'Salem's Lot

release year: 2024
genre: horror
viewing setting: home streaming 10/14/24

synopsis: A New England town finds itself home to a vampire lord, who very quickly takes the entire place over except for a very few who figure out what's going on.

impressions: So this is the third time that the book's been adapted; there were also 1979 and 2004 versions which were both TV miniseries whereas this one's an R-rated film. I'm not here to say which adaptation is better or anything like that. This one's notable strengths: it was set in 1975 so the cars, buildings, etc reflect that...and also this was fairly fast-paced and vampire-horror heavy. There was less character exposition in favor of spooky moments and attacks.

acting: Lewis Pullman is the author in town for a while. Makenzie Leigh is his love interest. Bill Camp is the teacher, Alfre Woodard is the doctor, John Hickey the priest. They all do what they can, but ultimately the odds are really stacked against them. Alexander Ward is the vampire, and Pilou Asbaek is his human servant.

final word: Another, fairly worthwhile stab at this classic horror novel.

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