Drácula

Luc Besson's Dracula is not a traditional horror film. Instead, it's a dark romantic epic that reimagines the Dracula legend through a poetic and psychological lens. Set in a brooding, visually stunning atmosphere, the film explores eternal longing, forbidden love, and the isolation of immortality.

Rather than focusing on gore or action, Besson's take is intimate and character-driven. Dracula is portrayed as a tragic, timeless figure, torn between his monstrous nature and a deep, lingering humanity. The story unfolds with elegance, blending gothic elements, haunting visuals, and emotional depth - all wrapped in Besson's signature cinematic flair.

I had pretty much no prior knowledge of this movie before watching it and I did not even know the cast or any of the people involved. The only thing I knew was that it is obviously a movie about Dracula, and therefore I was pleasantly surprised to see some familiar faces here. I have never read the novel by Bram Stoker, but I have seen a few movie adaptations that try to portray Dracula, with the version by Francis Ford Coppola being my favorite. One drawback this movie really has is that there is no way to avoid comparing it to the 1992 adaptation, and with the recent release of Nosferatu by Robert Eggers, there is now another great and distinct adaptation that is flawlessly executed. This movie cannot quite hold up against those other contenders, although I still think there was a lot to enjoy here.

First of all, this movie was visually very pleasing, with some great shots and overall cinematography that was probably the strongest aspect it had to offer. Besides that, the acting was also quite convincing. Caleb Landry Jones is a talented actor who proved again that he is still underrated. Christoph Waltz is one of my favorite actors and he also delivered a strong performance as expected. The rest of the cast was good as well, but in my opinion these two were the standout performers.

The movie definitely had some interesting twists and ideas for the story. I thoroughly enjoyed some of them, while others felt like rather poor choices. I also really appreciated the costumes and makeup, which created a believable depiction of nineteenth-century London. Some of the digital effects were a bit wonky at times, but nothing too distracting. The movie also included a few scenes that could have been left out, which would have helped bring the runtime below two hours, as it started to drag at certain points.

Overall, I think this is an enjoyable film, but nothing particularly remarkable or destined to become a future classic. It offers some strong elements and delivers a few memorable moments, and if you enjoy movies featuring the character of Dracula, this one will likely do its job just fine.

[6,1/10]

It's been almost 30 years since the last Besson film I was thrilled with. It was The Fifth Element, a daring, dynamic film by a brilliant madman... it was a long wait, but Besson is back. The cast is great, the performances are mostly Oscar-worthy, and his new in-house actor Caleb Landry Jones is a very good replacement for the unique Jean Reno. And he would be a great Joker in the style of Heath Ledger in the event of a prequel. A film with heart and soul made for the audience with an anti-hero who is hard to love, but can be understood, and can be sympathized with. I never liked Coppola's version of Bram Stocker's Dracula, and I really wanted someone to make a better version, but I really didn't expect that someone would be my favorite director from the great nineties (Nikita, Leon). I only hope that I don't have to wait another 30 years for a film this great. 10/10.

This movie could have been a masterpiece, the story, while well known, is solid, great actors, seasoned director ... however it felt pretty flat. Some bits are extremely good, while some feel almost goofy, you ask yourself Why ???? But why ????

Quite disappointing because a few logic changes, this movie would have been epic.

Director Luc Besson's take on the legendary vampire myth, Dracula: A Love Tale, is a visually magnificent, if occasionally overwrought, gothic romance that succeeds largely on the strength of its lead performance. The film is, first and foremost, a feast for the eyes. The costume and production design are lavish, transporting the audience with an authenticity and opulence that is breathtakingly gothic. This visual splendor is matched by an intensely committed performance from (Caleb Landry Jones) as the titular Prince Vlad/Dracula. Jones delivers a portrayal of a 400-year-old soul consumed by grief and undying love that is both unsettling and deeply human. His 'old' Dracula is eerie and composed, while the anguish of his younger self is palpable. The film leans heavily into the love tale aspect, providing a compelling, passionate, and tragic core that successfully recaptures the sweeping melodrama of a classic Hammer horror or a Coppola adaptation. The chemistry between Jones and co-star (Zoë Bleu) is electric, providing the emotional fuel for the entire production. While the passion is there, the film often stumbles with its pacing. It rockets through centuries of lore and character development with a speed that sometimes feels jarring. We are given tantalizing glimpses into the lives of key supporting characters, including (Christoph Waltz's) Priest, but they feel underdeveloped, serving more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. The script, at times, struggles to balance the high romantic drama with the classic horror elements, occasionally defaulting to dialogue that feels a touch too cheesy or theatrical for its own good. It's a film that desperately needed a little more room to breathe in its middle acts to allow the audience to fully settle into its narrative rhythm. Dracula: A Love Tale is an undeniable guilty pleasure for fans of the gothic-romantic vampire genre. It's a gorgeous, over-the-top spectacle carried by a magnetic central performance that grounds the more fantastical elements. It lacks the cohesive polish or thematic depth to be a masterpiece, but its sheer visual flair and raw emotional intensity make it a truly captivating, if imperfect, cinematic experience. Go for the style, stay for Caleb Landry Jones' unforgettable Count!