The brand new movie adaptation of Salem’s Lot was a movie mission I had been trying ahead to for a very long time. I keep in mind watching the primary trailer over two years in the past and feeling genuinely excited by what I noticed.
The thought of revisiting certainly one of Stephen King’s most iconic horror tales was thrilling. Now, after what felt like an eternity, it lastly dropped straight on MAX, and I made certain to carve out a while to provide it my full consideration.
Sadly, whereas it had its moments and a few issues I loved, the film in the end left me disillusioned. I perceive that adapting a novel into a movie, particularly one which runs lower than two hours, presents challenges.
Naturally, issues should be minimize or compressed to make it work, however even with that understanding, I really feel like there may have been a greater approach to deal with this adaptation.
To its credit score, the film captures the center of King’s novel, and in some ways, it stays true to the supply materials. The darkish, creeping essence of Salem’s Lot is there, however the execution felt missing.
I used to be anticipating the sort of creepy, unforgettable visuals that will burn into my mind and go away me feeling haunted, however the movie didn’t ship that. As a substitute, it gave us the identical sort of horror we’ve seen earlier than—predictable scares, overly polished aesthetics, and nothing that felt recent or daring.
What this movie wanted was one thing distinctive, one thing that pushed the boundaries of horror and made it stand out within the sea of horror films which might be being made.
Earlier than the discharge of this new film, I rewatched the unique miniseries for a refresher, and actually, the 1979 model holds up extremely properly. It’s simply unsettling in a means that sticks with you. The ambiance was thick with dread, and there’s a rawness to it that made it so creepy.
The brand new model? It felt too polished, too clear. There wasn’t that gritty edge or sense of looming terror that made the unique so memorable.
That’s what I believe disillusioned me essentially the most. I went into this film anticipating a fantastic horror expertise, one thing that will lurk within the shadow of my thoughts and provides me nightmares, and it simply didn’t ship on that entrance. The scares felt a bit too routine, and it appeared extra fascinated with enjoying it protected than taking actual dangers.
All that being stated, I didn’t hate the film. There have been elements I loved, and it was enjoyable to observe in its personal means. Lewis Pullman, who performed the lead function of Ben Mears, was one of many highlights. He brings a grounded and honest presence to the character.
His efficiency actually offered the interior battle of Mears returning to his haunted childhood residence, solely to find that vampires had been preying in town.
The supporting forged was a little bit of a combined bag, although. Mackenzie Leigh did properly as Susan Norton, and William Sadler introduced his typical gravitas as Constable Parkins. Invoice Camp as Matthew Burke and Jordan Preston Carter as Mark Petrie had been stable too.
However however, Pilou Asbæk, who performed Richard Straker, the villain, was a bit excessive for me. His efficiency was too exaggerated, bordering on caricature, and it took me out of the second each time he was on display screen.
The movie was directed by Gary Dauberman, recognized for his work on The Conjuring franchise, and whereas he has an excellent eye for horror, this simply wasn’t his greatest effort. It wasn’t the worst Stephen King adaptation on the market, however contemplating the potential of Salem’s Lot and the way wealthy the story is, this might’ve been so significantly better.
Ultimately, Salem’s Lot wasn’t the haunting, nightmare-inducing movie I hoped for, but it surely nonetheless had its satisfying moments. If you happen to’re a fan of the e book or simply on the lookout for one thing to observe in the course of the Halloween season, it’s price testing, however mood your expectations.
It’s not a nasty movie by any means, but it surely’s removed from being a fantastic one.
