The new film adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot does not bring anything particularly new or original. It focuses on being a straightforward, traditional horror movie.
This will appeal to some horror fans, but it might explain why Warner Bros. decided to wait two years to release it, finally choosing to put it directly on Max after its premiere at Beyond Fest. The film is solid and dependable, but it does not stand out as a remarkable movie. This suggests that it might be okay for some films to go straight to streaming services.
Television seems to be a better place for adaptations of King’s second novel. Salem’s Lot—and I will skip the apostrophe that sometimes comes before the first letter—was first adapted into a popular TV miniseries in 1979. This miniseries was directed by Tobe Hooper and later shortened for international markets.
Then, in 1987, a theatrical sequel was made, but it did not have the same lasting impact and strayed from King’s original story. Another miniseries adaptation aired on TNT in 2004, starring Rob Lowe. So, the 2024 version of Salem’s Lot, written and directed by Gary Dauberman, is technically the first feature film adaptation of King’s novel.
However, many people might not get a chance to see it in theaters. Due to its shorter runtime, Dauberman has trimmed the story down to its essential parts. He captures the main events of the book while simplifying the characters’ development. The film also features a new ending that fits well with the story, and I believe King himself would be pleased with it.
What Is Salem’s Lot About?
In Salem’s Lot, the story centers on Ben Mears (played by Lewis Pullman from Top Gun: Maverick), a novelist who is one of many King characters that are writers. He returns to Jerusalem’s Lot, a small town in Maine where he lived as a child.
His reasons for coming back are unclear, but it seems he wants to confront some childhood trauma, as both of his parents died in a car crash when he was nine years old. He meets Susan (Makenzie Leigh), an aspiring real estate agent, and befriends Matthew, an older teacher played by Bill Camp, who was also in HBO’s adaptation of King’s The Outsider.
Ben becomes curious about the Marsten House, an eerie mansion in town, which is home to two new residents: the mysterious Barlow (played by Alexander Ward) and the sinister Straker (Pilou Asbæk from Game of Thrones), who have opened an antique store.
Meanwhile, an eleven-year-old boy named Mark (Jordan Preston Carter) has recently moved to town. He enjoys building model monsters at home but loses two friends to a strange blood sickness that starts spreading throughout the Lot.
Soon, it becomes clear that this is not a sickness but a curse—vampirism. Mark teams up with Ben, Susan, Matthew, a nearby doctor (Alfre Woodard), and a local priest (John Benjamin Hickey, who plays Father Callahan) to save their town from a vampire group led by the terrifying Barlow.
There are many different characters in this story, which is expected in a King tale that looks at one of his fictional towns from above. A miniseries could include most of these elements, but a movie under two hours needs to make choices.
Dauberman keeps all the main characters from the book, but this means that each character feels like a very simplified version of themselves. Their important traits are mentioned only briefly, if at all. There simply is not enough time to show Ben’s writer’s block, Father Callahan’s faith crisis, Mark’s love for horror, or other details in the original novel.
Because of this, Pullman has little to work with, and the audience does not get a strong lead character to connect with. Still, the actors do their best with the limited material. The characters may be sketches, but they are well-acted sketches.
Salem’s Lot Makes for a Fine Halloween Watch
Dauberman makes up for not being able to show the characters deeply by creating a visually appealing production that feels both classic and stylish, without being too flashy. Setting the story in the 1970s was a good decision, allowing for a drive-in movie theater—this adaptation’s biggest new element—to play an important role.
Dauberman, who has also worked on many films in the Conjuring universe and directed Annabelle Comes Home, has a strong visual sense and includes some clever scene transitions throughout the film. The vampires in the film look exactly how you would want them to.
They are deeply unsettling as they float and perch on rooftops with their eerie, glowing eyes. One major question was how Barlow would be portrayed, especially since the 1979 version diverged significantly from the book’s description. Dauberman wisely chose to update that iconic look instead of sticking to King’s original vision, which featured a more human-like villain.
