Critic Reviews

A popcorn-spilling, shriek-inducing, tricky little treat.

Perhaps this story actually could have benefitted from the multi-episode series treatment, thus providing room for us to get to know more about these characters and their back stories, but as an old-fashioned scary vampire movie, “Salem’s Lot” serves its purpose.

A reasonably faithful and effective thriller, light on legitimate frights but polished and unnerving.

Dauberman's film is competent enough that I think it will manage to find an audience who's into an overly traditional take on vampire lore, as well as win over King fans who have been onboard with this tale, in all its incarnations, since day one.

As a vampire movie, Salem's Lot is refreshingly old-school.

Don’t be put off by the long wait. This is a little slimline but a lot of fun.

By no means the disaster many might have expected following its years-long delay. You’ll like it. Not a lot, but you’ll like it.

Eventually, Salem's Lot finds some life in its climax, gleefully unleashing monster mayhem that feels ported over from a much more enjoyable B-movie.

Like a human turned into a creature of the night, Salem’s Lot kicks off with a strong sense of identity that slowly gives way to mindless vampire nonsense.

Salem’s Lot is a clipped horror that partially works thanks to a handful of assured performances and key style choices.