Dracula Movie Critique – Besson’s Passionate Reimagining of the Timeless Gothic Tale is Absurd but Engaging
Perhaps interest is limited for a new version of Dracula from Luc Besson, the French maestro for polished extravagance. And yet, it’s worth noting: his lavishly upholstered love story with vampires boasts bold vision and flair – and with its B-movie charm, it could be preferable compared with the recent, stately interpretation by Robert Eggers of Nosferatu. There are some very bizarre touches, such as a scene that seems to depict a geographic divide between France and Romania.
The Veteran Actor as a Clever but Weary Clergyman Hunting Vampires
Christoph Waltz embodies a humorous yet burdened vampire-hunting priest – I can’t believe he hasn’t played such a part earlier – who finds himself in Paris in 1889 to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Likewise present is the malevolent vampire count, played by the seasoned horror actor Caleb Landry Jones with a mangled central European accent reminiscent of Steve Carell’s Gru of the Despicable Me series. It’s a role he seemed destined to play.
The Plot: A Saga of Heartbreak
The story is this: Dracula has traveled ceaselessly the world in sorrow over four centuries since he became undead, a penalty due to his blasphemous mourning after the passing of his beloved Elisabeta (an inaugural screen appearance for Zoë Bleu, the offspring of Rosanna Arquette). The count has looked tirelessly for a female who would be the rebirth of his departed beloved. Unfortunately, the chosen woman proves to be Mina (also Bleu, of course), the demure fiancee of the count’s timid estate manager, Jonathan Harker (Ewens Abid), who just traveled to Dracula’s fortress to discuss his property portfolio and the tiny painting of the winsome Mina drew the vampire’s attention.
Besson’s Handling and Humorous Style
Besson structures Dracula’s flashback sequence of international journeys sporting extravagant attire with a sure hand, and he willingly includes giving us some comedy moments reminiscent of Mel Brooks – such as the count’s repeated and futile attempts to kill himself following Elisabeta’s passing, along with comical sequences that follow Dracula applies to himself using a particular scent in historic Florence, that renders him unavoidably attractive to females. Absurd yet engaging.
Dracula is on digital platforms starting December 1st and on DVD and Blu-ray from 22 December. It will be shown in Australian cinemas starting February 5, 2026.
