Salem's Lot is an atmospheric take on Stephen King's vampire classic, following writer Ben Mears as he returns to his hometown of Jerusalem's Lot, only to find it overrun by sinister forces. The film leans heavily on its moody visuals and solid performances, especially from Lewis Pullman and Makenzie Leigh, who bring a genuine sense of desperation to their characters. Faithful to King's novel, the story takes its time building suspense, aiming to evoke a slow-burning dread, though the pacing ends up feeling a bit sluggish. With a strong ensemble cast and well-done action sequences, the movie captures the eerie, small-town setting, creating a backdrop that feels both familiar and haunted.
However, despite the strong cast and final action-packed climax, the film's reluctance to fully embrace the horror feels like a missed opportunity. The scares are too tame for a modern horror audience, with key violent moments left off-screen, cutting away just as tension builds. The large number of characters and extended runtime add to the sense of drag, and while the climax delivers some excitement, the movie as a whole struggles to leave a lasting impact. For all its loyalty to the source material, Salem's Lot ultimately lacks the sharp bite fans might expect from a vampire story in 2024.
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