Salem’s Lot ending explained: Do Ben and Mark stop Barlow’s vampire uprising?

As a seasoned horror enthusiast with a penchant for all things supernatural, I must say that the ending of Salem’s Lot was both satisfying and chilling. The way Tobe Hooper masterfully weaved the themes of fear, isolation, and redemption left me on the edge of my seat until the very last scene. The fact that our protagonist, Ben Mears, managed to vanquish the ancient vampire, Barlow, by staking him through the heart not once, but twice, was a triumphant conclusion to an otherwise bleak tale.

Since Salem’s Lot is now accessible to stream on Max, have you managed to catch a viewing yet? We did, and we found it to be a fairly good cinematic rendition. It’s based on Stephen King’s well-known 1975 horror novel with the same title, marking its first film adaptation. Previous adaptations include the 1979 and 2004 miniseries under the same name.

In the supernatural horror genre, directed and scripted by Gary Dauberman (known for works like “The Conjuring” and “It” movies), lies the film titled “Salem’s Lot.” Set in 1975, the story revolves around Ben Mears, a writer who revisits his childhood home, Jerusalem’s Lot, or more famously known as Salem’s Lot. His intention is to find inspiration for his upcoming novel and face his personal demons. However, upon returning, he finds himself embroiled in a life-or-death struggle with the townsfolk after a ravenous vampire named Barlow moves into their midst, transforming residents into his own kind.

With an increasing number of people inexplicably vanishing only to resurface as vampires, it falls upon Ben, a youthful character named Mark, and their companions to thwart Barlow’s growing vampire insurgency. However, will they manage to accomplish this daunting task? Read on to find out how the chilling movie concludes!

Spoilers ahead from Salem’s Lot.

Salem’s Lot ending explained: Do Ben and Mark stop Barlow’s vampire uprising?

How does Salem’s Lot end?

Indeed, the motley crew successfully halts Barlow for good. Yet, only two members endure till the final chapter: our hero, Ben, and the youthful character, Mark. Coincidentally, just as Ben comes back to the tranquil town of Salem’s Lot, an enigmatic figure named Richard Straker emerges from London and settles in Marsten House, the ominous dwelling on the hill.

He sets up shop in town, naming his business “Barlow and Straker Fine Furnishings.” However, we quickly find out that he’s not just coming to the town for a fresh new start. He has an ulterior motive, and that’s to help his master, an ancient vampire named Kurt Barlow, stage a vampire uprising by turning everyone in the “already dying town” into vampires. Barlow’s first victim is a young kid by the name of Ralphie, who is used as a sacrifice to consecrate the town’s grounds.

Later on, Barlow transforms Ralphie’s sibling, Danny, into his initial vampire. Following Danny’s burial, Danny emerges from his grave to bite Mike, thereby making him the town’s second resident to be transformed. Danny’s mother is turned into a vampire next, and subsequently, Matt Burke, the teacher. However, tragedy strikes as Danny’s mother meets her end at the hands of a burning cross. Ben is faced with a difficult choice when he must stake Matt through his heart. As time passes, more townspeople are bitten, leaving only Ben, Susan, Mark, Dr. Cody, and Father Callahan alive in the movie at this juncture.

While Mark is secluded, he tragically ends up killing Straker at the Marsten House using a solid item, striking him a few times. Now, Ben, Susan, Mark, Dr. Cody, and Father Callahan must decide their subsequent course of action. Mark shares with the group that it’s crucial they rescue his parents before Barlow reaches them first. Mark and Father Callahan then head to Mark’s home in an attempt to convince Mark’s parents to join them at the church, but they refuse the offer.

In the unfolding events, Barlow arrives at Mark’s home and slaughters his parents. Subsequently, he meets his end by taking Father Callahan’s life. With everyone else deceased, Mark stands solitary. Simultaneously, Ben and Susan arrive at Susan’s residence only to discover that Barlow has converted Susan’s mother into his new servitor. Given that Straker is now gone, Barlow seeks a replacement for this role.

Mike shows up out of nowhere and bites Susan in the neck, turning her into a vampire. Ben grabs Susan and runs out the front door with her while Susan’s mom shoots at them with a shotgun. While Mark hides in a treehouse being terrorized by kid vampires, Ben brings a turned Susan to the church. Initially, he thinks he can save her, but he realizes it’s too late when she starts reacting negatively to being in the church. Now fully a vamp, Susan knocks Ben out and runs out of the church. Ben chases after her but stops when he notices Mike and several other vampires standing on the roof of a nearby building.

He runs back to the church, and just as he’s about to go through the doors, Mike snatches him up. However, he manages to kill him by stabbing him in the heart with a sharp object. Ben and Dr. Cody stay in the church for the night and leave the following day. As they drive through the town the next morning, they notice how quiet it is. This is because everyone’s been turned into vampires, and they’re hiding because of the sun. Ben and Dr. Cody then go to Mark’s house to find him, only to discover that Mark’s parents and Father Callahan have been killed. Before they leave the house, they find a note from Mark saying that he’s going to kill Barlow.

In another location, Mark encounters Danny at Barlow & Straker Fine Furnishings. He confronts Danny there. Exiting the store, he spots Ben and Dr. Cody. They collectively decide to head to a drive-in movie theater because they suspect vampires are hiding there. Upon arrival, they uncover that the vampires are actually concealed within the car trunks. They locate Susan in one of the trunks, and at the moment when Dr. Cody is about to impale her, Susan’s mother suddenly appears and mortally wounds Dr. Cody instead. Meanwhile, Ben and Mark scramble for cover as Susan’s mother emerges, with the sunset approaching and more vampires surfacing from the car trunks.

Currently, Ben and Mark are fleeing from both vampires and Susan’s mother. Ben falls prey to multiple vampires, but Mark locates a car and speeds through a large movie screen in the process, causing it to collapse. This exposes the sunlight, which annihilates all the vampires. Susan’s mom discovers Ben and readies herself to shoot him, only to be struck by an oncoming vehicle. Abandoning the car, Mark links up with Ben to hunt down Barlow. After locating his coffin, they attempt to pry it open. Barlow emerges from the coffin, causing Ben and Mark to scamper into a nearby edifice.

Within the structure, Ben and Mark unexpectedly encounter Susan. In a sudden move, Susan throws Mark out of the window. Mark takes refuge behind a car while Ben and Susan engage in a physical struggle indoors. Eventually, Ben gains control and fatally wounds Susan with a pointed instrument in her chest. He exits to find Barlow preparing to transform Mark. He impales Barlow with a sharp object through his mouth before seizing him and hurling him aside. As Barlow falls to the ground, Ben pierces his heart with the same sharp object. As Barlow’s eyes, initially yellow, change to black, it confirms that the ancient vampire has met its end.

After all the vampires had vanished, Ben and Mark climbed into a vehicle and set off on their journey. So, what lies ahead for these two? They are departing this place in pursuit of a brand-new beginning.

That’s how Salem’s Lot wraps. What are your thoughts on the ending?

2024-10-07 20:25