Dracula
The brief
Besson trades his usual kinetic style for something surprisingly gothic and melancholy, letting Caleb Landry Jones brood through centuries of immortal anguish with genuinely unsettling commitment. The film moves like thick blood, building dread through atmosphere rather than jump scares, while Christoph Waltz chews scenery as only he can. At 130 minutes it occasionally drags during the middle centuries, but the practical effects work and genuinely romantic core keep it from feeling like another generic vampire retread. Perfect for anyone who wanted more Gary Oldman energy from their undead lords, or who thinks Coppola's version needed more French weirdness.
The verdict
If you crave atmospheric gothic horror with stellar performances and have patience for slow-burn storytelling, this is a genuinely haunting take on the Dracula legend that prioritizes dread over cheap thrills. If you expect fast-paced scares or can't handle a 130-minute runtime that occasionally meanders through its centuries-spanning narrative, you'll find yourself checking your watch more than trembling in fear.
Watch with
- 👫 Date night for gothic horror fans
- 👤 Solo viewing for maximum brood
- ⚠️ Skip if you need quick scares
Heads up
- Graphic violence and blood throughout (frequent)
- Death of spouse (emotional trauma) (moderate)
- Religious themes and denouncement (moderate)
- Medieval battle sequences (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Luc Besson
- Cast
- Caleb Landry Jones, Zoë Bleu Sidel, Christoph Waltz, Matilda De Angelis, Ewens Abid, Guillaume de Tonquédec, David Shields
Official synopsis
'When a 15th-century prince denounces God after the devastating loss of his wife, he inherits an eternal curse:
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Die My Love (2025)
Both explore eternal love cursed by loss and supernatural darkness.
Total runtime: 2h 10m + 1h 59m = 4h 9m
