Categories: Monster Horror

BLOOD GUZZLING CREATURES OF THE NIGHT! Our insatiable thirst for the Vampire in Film and Television

What is it about the allure of the dark and all of its underlings? It’s human curiosity that compels us to explore the realms of fantasy, but exactly just how many of the fiends that lurk within those realms are simply just the evolution of our wild and creative imaginations?

Of all the sub genres, it’s Monster Horror that houses the subject matter of my earliest and most inextinguishable infatuations. Long before the candied tween melodrama skewed mass perceptions, the “undead” belonged (mostly) to the dimensions of terror. The word vampire induced fear and trepidation fused with an often disconcerting attraction. Vampires were mythology. They were constituents of the underworld.

For a child with a tenaciously analytical nature teamed with an EXTREMELY graphic imagination, horror movies were both compelling and electrifying. But I first learnt of the mysterious fanged blood sucker from literature, and I would explore and consume all that my school library had to offer, including volumes of encyclopedias and other reference materials. I wanted pointed teeth. I wanted pale skin. I wanted to live in a creepy castle, encompassed by a thick, ominous fog and the echoing howls of several predacious wolves.

Whether you choose to embrace the genesis of the folklore or believe that the concept is pure innovation, its impossible to deny that the vampire and what it represents has impacted the genre of horror with immutable ranking.

I have chosen what I consider to be 7 of the best and most iconic presentations of the vampire in film and television. Some will disagree. Some might not. Opinions are subjective.

In no particular order….

BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992): Not only is this a pure cinematic masterpiece, but the story is without doubt one of the most iconic vampire narratives ever created. Count Dracula is the emblematic archetype; the fundamental specimen. The film is a beautiful adaptation of the book. Francis Ford Coppola delivers what I personally deem to be one of the most visually stunning experiences. The use of dark, ominous tones perfectly externalize the key themes of Stokers ‘good versus evil’ and the inherent turmoil of immortality.

THE LOST BOYS (1987): Perhaps one of the most iconic vampire movies made, this classic transcends beyond the fluctuation of generational trends. The film combines horror with comedy in ways that work with impeccable balance. The story is authentic yet simplistic, which is why it delivers so effectively. The vampires are dangerous. The bloodshed is stylized yet satisfying and the characters are appealing. There’s some obvious elements of predictability but overall, The Lost Boys is a justifiably revered selection.

UNDERWORLD (2003): What makes Underworld such a frontrunner are the aesthetics of the film. The saturation of monochromatic hues perfectly mirror the sombre dispositions of both the film’s characters and the entire mood of the narrative. Although more action based than horror, the film combines elements of violence and gore with explicit context to establish itself firmly within the genre. The battle between vampire and werewolf provides the key components for a thoroughly engaging experience. Although it’s successor Underworld Evolutions (2006) seems to accommodate the fundamentals of horror a lot more, this film in itself is a standout and a must for any devotee.

30 DAYS OF NIGHT (2007): I’m somewhat of a traditionalist. Humans are a food source and vampires that covet us for that purpose are vampires that are equally admirable and terrifying. Now, that aside I do love a charismatic and omnipotent villain but there’s something inherently impressive about a species that exhibit primal and savage behaviours. This film delivers in almost every aspect. The setting is remote and frigid, immediately immersing the viewer deep within the isolation and creating the ideal atmosphere. The Alaskan location provides the perfect frontline, where a combination of zero sunlight and the icy, impenetrable extremities mean to favour the antagonists and create the ultimate terrifying scenario.

BLADE (1998): Another action horror on the list, however this film is exemplary in its abilities to alarm and unnerve it’s viewers. From the opening scene where blood rains on ravers from the overhead fire sprinkler system, we are duly mesmerized and nauseated. The gore factor does not end here and the film is chocked full of ‘bloodied’ moments. It’s perhaps exactly for that reason that this film sits so comfortably in the horror genre. The crimson motif is dexterously consistent. For all of its faults, Blade remains a cult favourite on justifiable grounds.

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008): The reasoning behind this addition to my list is fairly straightforward. This film is about a vampire. It is haunting and melancholic, and it depicts an extremely stark account of young love that burgeons amidst suffering and seclusion. It does not cut corners and can be extremely painful to endure, collating with the afflictions and confusions of pre-teen existence. There are moments of grotesque violence that are both pivotal and horrid. This movie stayed with me long after I watched it. To me this is what constitutes a brilliant film.

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (1994): Admittedly, I saw this movie prior to reading Anne Rice’s collection, and I viewed it without any insight. It instantly seduced me as a period piece, as a gothic horror and as a vampire tragedy. As an anti-fan of Tom Cruise I was beyond pleased to see him disappear into Lestat. The agonizing exhaustion of immortal life is portrayed with credence not only by the stellar performances but by the exquisite backdrop that serves to elevate the tones of dread, depravity and oppression. There are plenty of blood-drenched spectacles and a creepy, insatiable vampire-child to add to the mix.

TRUE BLOOD (2008-2014): A television series to contend its place among the illustrious echelon. True Blood like several other entrants on this list, was adapted from books. Its not only completely engaging and explicit, but the series managed to breath new life into a somewhat tired brand. Mixing comedy, drama, action and horror the show’s popularity swiftly escalated beyond cult status. It mingled the supernatural with the esoteric and kept the body count in abundance. The plot varied from the emotional to the outrageous, and the often unpredictable structure just made it even more appealing.

patricia hartmire

I have a degree in Creative Arts (Hons) majoring in Writing and Film Studies. I'm borderline obsessed with the Horror genre, along with criminology and criminal psychology.