Everyone thinks of Bram Stoker's Count Dracula when it comes to discussing literary vampires. Although this famous writer is responsible for bringing the sexiest undead man alive into the pop culture mainstream, he was only one of many to transcribe the ancient myth. Vampires are versatile characters, which is why both creators and audiences like them. They can be beautiful, horrifying, dangerous, benevolent, or all of the above.
All of the writers and filmmakers that turned to vampires' movies might have been inspired by Bram Stoker's work, but it's by no means the beginning and end of the genre. Even Bram Stoker's Dracula, one of the more popular examples of a faithful adaptation, makes profound changes to the original story make the character more likable. There are still several great films that have nothing to do with Count Dracula, Jonathan Harker, or even the ubiquitous Van Helsing, for when movie fans need a break from the mainstream myth.
Blade 2 (2002)
The Blade series is noted for giving fans the concept of a "dhampir," or a half-vampire character, a unique concept that lore had only touched on previously in the vintage films and Stoker himself never discussed.
The second movie gets even more creative with its depictions of vampires, delving into their order as a complex society, along with their true place in the food chain. The twist here is that the vampires aren't necessarily the villains, and depicting vampires as sympathetic was another new idea at the time.
Thirst (2009)
Korean movies, in particular, those in the horror and historical drama categories, have gained notoriety on the international scene. Instead of the usual trope about being bitten, the main character in this movie is stricken with vampirism through a failed medical experiment. He has to abandon his previously peaceful, humble life and learn to live with his "thirst."
Instead of taking inspiration from Stoker, the script is an adaptation of the novel Thérèse Raquin by Emile Zola, which isn't about vampires specifically, but the sordid and greedy appetites of humans, in general.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)
They've been with us since the beginning, some of the legends say. That's what's suggested with this story of "Adam and Eve." The two main characters have existed for centuries and have a rather cynical take on the progress of human civilization. It turns out they aren't so high and mighty after all when their relationship has to deal with that age-old problem, difficult family .
Only Lovers Left Alive was released in 2013, and not only is it still beautiful to watch, but it's also aged well, balancing the angst of age with the difficulty of staying relevant. That might be what vampire movies are really about, anyway.
Ganja & Hess (1973)
It's just a routine archaeological dig for Dr. Hess Green until his manic assistant stabs him with an ancient knife, and he wakes up one morning with an insatiable lust for human blood.
This is both an art film and a horror movie, and the real issue is whether a new relationship can survive the revelation of a dark secret. There are two versions of Ganja and Hess: one that was edited for audiences in theaters, and the original version that was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. One tries too hard to be a campy horror movie, and it's not difficult to guess which.
The Addiction (1995)
Here's an example of a movie in which vampirism is used to symbolize another relevant and difficult social issue, in this case, intravenous drug use. The main character is a grad student who majored in philosophy and is bitten by a vampire, turning her into one, and most of the film explores how she comes to with her new addiction.
The setting is New York, and the newly born vampire also has to navigate her way through the urban jungle of the big city, which is just as stark and terrifying as any haunted castle.
Byzantium (2012)
Can you ever really escape the past, or for that matter, a hungry vampire? Byzantium asks both questions when two mysterious women show up at a local resort in a sleepy coastal town. The title is a reference to the name of the resort, but overall it invokes the idea of the vampire as an eternal creature.
The basic premise of this movie was inspired by a short work that came from the same friendly contest that prompted Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein. Another participant, John Polidori, wrote a short story simply entitled "The Vampyre." The main character, Ruthven, was modeled after their mutual friend and fellow writer, Byron. There's a character in this movie with the same name, hinting this film was inspired by the vampire literature that pre-dated Stoker.
What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
This 2014 film resonated so well with audiences that it prompted a television series. Taika Waititi writes, directs, and stars in this quirky look at the life of a modern vampire and it looks to answer some serious questions in a humorous way.
For example, if a vampire doesn't cast a reflection, how do they do their hair or dress for the club? If a vampire can only go to the bank during the night, how do they pay the rent? Viewers can count on some decent comedy and action watching immortal beings deal with the everyday mundane parts of life.
Vampire's Kiss (1988)
A cult classic that's also popular with Nicolas Cage fans, Vampire's Kiss is an interesting mix of horror and comedy in a neat 1980s time capsule. The question in this story is more about whether or not Peter Loew is really turning into a vampire or if his condition isn't really just the result of another big city publishing executive having a nervous breakdown.
The way the film is shot and how the architecture of Manhattan mimics the high mountains and Gothic spires of Transylvania is perhaps another part of Peter's delusions. Assuming, of course, that they are delusions.
Vampires (1998)
John Carpenter is one of the most iconic directors of the late 20th century. His films are a unique mixture of action, adventure, and horror, and Vampires is one of the lesser-known offerings, lost in the malaise of late 1990s vampire movies. It's an interesting story about vengeance and an ancient artifact that harkens back to the good old days of monster slaying.
The leading man, Jack Crow, is the leader of a team that rides a mean desert chopper and kicks vampire ass. So naturally, the Vatican turns to him for help when they need him to find an ancient artifact, or at least keep the vampires from getting to it first. Jack isn't an easy guy to like and bears an uncomfortable resemblance to the real-life James Woods, but it is fun to watch him go on a bloody rampage.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Quentin Tarantino put together so many of his favorite things in this movie, it's no wonder it's great fun to watch. The storyline is every bit as sordid and insane as a Tarantino fan would expect, telling the tale of two bank robbers and their cowering hostages that blunder into a nest of bloodsucking undead.
Add other big-name stars, like Selma Hayek and George Clooney, into the mix and you've got an iconic film. Plus, it has vampires.
