Salem's Lot

TV-14

2004

3 hr. 12 min.

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

List

68%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

49%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A writer (Rob Lowe) encounters a pair of sinister new residents when he returns to his Maine hometown to research a project.

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Critics Consensus

Salem's Lot is a bit anemic due to a dearth of proper scares, but its effectively creepy atmosphere and solid performances make for a respectable adaptation of Stephen King's revered novel.

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Bobby S

Despite strong casting and the time to bring new blood to this classic Stephen king tale, sadly this retelling directed by danish filmmaker Mikael Salomon lacks atmosphere, dread, menace or fear which the original master of horror Tobe Hoopers' 1979 mini series has in abundance. Oddly Salomon chooses to drag out long sections of prosaic storytelling and minor character development but focuses little on the central cast or the building up moments of terror and menace. Disappointing, won't venture back to this version unlike the brilliant original.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

bruce h

I just watched both the 1979 and the 2004 versions. In my view the 2004 is better overall. I think there is a prejudice against Rob Lowe at play in some of the reviews.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Exlint exciting movie world watch again

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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steve d

Lowe's performance didn't convince me, making the film ok at best.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

I'm sure it'll be deemed blasphemy, but I kind of like this better than the original adaptation. I just like the actors and their interactions with one another better. The drama is just more compelling here, even if the fright factor is pretty scarce. Sure it doesn't have a cool Nosferatu monster, but I was still entertained more this time around.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/07/20

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Audience Member

I could hardly find anything enjoyable in this miniseries. It's corny, it's kitschy, it's got badly written, clichéd dialogue and and the acting and directing feel half-hearted. Nothing worth to be watched (let alone re-watched).

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Mikael Salomon

Director

Rob Lowe

Ben Mears

Andre Braugher

Matt Burke

Donald Sutherland

Richard Straker

Samantha Mathis

Susan Norton

Robert Mammone

Dr. James Cody

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Eric Deggans

Tampa Bay Times

I call it King's Disease: the consistent inability of TV and movie projects to capture the creepy grandeur of horror novelist Stephen King's best work.

Oct 14, 2022

Full Review

Jonathan Storm

Philadelphia Inquirer

In the grand tradition of Don't-Go-in-There! horror movies... TNT presents a thoroughly enjoyable mini-series remake of the Stephen King vampire tale.

Oct 14, 2022

Full Review

Noel Holston

Newsday

Screenwriter Peter Filardi and director Michael Salomon have defied the odds, delivering a four-hour, two-night version of King's vampire-infestation parable that ranks with the best filming of his work.

Oct 14, 2022

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Tom Jicha

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

TNT is to be applauded for adapting a great summer read into a fine summer watch.

Oct 14, 2022

Full Review

Vince Horiuchi

Salt Lake Tribune

I was pleasantly surprised when the new two-part Salem's Lot, based on the Stephen King bestseller about a town of vampires, spooked me. And it did it the old fashioned way, with genuine scares and classic horror elements.

Oct 14, 2022

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Roger Catlin

Hartford Courant

There's hospitals, Maine and mayhem in the series, like "Kingdom Hospital," but this saga of small-town vampires is much better put together and approaches actual entertainment.

Oct 14, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

A writer (Rob Lowe) encounters a pair of sinister new residents when he returns to his Maine hometown to research a project.

Director: Mikael Salomon
Screenwriter: Peter Filardi
Rating: TV-14 (L|V)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Oct 12, 2004

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