Salem’s Lot (2024) Ending Explained: What Happens to Ben Mears, Kurt Barlow, and Jerusalem’s Lot

Featuring Lewis Pullman, Makenzie Leigh, and Pilou Asbæk, Salem’s Lot explores the story of Ben Mears, who returns to his childhood town of Jerusalem’s Lot in search of inspiration for his next novel.

Upon arrival, he is met with a grim reality: the town is infested by a savage vampire. In a bid to save his hometown, Ben rallies a group of misfits to confront this supernatural menace. The official synopsis for Salem’s Lot reads:

“An author returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot in search of inspiration for his next book, only to discover that the townspeople are being attacked by a bloodthirsty vampire.”

Salem’s Lot Features a Gripping and Heart-Wrenching Ending

In Salem’s Lot, Ben Mears faces off against the vampire Kurt Barlow, the source of the town’s turmoil. Barlow’s goal is to transform Jerusalem’s Lot into a vampire haven. The climax sees Ben succeed in defeating Barlow, dimming the light in the vampire’s eyes.

Regrettably, Jerusalem’s Lot has already been overrun by vampires by this time. The once-vibrant town devolves into a ghost town, with many residents now transformed into bloodsuckers. Throughout the film, Ben also forges a bond with Mark, a young boy he identifies with.

Towards the conclusion of Salem’s Lot, Ben and Mark leave their hometown, now starkly altered from what it once was. Ben, who suffered the loss of his parents in Jerusalem’s Lot, grapples with the deaths of many friends. His journey circles back, as he initially returned to the town to escape his unresolved trauma. Simultaneously, he resolves to protect Mark, hoping to help him evade a similar fate.

Ben also must confront a painful moment when he kills Susan Norton, who has succumbed to vampirism. Aware that Susan must be dealt with, he assigns the task to his ally, Dr. Cody, played by Alfre Woodard. Tragically, Woodard’s character also falls in the final confrontation, forcing Ben to take decisive action himself.

This event deepens Ben’s resolve to never return to Jerusalem’s Lot. The film concludes, showcasing Jerusalem as a ghost town overrun with vampires, where human inhabitants are either fleeing or perishing.

Thus, Salem’s Lot portrays a small town spiraling into chaos, ultimately overtaken by vampires. The film’s ending also highlights Kurt Barlow’s choice of Jerusalem’s Lot, driven by the town’s existing corruption and decay. While Ben triumphs against Barlow, his victory feels hollow as he cannot redeem his hometown from the grips of evil.

Salem’s Lot faithfully captures the essence of Stephen King’s novel, presenting a chilling tale of loss, grief, and of course, vampires, closing on a resonant yet heartbreaking note.

Salem’s Lot is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.

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