Salem's Lot: Constantine is Out, His Bad-ass Junior is the New Future

Hello Peliplaters!

At first glance, the poster above might make you think Stranger Things has had a spin-off, doesn't it?

In terms of the overall narrative, Salem's Lot does share similarities with Stranger Things. However, in this movie, adults dominate the protagonist's scenes. Honestly, I found that those scenes featuring the adults lack excitement. It was the child character, Mark Petrie, who truly captivated me.

Don't underestimate Mark. While other characters are unarmed, his backpack brims with vampire-slaying weapons. In addition to killing his parents, the vampires turn his best friend into their servant. As a result, rage overwhelms Mark's fear. He has no time to be afraid because all his energy needs to be channeled towards revenge. When others panic at the sight of vampires, Mark is the first to arm himself and fight back.

You know, I've always wondered about monsters in horror movies: why do they always scare people before killing them? Typically, you'll catch a glimpse of them in a shadowy setting, then see their full form in a jump-scare close-up. Next, you'll watch terrified characters flee until they're cornered and killed in despair.

Sure, this approach amps up the shock effect. But afterward, you can't help but wonder: why don't the characters use that time to fight back instead of trying to escape?

If Constantine were to retire, I'd nominate Mark as his successor in a heartbeat.

Take a look at the stake in his hand. Doesn't it seem like he fashioned it himself from a baseball bat? This scene isn't about vampires troubling him; it's Mark storming their lair. To gear up for his vampire-slaying mission, he's not only crafted a homemade cross but also carries with him a water bottle he fills with holy water at the church every day.

Unlike his counterparts, Mark doesn't dither in fear or waste time strategizing. He's made up his mind—every vampire he meets must get staked. The moment a bloodsucker shows its face, Mark's ready to plunge that stake right into its heart.

A word of caution if you're planning to watch this flick with your kids: stick around for the whole duration. In one particularly intense scene, Mark goes full-on warrior mode and bashes a vampire minion's skull with a golf club.

Where does Mark get his personality from? The movie only briefly touches on this. In the opening scene, we see Mark being bullied. Rather than submitting to the bullies, he fights back fiercely and overpowers them, refusing to relent even after they plead for mercy.

Many viewers gave this movie low ratings, but a closer look at the negative reviews reveals a common thread: "This movie is too short; it should have been a TV series." I share this sentiment. Interestingly, such criticism suggests that the movie isn't bad—it's just underdeveloped, leaving the audience wanting more.

In my view, director Gary Dauberman should have given Mark more screen time. A young exorcist—isn't that a cool character concept? He behaves like an undisciplined badass and he's merciless when confronting demons. He may appear to be easily bullied by his peers because he's puny, but he stands unflinching before the demons that terrify everyone else. He likely grapples with typical teenage issues, but his resolve to exorcise demons remains unshakeable.

Who didn't dream of saving the world in their youth?

As adults, however, we rarely find time to contemplate world-saving. Perhaps we were at our bravest during childhood.