Dracula Movie Critique – Luc Besson’s Romantic Reimagining of the Classic Horror Story is Outlandish but Watchable
It’s possible there is no great enthusiasm for an updated adaptation of Dracula from Luc Besson, the French maestro for stylish excess. Still, one must admit: his opulently crafted vampire romance displays creativity and style – and with its B-movie charm, I’m not sure I wouldn’t prefer compared with Robert Eggers’s recent, solemnly classy version of Nosferatu. There are some very bizarre touches, including one shot that seems to depict a geographic divide between France and Romania.
The Veteran Actor as a Clever but Weary Vampire-Hunting Priest
Christoph Waltz embodies a humorous yet burdened vampire-hunting priest – it feels natural for him to tackle this role before – who ends up in Paris in 1889 to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. So does the malevolent vampire count, brought to life by the expert in grotesque roles Caleb Landry Jones using a distorted Eastern European tone reminiscent of Carell’s Gru character of the Despicable Me series. This character that he too was born to take on.
The Narrative: A Saga of Heartbreak
The story is this: the vampire lord has traveled ceaselessly the globe in anguish over four centuries after his transformation into a vampire, a penalty for his irreligious grief after the passing of his spouse Elisabeta (a first film part for Zoë Bleu, the offspring of Rosanna Arquette). Dracula has looked tirelessly for a female who could be the reincarnation of his departed beloved. Unfortunately, the chosen woman proves to be Mina (portrayed once more by Bleu), the modest betrothed of the count’s timid estate manager, Jonathan Harker (enacted by Ewens Abid), who just traveled to the vampire’s estate to negotiate his land assets and the small picture of the winsome Mina drew the vampire’s attention.
The Filmmaker’s Approach and Lighthearted Touch
Besson structures Dracula’s middle-section history of global roaming wearing flamboyant outfits confidently, and he doesn’t shy away from offering humorous scenes reminiscent of Mel Brooks – such as Dracula’s ongoing failed efforts to commit suicide post-Elisabeta’s demise, as well as farcical scenes that follow Dracula sprays himself with a specific fragrance in historic Florence, which makes him irresistible to women. Outlandish but entertaining.
Dracula is available digitally beginning on the first of December and on DVD and Blu-ray from December 22nd. It screens in Australian cinemas beginning on the fifth of February, 2026.
