Three years before the most recent Salem's Lot adaptation arrived, horror master Mike Flanagan created disappointing Salem's Lot movie falls short of greatness.

Originally a 1975 horror novel by King, Salem's Lot centers on writer Ben Mears, who returns to his hometown of Jerusalem's Lot, Maine. Unfortunately for Ben, a lot has changed over the years. Namely, the residents of Jerusalem's Lot are becoming vampires. The town's eeriest house was purchased by Austrian immigrant Kurt Barlow, who winds up being an ancient vampire that Ben must confront in Salem's Lot's ending. This makes thematically similar to Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass, giving the two stories a deep spirtual connection.

Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass Show Feels Like A New Take On Stephen King's Salem's Lot Story

The Vampiric Entity In Midnight Mass Has A Lot In Common With Salem's Lot

Although Midnight Mass is an original story, the similarities between Flanagan's Netflix series and King's book are striking. Much like Salem's Lot, Midnight Mass begins with a man returning home. However, Riley Flynn isn't a writer — he's a former venture capitalist who's still grappling with his guilt over a drunk driving incident. Riley's hometown is a deeply religious community, though the parish's numbers have dwindled over the years. Coincidentally, Riley's arrival overlaps with that of a charismatic young priest. This new arrival impacts the town similar to Barlow's arrival leading to a vampire plague.

Linklater's Father Paul Hill is as enigmatic as he is charming. At first, the townspeople think Father Paul will be a temporary replacement for the aged Monsignor Pruitt, but the priest becomes crucial in revitalizing the small town's faith. To make matters even more interesting, Father Paul seems capable of creating miracles. Riley and the other townspeople learn that Father Paul brought something more than just his faith back from a trip to Jerusalem. Although not quite a Salem's Lot-style vampire, the winged creature is more vampiric than angelic.

Midnight Mass Tackles Salem's Lot's Book Themes Better Than The 2024 Movie

The Religious Themes In Midnight Mass Ground Flanagan's Original Story In Age-Old Questions

Although Midnight Mass is not strictly a Salem's Lot adaptation, King's influence can be deeply felt. Given the 2024's Salem's Lot movie's shortcomings, Midnight Mass might just be the best Salem's Lot-type story since the 1979 miniseries. It's a dark and compelling story that feels tonally reminiscent of Stephen King's works. One of Mike Flanagan's best shows and movies, Midnight Mass is definitely worth watching for any fan of Salem's Lot, as it's better than almost any official version of the story.

Unlike the 2024 Salem's Lot movie, Midnight Mass tackles its central themes expertly. From the big religious questions to the vampire symbolism, Midnight Mass weaves everything together elegantly, which is why it's so reminiscent of King's Salem's Lot. Midnight Mass' hidden meanings and central themes revolve around the ways horror and faith intersect. Forgiveness plays a huge role in the story for every single character. In fact, the whole reason Father Paul brings Midnight Mass’ vampire monster back to Crockett Island is because he's punishing himself for past deeds. Midnight Mass might be heavy-handed, but it's also beautifully rendered.