By Bryan C (Lorebrary Editor)
In honor of our recent Spooktober podcast episode of Poltergeist, I wanted to compare the two versions of Salem’s Lot: Salem’s Lot (1979) vs. Salem’s Lot (2024)
Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot has held a special place for me in vampire horror. As a ten-year-old, I was scared silly by the 1979 miniseries. After seeing this program, I could not face my bedroom window for a long time. Rocking chairs were never the same. About a year later, I read the book and held onto that mass paperback copy in my library for many years.
The story’s strength lies in its atmospheric tension, unsettling small-town secrets, and timeless terror of vampirism. Both versions approach the material differently, each with its unique take on terror and storytelling.
The most significant difference for me is this: if you want the Cliffs Notes version of the story, try the 2024 movie. If you’re going to savor this horror tale, dive into the 1979 miniseries.
With its nearly three-hour runtime, the 1979 Salem’s Lot miniseries benefits from the 1970s era’s slower-paced, suspense-building style. Tobe Hooper, known for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist, infused the miniseries with a sense of dread that built gradually, lingering on eerie moments and letting the town’s isolation amplify the fear. The classic miniseries is visually restrained yet effective, using shadows, ominous music, and brief but impactful scares. Reggie Nalder’s Barlow became an unforgettable symbol of horror. He does not speak, which makes it even more terrifying, a throwback to the Nosferatu movies. This gives James Mason’s Richard Straker more room to interact with people. We even see him with Barlow together. While it may feel a little dated to today’s viewers, the 1979 miniseries is very good in using atmosphere and pacing to build horror without relying heavily on special effects. But for me, as a ten-year-old, the special effects were fantastic: the floating people, the eyes, and the fangs. Yet, I will never forget the actor’s voices as they call to their friends and loved ones. Truly frightening.
In contrast, the 2024 Salem’s Lot movie takes a more modern and streamlined approach, compressing the story into a tighter, more cinematic format. It hits all the critical points of the story but can’t linger for long. Both adaptations focus on relationships, especially between protagonists Ben Mears and Susan Norton. With enhanced visual effects, a more elaborate production design, and a grittier take on Barlow, the 2024 film provides a more visceral horror experience that fits today’s audiences. The horror is more immediate, with sudden shocks and tension that modern moviegoers expect. It has the taste of Netflix’s Midnight Mass to it.
Ultimately, the 1979 miniseries is known for its eerie, slow-building dread, while the 2024 movie offers a revitalized version that combines strong visuals. I suggest seeing the 2024 movie first to learn the vital plot points, then sit down with the miniseries. The book, its miniseries, and its films remind us why we fear what lurks in the shadows of small towns.