There are other small details that make Salem’s Lot a solid choice for a spooky-season watch. I appreciate how the crosses shine bright white when used as weapons, pushing the vampires back like they have just been hit by a shotgun blast.
Still from Salem’s Lot (Credit: HBO)
The story of Salem’s Lot has always been about the decline of small-town America, and enough of that message makes it into this adaptation. It will be hard for anyone to argue that this is the best version of the story. The vampire tropes it employs—crosses, holy water, etc.—are so familiar that they run the risk of feeling cliché.
Vampire myths have been changed and adapted many times since King’s book was published. Yet Dauberman’s film is good enough that I believe it will find an audience that enjoys a traditional take on vampire lore. It may also appeal to King fans who have followed this story since it first came out.
Salem’s Lot will start streaming on Max on October 3.
With the help of some friends, The Masked Singer returns for its twelfth season, bringing even more excitement, surprises, and hidden celebrities. One of the show’s most memorable past contestants, William Shatner, also known as “The Knight” from Season 8, makes an appearance to kick off the new season.
Shatner reminds viewers that The Masked Singer has featured 186 celebrities over 11 incredible seasons. Now, it’s time to welcome more mystery singers who are ready to entertain and leave the audience guessing. The show, famous for keeping fans on their toes, asking, “Who is that?” promises that this season will bring even bigger names and performances.
As the season begins, Rita Ora opens the show with a lively performance of “Who Can It Be Now” by Men at Work, setting the stage for what’s to come. Nick Cannon, the show’s long-time host, then introduces the new season, calling it the biggest yet.
He shares that this year’s lineup includes 15 of the most well-known personalities from the worlds of television, film, sports, and music.
Cannon also reveals some impressive stats about the contestants, noting that collectively, they have 21 Grammy nominations, 14 Emmy nominations, 202 film appearances, and five of them have personal ties to pop icon Taylor Swift. With these credentials, the stakes are higher than ever as the contestants compete for the coveted Golden Mask trophy.
In the premiere, the first five mystery singers perform, each hoping their performance will be good enough to keep them safe from elimination.
However, only four will continue, and one celebrity will face unmasking by the end of the night. By the time all five contestants perform, it’s clear who is most likely to be unmasked, though there are still some surprises left.
A New Game-Changing Twist Is Introduced
Before the first performance even begins, Nick Cannon announces a brand-new twist for Season 12 that will change the dynamic of the competition. This year, each masked singer will be paired with an Ambassador—a past Masked Singer contestant who has a special connection to the current competitor.
The Ambassadors will provide important clues about the singer’s identity, making it both easier and harder for the panel and audience to guess who’s behind the mask. This twist adds an extra layer of fun and mystery to the game.
The first contestant to perform is Buffalo, and their Ambassador is none other than Nick Lachey, the Season 5 winner who was disguised as Piglet. During Buffalo’s clue package, Lachey shares that Buffalo was “raised in the poorest grasslands,” slept in “roach-filled beds” at night, and practiced at bus stops during the day.
The package includes additional clues such as a football player, appearances by Betty White and Vanna White, and credits on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Lachey adds that Buffalo is the center of attention at his Super Bowl parties.
Still from The Masked Singer (Credit: Hulu)
Buffalo’s performance of “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” by Cutting Crew is powerful and soulful, but it’s the twist that follows the performance that grabs everyone’s attention.
Just as the audience is soaking in Buffalo’s solo performance, two more Buffalos appear on stage—revealing that Buffalo is actually a trio! The herd of Buffalos stuns the panel and audience alike.
Following the performance, Cannon reveals that each contestant will receive a special gift from their Ambassador. Buffalo’s gift from Lachey is a crown.
The panel then takes a stab at guessing Buffalo’s identity, throwing out names like B2K, Earth, Wind & Fire, and even Nick Lachey himself, possibly sending in the other members of his group, 98 Degrees, to trick everyone. Could one of these guesses be correct, or is Buffalo hiding an even bigger secret?
