Dracula: A Love Tale

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.

This film is utterly tragically beautiful. I must say that i havent been stuck on a movie for decades but this movie changes everything. It has some humor and will be for sure beloved by people who love dark romance. It hasn't been reviewed greatly because some people might find it bold, but i find it very artistic. Nobody ever took this kind of twists in Dracula movies. I think people are right now a bit thrown back by this twist but i can asure you to watch this movie and be impressed by it!

It takes real nerve to tackle Bram Stoker's most-filmed anti-hero in 2025. First, the role has already been immortalised by everyone from Bela Lugosi to Gary Oldman, so comparisons are savage. Second, gothic horror sits miles away from Luc Besson's usual playground of kinetic sci-fi (The Fifth Element) and neon crime capers (Léon). Walking in, I honestly wasn't sure whether we'd get an idiosyncratic triumph or a beautiful train wreck.

Happily, it's closer to the former. Visually, the film is a feast: swirling Carpathian blizzards bleed into candle-lit castle corridors, while Besson's trademark flair for colour and movement gives the vampire myth a fresh, almost operatic sheen. The cast meet the challenge head-on-Dracula himself is equal parts seductively reptilian and heartbreakingly lonely, and the supporting ensemble never drops the ball. I found myself grinning at several sly nods to past adaptations yet never felt trapped in pastiche.

Where the film stumbles is in the marrow of its story. The plot beats are solid but seldom surprising, and a mid-act detour about Dracula's centuries-old heartbreak lingers a few crimson drops too long. Trim twenty minutes, sharpen a couple of character arcs, and we might be talking instant classic. As it stands, Dracula is a very good film-bold, stylistically sumptuous, thoroughly entertaining-but not quite the genre-redefining masterpiece its ambition hints at.

Verdict: 7.5 / 10. Worth the ticket for the imagery and performances alone; just don't expect it to eclipse Coppola's fang-print on the legend.

Before giving me a thumbs down. Read at least what I have to say :)

Luc Besson's Dracula is a visually arresting, emotionally charged, and hauntingly original take on the iconic legend. From the very first frame, it's clear that this is not just another vampire film-this is Besson in full command of his craft, blending gothic horror, art-house style, and deeply human storytelling into something truly unforgettable.

The cinematography is stunning-moody shadows, rich textures, and bold color contrasts create a dreamlike atmosphere that pulls you into Dracula's cursed world. The pacing is masterful, slowly building tension while allowing the characters to breathe and evolve. And the music? A hypnotic blend of classical and modern that adds a visceral pulse to every scene.

The performances are outstanding. The lead actor's portrayal of Dracula is both terrifying and tragic, capturing the eternal conflict between monstrous hunger and lost humanity. The supporting cast adds layers of depth, especially the heroine, whose chemistry with Dracula gives the film a beating heart.

What sets this Dracula apart is its ambition. Besson doesn't just retell the story-he reimagines it, fusing romance, philosophy, and horror into a mythic, poetic experience. There are echoes of The Fifth Element in its stylization, but this is darker, more mature, and grounded in emotional truth.

This is a Dracula for the 21st century-mysterious, seductive, and deeply cinematic. Highly recommended for fans of intelligent horror and visionary filmmaking.

Verdict: A modern gothic masterpiece.

This film is one of the worst adaptations of Bram Stoker's novel to ever see the light of day (pun intended). The dialogues are a terrible combination of failed attempts at being profound about subjects like religion and love, and lots of stupid jokes and situations. The characters are just poorly written, they feel superficial and it's hard to empathize with any of them. The film is outright disrespectful of Stoker's work and of vampire folklore in general. It feels more like a caricature or a mockery of Coppola's version than an honest take on Stoker's book. There's even a dancing montage and CGI gargoyles reminiscent of Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The ambiance is just confusing, trying to be serious at times, but then cutting the tension with a stupid joke or goofy action. This confusion is clearly noticeable in Christoph Waltz's performance, who doesn't seem to be sure what to do and falls back at reenacting Dr. King Shultz. The protagonist has some decent moments, but spends half the time crying and mumbling like a mental patient, and half acting like a Parisian pimp. Nothing even remotely close to give presence and substance needed for such a heavy character. Don't waste your money on the theatre, wait until it comes out on a streaming platform, probably very soon, considering the quality.