This is an adaptation of the Stephen King novel about vampires taking over a small town. I can say with confidence that it is quite a bit better than the cheeseball late 70s TV miniseries. Warner Bros did this one dirty by not giving it a chance at a theatrical run and instead opting for pushing to Max streaming service instead.

Lewis Pullman plays Ben Mears, a writer who just wants to come home to his childhood town of Jerusalem’s Lot to write his next book. At about the same time, a local antiquities dealer accepts a delivery of a large human-shaped box that holds a vampire. Not long after, shit meets fan and the town starts to be overrun with the bloodsucking freaks.

Top-to-bottom, the cast was superb. The production value and cinematography were spot-on for delivering the mid-70s aesthetic without sacrificing quality. The FX, especially the vampire eyes were very effective. 

Where I had a little trouble was the pacing. It felt too fast at times, because they were taking a moderately sized book and cramming it into a 2-hour movie. I really wanted there to be more character development and a sense that time was paced normally. So much happens in such a small amount of screen time that it feels like it basically takes place over the course of 24 hours and I’m pretty sure that isn’t how the book works. 

Regardless, I had a great time and I wish Warner Bros had given this one more of a chance. I think it could have really benefited from a Dune type two-part film structure.

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