Source: Max
From today, horror fans can watch the new adaptation of Stephen King’s cult work Salem’s Lot on the Max platform. The story revolves around writer Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) who returns to his hometown in Maine to find inspiration for a new book. However, they soon discover a terrifying threat in the form of an old vampire named Barlow (Alexander Ward), who plans to destroy the town by gradually draining the life out of all its inhabitants.
Ben, who is in a way the alter ego of King himself, is the classic protagonist of his works – a sensitive, introspective man who finds himself in the midst of supernatural horrors. This type of hero appears in many of King’s works, such as Enlightenment or The mysterious window. As Ben begins to investigate the town’s history, he discovers that the mysterious old house that fascinated him as a child harbors a dark secret.
While Ben forms a relationship with local resident Susan (Makenzie Leigh), a mysterious man arrives in town pan Straker (Pilou Asbæk), servant to Earl Barlow. This classic duo represents the archetypal relationship between a human sidekick and his undead master, with Straker setting the stage for Barlow’s arrival and bloody plan. Barlow is portrayed as a classic vampire in this version Nosferatuwhich gives the film a gothic atmosphere.
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Although the film offers some interesting moments, it suffers from long passages in which nothing seems to happen. The slow pace may turn off viewerswho expect more action horror. The adaptation faithfully follows King’s originalwhich may be a plus for fans of the book, but at the same time, some elements of the story feel somewhat dated these days.
As for the scary scenes, the director Gary Dauberman manages to create some tense moments, especially in the scenes with the young vampires. When Barlow turns children into his servants, the film spares no brutality – a pale child’s body lying lifeless, only to be transformed into a bloodthirsty predator, is one of the scariest shots. Unfortunately, these scenes are repeated over time, and the vampires gradually lose their terrifying effect.
What’s really problematic about this movie is the lack of relationships between the characters and their flat characters. Susan, who is supposed to be the main female character and motivation for Ben, is so underdeveloped that her fate practically doesn’t matter. Barlowwho is supposed to be the main antagonist, appears on screen only sporadically. While there is potential for a truly terrifying story, it lacks the emotional connection that would help the audience empathize more with the characters.
The Curse of Salem it doesn’t bring anything groundbreaking, neither in the context of King’s adaptations nor in the world of modern horror. If you are not a big fan of King’s works or classic vampire stories, you will probably be disappointed by the movie. It is a slow, visually and narratively unbalanced adaptationwhich may only appeal to those with nostalgic memories of King’s book, or those who don’t expect much innovation from a horror film.
