With the release of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” the latest installment in the highly profitable on-going vampire soap-opera, the influence of vampires in movie culture is still undeniably prevalent. Before the series, it would be ridiculous to think that vampires would ever grace the front of Burger King cups.
Upon witnessing the ravenous hysteria of pre-pubescent girls (almost like a pack of vampires) swooning over the story of a high school girl falling for a bedheaded, constantly brooding vamp-hunk, the question comes to mind: When did vampires become so defanged?
We live in an era where most people who buy their babies’ “Team Edward” shirts forget that vampires were originally conceived as agents of the devil who were repelled by the appearance of a crucifix. This is not a new trend, though, as the vampire movie has long been a staple of cinema, bubbling to the surface at some point in every decade since the ’20s as a viable commercial prospect.
Since F.W. Murnau’s 1922 landmark “Nosferatu” (an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic horror novel “Dracula”), vampires have been terrifying viewers with reliable consistency. The premise of a bloodsucking demon sneaking around at night turning innocent mortals into his army of the undead has provided many filmmakers with enough material to sink their teeth into.
For those of us who enjoy vampire movies that are actually scary and involve vampires that don’t glitter in the sunlight or go to high school, here are three of my favorite vampire movies that any casual horror fan might want to check out:
1) “Dracula” (1931)
Directed by Tod Browning, “Dracula” remains the eternal watermark by which all other vampire movies are judged. Featuring an iconic performance by Bela Lugosi as the Count, the film is an absolute classic of the horror genre, as well as a premier example of German expressionism in film, thanks to the atmospheric and chilling camera work of Karl Freund. The film, even when viewed today, has a very potent sense of ominous dread that permeates every scene and still manages to effectively crawl under the viewer’s skin. There has been much debate about whether “Dracula” is truly the best vampire film of all time (some would give that honor to Murnau’s “Nosferatu”), but its legacy remains indisputable. Start here.
2) “Let the Right One In” (2008)
Perhaps the best vampire movie of the 2000s, “Let the Right One In” manages to be simultaneously creepy and moving, all while bringing back the ability of the vampire movie to shock the audience. With a story about child vampires, Tomas Alfredson’s tight direction coupled with excellent lead performances from its two child protagonists makes the film warmly human yet chillingly cold in its portrayal of vampiric bloodlust.
What is truly shocking about the film, however, is its depiction of the formation of violent tendencies in young people and their budding sexuality. A thought-provoking movie that demands repeat viewings, “Let the Right One In” is a stunning statement on growing up around violence and one of the best vampire movies ever made.
3) “Cronos” (1993)
The directorial debut of Guillermo del Toro (who also directed “Pan’s Labyrinth”), “Cronos” subverted the vampire genre by adding an additional layer of surrealism that only a visionary like del Toro could provide. The story involves an old antiques dealer who discovers a parasite within an ancient artifact that gives the owner eternal life as well as, unbeknownst to him, vampire-like qualities. Traces of del Toro’s still-evolving lush yet visceral style are found all over this unconventional vampire tale, especially in the old man’s transformation scenes. “Cronos” is a fascinating vampire movie with very human performances, as well as an impressive start for an auteur who would continue to contribute to the vampire genre (see “Blade II”).
Other Notable Vampire Films
This list includes Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow’s “Near Dark,” Werner Herzog’s “Nosferatu the Vampyre,” 80’s horror-comedy “Fright Night” and Robert Rodriguez’s “From Dusk Till Dawn,” which features a script from Quentin Tarantino.
Vampire movies, it seems, will never go out of style. While they are used more these days to sell merchandise to teenagers than to actually scare audiences, the good films will surely outshine the mediocre ones 10 years down the road. The current popularity of vampire movies provides a testament to the genre’s staying power.
