Drained

I really enjoyed this modern take on the vampire genre. None of the stodgy-old-Count- Dracula-in-a-far-off-castle tropes. The "young" vampiress is just trying to keep going - yep needs blood - finds her victims in a nightclub - they get hooked on her, all set against a London landscape. The actor who played Thomas was phenomenal - his torture was well handled in his soulful, suffering eyes. Gritty, romantic, fab acting, humor, that fabulous indy film vibe. How can you go wrong. A MUST WATCH. Only downsides: wish the mom had more story, and a tad more subtlety with the copious bloodsucking sequences (a bit "overkill" :-) )

This story line is more than just blood sucking vampires. When the one you love drains the life out of you how far will you go before you drain the life out of the person you love. What will you do when you have nothing left to give.

What will you do for love.

Filmed in and around London, great to see some iconic locations.

This film is moving and relatable. With the micro budget, the music used in the film really adds to the thrill. Love the choice of artists used in the film.

Great cast, great story line. Drags a little towards the end. There is space for a sequel l. Let's hope there's more to come.

Perfect concept of a drained relationship. Loved this film...

I really enjoyed watching Drained. A lot of suspense throughout the film with a touch of comedy and this film is relatable for some people in dark relationships, in troubled homelife situations and just for those trying to find their way.

This film also shows how much someone can go through and even loose their own selfworth, friendships, fall out with family and become uncertain of who you are anymore - just for love... It is a dark film, but really worth the watch. Congrats to all the cast and crew.

I highly recommend this film - especially if you are a fan of thrillers and vampire films.

Surprisingly good film. Quite edgy, gritty and well produced considering the budget. Really enjoyed it as it wasn't your typical vampire film. Good acting throughout and some great filming. I liked this and can see this having a good cult following. The storyline was well executed and some good moments as well, that made you smile.

Location filming was good throughout. I felt like this film had you wanting more and more, which delivered as it went on. You do find yourself second guessing where it was going to go ,which I liked as there is nothing worse than knowing the ending while you watch it. Yes definitely a good watch.

While not a fan of the genre ,this Vampire film was different, in that there was a gritty 21st century suburban realism brought to the genre. Parallels with addiction and mental health issues are very prevalent in this film which is shot in the sickly half light of an addict looking to score, it is as if Trainspotting had met the Vampire movie and had a kid which was raised by Ken Loach and this movie is the result. Not many vampire movies show the vulnerability of their protagonists or show them pissing or struggling with the electricity bill. Ruaridh Aldington gives a very nuanced believable portrayal of Thomas, the struggling 20 something graphic artist wannabe living with his Mum who is wonderfully brought to life by Angela Dixon. Madeline's Bellariu Ion portrays the reluctant Romanian predator trapped by her own condition, again more allegory, in a very sexy but scary way and Craig Conway's John brings relieves the tension with down to earth comedic skills as the sarcastic Northern boyfriend of Thomas's mother. When he says "welcome to the horror show" referring to the unaffordabilty of modern life in London we all get that. Kenton Lloyd Morgan adds to the grimy realism with his portrayal of homeless man on the streets. Peter Stylianou has written and edited a film about 21st Century London where the protagonists just happen to be Vampires. Sean Cronin and he have crafted a vampire movie for grown ups with a nod to the pitfalls of youth and the clubbing world in an urban environment. Daniel Patrick Vaughan's chiaroscuro lighting gives the ambience of what it should feel like to be a vampire in contrast to the bright colours of Hammer and Amicus productions of the 60's and 70's . Stylianou's script revises the vampire myth to the point of pisstake where Rhea, Bellariu Ion's character screams when the sun shines on her, and then bursts out laughing to let us realise that what we have believed about Vampires all this time, that they die if exposed to sunlight, is a myth, perhaps referencing the myths we believe about Eastern Europeans or indeed all foreigners . Then he has her saying that her and her husband moved to London because of the cloud. While making all these socially relevant points the Cronin and Stylianou never drop the pace of the film or the suspense or horror. It is after all a Vampire film, but one with a new more realistic bite.