Salem's Lot Ending Explained: Who survives the vampire curse?

The 2024 movie Salem's Lot, made its debut on Max for streaming on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name, this horror film takes viewers into the depths of Jerusalem's Lot, a town that quickly becomes overrun with darkness and despair. As the story unspools, the fate of its inhabitants becomes a pressing concern, leading many to question who makes it out alive.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Salem's Lot (2024). Reader's discretion is advised.

At the end of the movie, the once-bustling town is left mostly deserted, but there are a few key survivors, notably Ben Mears and the young Mark, who Ben has almost come to view as a son. Together, they confront the horror that has swallowed their town, but their survival is just the beginning of a tale of courage, loss, and facing past demons.

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How deeply are Ben’s past traumas tied to Salem’s Lot’s curse?

Fans can stream the movie on Max (Image via Warner Bros. Pictures)

The heart of the movie centers on Ben Mears, a man who returns to Salem's Lot, seeking to confront his childhood fears. What he finds, however, is a town succumbing to a vampiric curse by the mysterious Mr. Barlow. Ben, with the help of others, including young Mark, steps up to face this growing threat.

In the 2024 film adaptation of Salem's Lot, Ben Mears is depicted as grappling with personal tragedies. He returns to his childhood home in Jerusalem's Lot, where his parents had died in an accident, marking the start of his search for closure and self-discovery.

The story reveals that Ben has also faced the recent trauma of losing his wife, which profoundly impacts his actions and decisions, demonstrated when he has to confront and ultimately kill Susan after she becomes a vampire.

Ben's crucial decision

A pivotal moment comes when Ben is faced with the harrowing task of killing Susan, his love, after she becomes a vampire. It's a test of strength and will, forcing Ben to confront not just the love he had for Susan but also his own grief and trauma from losses earlier in his life. Ultimately, killing Susan is Ben's way of accepting her death and, by extension, dealing with the deaths of his loved ones.

The fate of Jerusalem's Lot

As the film nears its end, the fate of Jerusalem's Lot is stark. The town, preyed upon not just by supernatural forces but also by its own weaknesses and corruption, stands as a ghost of its former self. Its decline mirrors the societal decay often found in small-town America, making it ripe for Barlow's terror.

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Why Barlow chose Jerusalem’s Lot

Barlow's choice of Jerusalem's Lot is no coincidence. He is drawn to the town not because of its size or location, but because of its inherent vulnerabilities. The film exposes the town's seedy underbelly and collective willingness to ignore burgeoning evil— factors that invite Barlow’s reign of horror.

Differences from the book

The 2024 movie version of Salem's Lot makes the story simpler than the book. Stephen King's novel talks a lot about the main character, Ben Mears' sad past, the bad things already happening in the town, the feeling of losing childhood innocence, and how people deal with sadness.

The movie keeps things more straightforward, focusing mainly on scary moments and fights against vampires. It changes Ben's story to make it easier to follow, and spends less time on the deeper issues King writes about, like how evil can be part of a place or how tough experiences affect people.

It mainly shows Ben fighting the vampires, especially focusing on his relationship with Susan, who becomes a vampire. This choice makes the movie easier for a wider audience to enjoy, and the result is a film that entertains but might not make viewers think as deeply as the book does.

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Looking Towards Salem's Lot 2

The ending leaves the possibility open for a sequel. With Ben and Mark surviving and the town still plagued by undead, there's plenty of room for their story to continue.

This potential for a follow-up mirrors the ending of King’s novel, where Ben and Mark return to confront the remaining darkness in Jerusalem’s Lot. Such a sequel could dive deeper into their battle against the vampiric forces and explore more of the rich themes present in King's work.

Adaptations: Past and Present

Each screen adaptation of Salem's Lot has woven its interpretation of the ending. The 1979 version sees the attempt to quell the vampire infestation with fire, while the 2004 miniseries shifts to a more decisive end with the destruction of the vampire horde and a final confrontation in a Detroit soup kitchen.

Two adaptions of this movie have been made so far (Image via Warner Bros. Pictures)

Closing Chapter: Salem's Lot 2024

The new 2024 version of the story presents a short yet strong showdown. The movie changes quite a few things from the book to make the story fit into lesser time. Most of the exciting parts happen at the drive-in of the town, which is where Ben and Mark end up fighting Barlow and the vampires.

During this face-off with the vampires, as the morning light starts to show, Ben and Mark use the sunlight to their advantage, hoping to get rid of the vampire threat for good. This more straightforward ending aims to wrap up the tale with a feeling that there might be an end to the evil after all.

At the end of the 2024 film version of Salem's Lot, viewers are encouraged to think about the story's deeper messages. The ending brings together important ideas about getting through tough times, sacrificing for others, and standing up to evil.

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