IronWatcher’s review published on Letterboxd:
Watched in the cinema (165th visit in 2024)
Schocktober 2024 #31
Stephen King's 1975 novel "Salem's Lot" served as a model time and again. In fact, a TV two-parter was made as early as 1979, one of the first ever adaptations of a work by the horror author. This was followed in 1987 by "A Return to Salem's Lot", a direct-to-video film that told a specially invented story set years after the novel - the first of many pseudo-sequels based on King's works. Finally, in 2004, there was another two-part film made for television. When it was announced that the classic was to be adapted once again, curiosity was high. Not only because a lot had happened since then and people wanted to know how the third direct version would differ. It is also the first that was planned for the cinema. In the meantime, things didn't look good and the film was repeatedly postponed. In the USA, it was only released for the streaming service Max. At least in Germany, however, it can actually be seen on the big screen - due to the lack of a German spin-off of Max.
However, the anticipation increasingly gives way to disappointment. The opening is still quite atmospheric when director and screenwriter Gary Dauberman takes us on a journey back to the 1970s. Where the 2004 version attempted to bring the material into the (then) present day, this one is more of a nostalgia trip. This may not be original, but it fits. The problems only start later, when "Salem's Lot" becomes increasingly hectic. Part of the reason for this is surely the desire to please a modern audience that perhaps no longer has the patience required for the first two adaptations. There it took longer for something to happen. In fact, it was revealed so late in the film that the mysterious Barlow is a vampire that it was a spoiler to mention it in the synopsis. Here it's made clear right at the beginning.
In other respects, too, it often happens far too quickly. The first two adaptations took a lot of time to establish the small town and then slowly awaken the evil in various corners. In the third "Salem's Lot" this feeling never arises, you hardly develop a relationship with the characters scurrying around. There's not much left of the ominous atmosphere either, which was the real strength of the story. As excited as we may have been beforehand to see the material in film form, watching it makes us realise why there have only been mini-series so far. Although Daubermann was probably aware of this himself. There is said to have been a version that was almost three hours long, comparable to the two-part films. But it was shortened to such an extent that the whole thing is anaemic.
That's not to say that everything here is bad. There are some atmospheric moments here and there. A competent ensemble has been engaged, even if it is not quite as memorable as some of the actors and actresses from previous films. "Salem's Lot" could also appeal to an audience that likes a bit more action, as the shift in focus has done something to change this. It soon feels like the entire small town has turned evil. The finale is also quite nice, the setting is different here. Nevertheless, the world wouldn't necessarily be any poorer if the new version had disappeared into oblivion. The long wait wasn't exactly worth it.
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