives, he inquires about the infamous Marsten House, a dilapidated mansion on a hill above the town. However, he learns that it was recently purchased by a mysterious Mr. Barlow and his business partner, Richard Straker, who opened an antique shop in town.
Soon after Mears, Barlow, and Straker arrive, townspeople begin to disappear or die. An evil has taken over ‘Salem’s Lot; can anyone stop it?
Dauberman wrote the Annabelle and The Nun films and directed Annabelle Comes Home (2019). He also adapted another of King’s best novels, IT, in 2017 and 2019. Dauberman was an obvious choice given his horror background with Max’s parent studio, Warner Bros. Pictures, and the success of IT Chapter 1 and 2. As we witnessed with Derry in IT, Dauberman did a solid job bringing the iconic town of ‘Salem’s Lot to life.
Much of the filming took place on-site rather than in a studio, which helped transport us to 1970s New England. Small towns are often a key component of King’s novels and feel like one of his characters.
That’s why it’s unfortunate that the film didn’t capture the significance of the Marsten House. This infamous house has a violent past that haunts the town. Stories about its former residents have been passed down through the years, and it has followed Ben Mears since he was a child. Although this is touched on in the film, the true weight of the once-abandoned mansion is not conveyed.
The production has a strong ensemble cast, stunning settings, effective makeup, and vibrant colors, giving it a richly cinematic atmosphere. Lewis Pullman plays Ben Mears, and he does well as the protagonist, going from a mild-mannered writer to a vampire hunter. Although it was clear that Makenzie Leigh relished her time on set as Susan Norton, the effervescent tone of her performance didn’t quite work with the dreary mood of the film.
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Susan and Ben have a quick love connection that may throw some off, but it was likewise hurried in the 1979 version. Although the lack of character-building makes some of their decisions quite baffling, I appreciate the overall emphasis on horror and other characters while keeping a decent runtime.
The main cast, including Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody, William Sadler as Parkins Gillespie, Bill Camp as Matthew Burke, John Benjamin Hickey as Father Callahan, Nicholas Crovetti as Danny Glick, Jordan Preston Carter as Mark Petrie, and Spencer Treat Clark as Mike Ryerson, had great chemistry and were well-cast in their roles. Despite being paired with seasoned actors, Carter gave a standout performance reminiscent of a kid from The Monster Squad.
Pilou Asbæk’s portrayal of vampire familiar Richard Straker was sadly underutilized despite his impressive on-screen presence. Alexander Ward portrayed the head vamp Kurt Barlow and donned the iconic Nosferatu-inspired makeup. The look was pretty successful; nevertheless, it was overly polished, taking me out of the moment at times.
Dauberman has commented on his commitment to the source material, but changes have been made to key characters, locations, and outcomes. Some work well (Woodard is excellent as Dr. Cody), while others may disappoint. Character development and several scenes come off as rushed, perhaps due to an attempt to fit too much in and include more climactic moments. It feels like a longer version was edited with a chunk left out. If so, I’d love to see that version.
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As it stands, ‘Salem’s Lot works best when removed from the source material. Longtime fans may have issues with the things described, while those less familiar may appreciate it more. But I enjoyed this adaptation as a fan of the novel and miniseries. While it isn’t perfect, it’s a solid vampire horror film that features some genuinely scary scenes, eerie New England locations, and strong performances.
‘Salem’s Lot is now streaming on Max.
