1/25/2024

"A Return to 'Salem's Lot" is a risible low budget washout, especially when compared to the superior spookiness of the original 1979 television production. This ill advised return is hampered throughout by a cast that possesses a persistent streak of amateurishness running through it and a pitifully obvious lack of budget. A dogged and grim weariness seems to overshadow the lacklustre production and it is almost as if everyone involved in front and behind the cameras have belatedly come to realise the folly of this insipid and generally unenthusiastic production after only a matter of days. What we are lumbered with is watchable enough and fortunately the vast majority of it has its tongue firmly in its cheek as the filmmakers have endeavoured to inject some dry black humour into the proceedings, although for the most part such business only raises a half smile at best and instead of producing a film skilfully imbued with genuine horror and some deft comedic touches they have delivered a joke instead.