[MOVIE REVIEW] Dracula is love at first bite

It sounds amazing being immortal, but what happens when you start missing your ex from 100 years ago?

Dracula (2026) is a love letter to all Dracula movies that came before it. It’s stylish, violent, and passionate; a tragic tale that will have your blood rushing.

Prince Vladimir is in the midst of a battle against the Ottomans. It means little to him compared to the love he has for his wife Elisabeta. Her death erodes Vladimir’s faith, renouncing God by killing a priest. In response, God curses him with immortality. In spite of his fate, the prince storms the centuries with his lust and a desire to find his love as the dark lord Count Dracula.

I was entertained for the entirety of the film. It was clear that Luc Besson is a big fan of the prince of darkness. The movie was filled with scenes that felt like a homage to previous Dracula films. Caleb Landry Jones is perfectly cast. He plays a selfish and devious take on the character. The emotions he displayed were raw and sympathetic, never coming off unearned. Christoph Waltz is fantastic as a seasoned vampire hunting priest. He’s meticulous and merciful in the face of evil. He isn’t named Van Helsing, but it’s clear he’s meant to be the stand in for him.

The scenes in the 15th century were one of my favorite moments. The brutality and resourcefulness that were displayed in the battle against the Ottomans and the Princess’s chase scene were fantastic. The Ottoman’s battle scene is shot in a frenetic way, making for a chaotic scene filled with fire, glistening armor, and steel clacking.

The Princess' chase is intense and unpredictable. Once she rides her horse into the open snow fields, she is surrounded by bear traps that threaten her and the angry Ottoman soldiers that draw near. These traps create so much tension as the soldiers drag their blades to set them off with each step, getting closer to Elisabeta. The animal acting of the Horses is also impressive during these scenes when they get snagged by the traps. I was amazed to see a real animal in an action scene like this. It’s incredible to see a horse do a pratfall.

Cinematographer Colin Wandersman and Besson create a visual experience that’s grand and brooding. Every scene was full of color and operatic props. The rooms in Dracula’s castle felt rich with history, and lived in for far too long. We can see the journey he’s been through and the moments in time he experienced with something as simple as a gramophone. Costumes were elegant and expressive of the state the characters were in. Each outfit Dracula wore told his journey through their fibers, metals, and jewels.

My issues with the film come from the derivativeness of its visual storytelling. The look of Dracula when he’s decrepit is strikingly similar to the costuming from Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992). I understand if something works why change perfection, but he looks like a cheap cosplay in comparison. The battle against the Ottomans was done well, but it was a pale imitation of the battles in Dracula Untold (2014). They left more to be desired and were shrouded with questionable green screens.

The gargoyles are an element that feels out of place for this movie. They were fumbling around and attacking like they were from a video game. They looked atrocious. When they show up, they really stand out.

I liked this movie a lot. It’s the heartsick, blood lusting terror of a watch. A succinct coming together of skilled artists showing audiences that passion is fleeting, but love is eternal. If you want a blood-sucking romance, go see Dracula.

7 neck bites out of 10.