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I love vampires. For as long as I can remember, they have been my favourite mythical creatures (idc I think they are real) that if I were put into a situation where I could become one, I think I would. So as you can imagine, I loved Luc Besson’s rendition of ‘Dracula’ starring Caleb Landry Jones as Vlad/Dracula and Zoe Bleu Sidel as Elisebeta/Mina. The story tells a beautiful rendition of the classical novel ‘Dracula’ written by Bram Stoker, released in 1897, and although I have not read the book, this film has made me want to. The chemistry between actors, costume and production design, music, and makeup all come together to create a beautiful, emotionally driven, and romantic story.
The chemistry between these two was so beautiful to watch unfold on screen. The opening montage of the two being in love and showing their devolution for each other gave me butterflies. It was one of my favourite aspects of the movie and had me yearning for what they had. Caleb does such a beautiful job of showcasing heartache and loss through Dracula as the audience roots for him and what he wants, although he is killing people and turning them into vampires we can’t help but hope that he succeeds. The absolute joy I felt watching the two reunite on screen made my heart ache. As Mina slowly remembers who she once was and the love that the two shared was very emotional. The scene in which the two are looking into each other’s eyes, speaking to one another while Mina remembers the last things she said to Vlad has such an amazing payoff. Their romance is what drives the story and ultimately ends it. The line “You think god will forgive us for loving each other so much’ was something that has really stuck with me but also perfectly foreshadows the conclusion of the story. ‘Dracula’ has such a painful and tragic ending that I couldn’t help but feel a sense of heaviness in my chest as the credits had begun to roll. I hope the two found each again in another life.
I love, love, love the makeup and costuming during the film. It was such a joy to watch it evolve throughout the story, particularly the transformation of Dracula from his human form to his weaker self to ultimately his most powerful self. The architecture as well was incredibly beautiful. Vlad’s castle was probably my favourite location in the film. The interior was incredibly beautiful and is further enhanced by the stunning blue and yellow lighting. The special effects were also a standout of the film! Dracula in his weakest form looked amazing on screen. You can definitely tell that the artist put so much hard work into his appearance, and it certainly paid off.
I gave this film a ⅘ on Letterboxd! It’s funny because this movie has finally motivated me enough to book a solo trip to Romania to see the real Dracula’s castle. If you are a fan of gothic cinema, romance, and devotion, I believe that this is the perfect film to watch and enjoy. I have come to realise that horror-adjacent gothic cinema is my favourite thing to watch, and I find myself always coming back to it. Although this is far from a perfect film, the atmosphere is what really draws you in as you become fully engrossed in the world of these characters. It saddens me that I missed this in the cinema, so if you get the chance to watch it on the big screen, I highly encourage you to do so!!
The Hermit xox
Arcana Cinema 
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