A writer who returns to his hometown to discover vampires have overrun it. If you are a
regular film buff, you’d recognize this is the plot of a familiar cult classic, Salem’s Lot. The 1975
film based on the Stephan King novel was a hit, highlighting thrilling themes of fantasy and
horror alike. The movie was a sensation and won several awards for its atmosphere,
cinematography, and scares. The film was so successful that it spawned a miniseries adaptation,
and today a remake of the original tale.
As a movie fanatic myself, and combining my interests in Halloween and popcorn, I
found that I was highlighting the release date for this recent reworking. However, my curiosity
for the film sparked years ago. Let it be known that I am a native of Ipswich, Massachusetts, a
coastal beach town that is quite small, though charming, and offers quality seafood and scenic
views. Around 2021, as I entered my junior year of high school, there was buzzing news of a
movie set that began filming downtown. The news had surprised many, including myself,
considering that our town was not very well known, and was seemingly unspecial. We heard
that the movie would be a rendition of Salem’s lot, and my attention was suddenly peaked. I was
already captivated by the fact that a movie would be filmed in my town, but learning that it
would be such a big production made it that much more special.
Days went on when traffic increased around town, the filming had added extra routes to
everyone’s commute, though I had never minded. Eventually, the set wrapped up and the town
went back to normal. However after the road was opened up, you could see how “movie magic”
turned the charming area into a 1970s world. Store fronts were polished and old cars were placed
to transport you into a different time. It was truly captivating, seeing Hollywood flare thrown
into our home was such a special experience. With that, many, including myself, suspected that
the movie would be released within the following year. Though do to Covid delays, and the
writer’s strike, the film would not be able to see the silver screen of theaters. Many had even
speculated online that the movie would never see the light of day. Apart from all odds, over the
recent summer, it was announced that the new Salem’s Lot would be released on HBO Max in the
fall.
Flash forward to the present day, the October release date had crept up, and I eagerly
watched as soon as possible. I have thus rewatched the movie twice, and still shout out whenever
a familiar location pops up on screen. Regarding the film itself, there have been mixed reviews
as far as it outshines the original. Many online say that the adaptation was not needed, while
others like the modern twist. As for myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and its thrilling
themes. I felt that it captured a regular horror fan’s heart while respecting and maintaining the
original touch of the classic film. If you haven’t already, I urge anyone reading to watch the new
movie, and whenever you see the town storefronts of the “lot”, just remember my hometown is
part of the magic!