Salem's Lot (2024): A Disappointing Adaptation?

Stephen King's Salem's Lot is a classic horror tale, and its latest adaptation, released on Max in October 2024, has gotten some mixed reactions. While some fans love this new version, there's a lot of people wondering why this film might not live up to previous adaptations!

A New Salem's Lot:

This 2024 movie adaptation of Stephen King's 1975 novel is the latest take on this iconic vampire story. It takes a different path, becoming a feature film versus a miniseries. Unfortunately, many fans found it did not quite hit the mark! It received mixed reviews.

Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 48% rating from critics and even worse for audience scores with 41%!

The movie has a lot going for it. Lewis Pullman as the leading man and an excIting cast gave it an exciting edge, but many find something off about it.

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Missing Characters:

One of the main problems in the film is what's not included. Lots of characters are missing from the book adaptation and this change impacts the story's overall message!

Hubie Marsten is left out and a key figure! In the book, Hubie Marsten really brought this dark side of history to life! His character gave audiences more about the Marsten House, a place with lots of history and this helps tell the overall story for Ben Mears', backstory.
Bill, the father of Susan, a main character. This father played an integral role that didn't make it into this film, leaving an interesting, though slightly disappointing dynamic.

Also Read: Salem's Lot: The Haunting Town From Stephen King's Horror Masterpiece

A Better Format?

Many felt the film version just didn't do Salem's Lot justice. The changes made may give the appearance that this classic is better suIted as a TV series!

While it’s not always about the length, there was so much detail. A television adaptation gave more of this detail which allowed Stephen King's work to really breathe!

Also Read: Salem's Lot 2024: Max's Shocking New Adaptation - Review & Spoilers

The 1979 Miniseries:

Kurt Barlow's mansion in Jerusalem's Lot in Salem's Lot (2024) Image

The best-received adaptation of Salem's Lot came from 1979, as it was done as a TV miniseries and that could be the reason why.

While its effects may be simple compared to those today it's the complete adaptation! It was amazing!
The miniseries had more than three hours! Giving audiences enough time to become fully invested in the Jerusalem's Lot narrative and really become deeply impacted! The extra hour shows you what makes it really amazing. It takes the book's heartbreaking and tense elements, allowing everything to show!

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What The 2024 Movie Missed:

Rebecca Ferguson smiling as Rose the Hat in Doctor Sleep with Ralphie & Danny Glick from Salem's Lot 2024 walking in the background Image

The latest version has good elements, though. A story set in the 1970s gives audiences an intense thrill with vampires that will bring everyone in. It builds up tension and creates something unique but loses its way later!

That leaves audiences to wonder what happened.

The focus changed.
The plot took a dark, but sadly generic monster movie feel that overshadows the film's really well done characters that fans are accustomed to and fall flat.

The Heart of Salem's Lot:

Salem's Lot (2024) Official Poster Image

The brilliance of Salem's Lot really focuses on this amazing place, Jerusalem's Lot! That little town is key! And more than just a location. This is the main character of this thrilling novel! It was about taking small town American history and showing its downfalls in a new way. It explores what happened in the last half of the 20th century as an insightful metaphor to help demonstrate how the neglect and disregard for the little things ultimately helps allow something large and scary into your life.

Sadly, the latest film version missed what makes this a uniquely great story. King gives everyone a way to show how terrifying the little events are. It explores things on a community level. Those moments just are not adequately shown.

Even if the vampires are scary, what makes Salem's Lot great, is what you see happen to the small town as a collective unit! It's not just some terrifying moment but this small town American story has real emotion that’s absent.

At the end of the day, the 2024 adaptation failed to capture this aspect! Leaving those who are fans hoping to see it come to life, wanting more. The missed moments just leaves fans with what might be, an incredibly disappointing version. For Stephen King fans it really might be the worse of this legendary author's best adaptations.