Woodpecker Brings Style, but Leaves the Panel Stumped
Next on stage is Woodpecker, whose Ambassador is Jenifer Lewis, who performed as Miss Cleocatra in Season 11. Lewis reveals that she has known Woodpecker since the beginning of her career and describes her as a mogul and a chic CEO.
Lewis adds that Woodpecker is friends with none other than Beyoncé. In her clue package, Woodpecker talks about her ambition to become the youngest billionaire and knocks on a door marked “family.” Another significant clue is a S.A.T. Scantron sheet.
Woodpecker performs “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, bringing a smoky and unique tone to the song. While she isn’t the strongest vocalist, her performance has character.
For her special gift, Ambassador Lewis sends Woodpecker a framed world record, which suggests that Woodpecker could be an athlete or someone who has broken significant records.
Despite this, the judges guess names like Willow Smith, Kiki Palmer, Cardi B, and Halle Bailey—though none of these guesses seem to fully align with the clues provided.
Showbird Surprises with Soulful Vocals
Following Woodpecker is Showbird, a colorful contestant whose Ambassador is Joel McHale, a regular guest panelist on the show. Showbird’s clue package reveals that she’s a tomboy who enjoys building Legos and attending Comic Cons.
She mentions that she has appeared in some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. The package also includes a book titled “Advanced Singing 401” and a gavel, hinting at someone with significant experience in both acting and music.
Still from The Masked Singer (Credit: Hulu)
For her performance, Showbird delivers a soulful rendition of “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige. Despite some simple choreography, her strong voice carries the performance. Her Ambassador gift from McHale is a bucket of popcorn, adding to the mystery of her identity.
The panel offers guesses like Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson, and Kerry Washington, though none of these names seem to fit perfectly. Some speculate that Showbird might be Yvette Nicole Brown, a close friend of McHale and a fellow Community cast member.
Ship Stuns with Sultry Performance and Intriguing Clues
The next contestant, Ship, takes the stage with a stunning performance. Her Ambassador is Jewel, the Queen of Hearts and winner of Season 6. Ship’s clue package reveals that the “tides can change from angry to serene” and includes visual hints like a plane clock and a wanted poster with a $15,000 reward.
Ship also says she made history but later lost control, which adds to the mystery. Jewel hints that she and Ship have worked together before, providing a big clue about Ship’s identity.
Ship delivers a sultry and familiar performance of “Pompeii” by Bastille, attracting both the audience and panel. For her special gift, Jewel sends Ship a glittery cowboy hat.
With the clues provided, some panelists, including Rita Ora, guess that Ship could be Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, Enya, or Sarah McLachlan. As with the other contestants, only time will tell if any of these guesses are correct.
Leafsheep Rolls Out With Humor but Faces Elimination
Finally, Leafsheep takes the stage, wearing what is perhaps the season’s strangest costume. The judges aren’t even sure if Leafsheep is real when they first see the giant ball of fluff roll onto the stage. Leafsheep’s Ambassador is NFL star Demarcus Ware, who competed as Koala in Season 11.
The clue package hints that Leafsheep might be another football player, as it mentions scoring headlines, topping charts, and reviving a franchise. Visual clues include a quarter and a seahorse wearing a cowboy hat.
Leafsheep performs Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It,” bringing humor and energy to the stage. Ware gifts Leafsheep a Hall of Fame trophy, suggesting that Leafsheep has had a notable career, likely in sports.
Still from The Masked Singer (Credit: Hulu)
The judges guess names like Troy Aikman, Billy Bob Thornton, and John Elway. When the votes are counted, Leafsheep receives the lowest score and is eliminated. As expected, Ken Jeong’s guess was correct—Leafsheep is indeed Denver Broncos legend John Elway!
With the competition heating up and more stars yet to be unmasked, this season promises more exciting performances, shocking reveals, and wild guesses. Tune in next week for Footloose Night as the competition continues.
The Masked Singer airs every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. on Fox. Episodes are available to stream on Hulu.
