Interview with the Vampire

I'm a big fan of Anne Rice. I have read her books and seen the film of Interview with the Vampire which I loved. I hoped this would be good and it went far beyond that. It's exceptional. It's the expensive vintage wine amongst all the lesser ones. The acting is superb from all of the cast. It's a tragic love story amongst all the blood. It's about pain, love, loss and mistakes. The three leads are just outstanding. Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid and Assad Zaman. Such emotionally packed scenes. They all deserve Oscar's. Eric Bogosion is great as Daniel. Also Ben Daniel is wonderful as Santiago. The sets and scenery are stunning. I haven't watched anything with such love and passion in a long time. I'm really looking forward to a season 3.

I actually enjoyed Interview with the Vampire even more than I thought I would. I liked the movie so I thought this would be a little bit of a disappointment but it wasn't. Far from it. This one actually takes place in our current year. Vampire Louie de Pointe du Lac is currently living in Dubai and is telling his life story to a journalist. The story starts in New Orleans in the 20th century and shows how he met the vampire Lestat du Lioncourt and how they started their family with the two of them and teen vampire Claudia. It's much like the movie where the story follows Louie telling his side of the story to the journalist. It's also different in many ways to the movie, not bad just different. I've actually come to like it even more than the movie.

This show captivated me from start to finish! Although I hadn't read the book and only vaguely remembered the movie, the show's bold portrayal of love and passion left an indelible mark. The unabashed depiction of the relationship between Lestat and Louis might have deterred some viewers because of the homosexual theme, but I found it to be a beautiful and authentic portrayal of deep connection.

Sam Reid's performance as Lestat is nothing short of mesmerizing! His every mannerism, expression, and especially his voice, embody the essence of a vampire so convincingly that it feels almost real. Jacob Anderson's portrayal of Louis is equally remarkable, showcasing a depth and range that took me by surprise, especially knowing him from his stoic role as Grey Worm in Game of Thrones. The chemistry between Reid and Anderson is palpable, creating a dynamic that is both intense and moving.

Despite some people's reluctance to embrace the show's themes, they TRULY miss out on a TRULY exceptional series. The emotional resonance and impeccable performances made me smile and applaud by the end! Interview with the Vampire is a masterful blend of storytelling and acting prowess, with Sam Reid as the shining star who brings the entire show to life.

I've been surprised by the number of reviewers have lamented that this is not Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, even crying out "Not one word written by Anne Rice!"

Actually, she and her son Christopher were heavily involved and were executive producers. And Anne herself wrote three of the episodes. She was proud of this work and happy for the reinvention of it.

It is possible to enjoy this even if you, as I did, read every book as they were written, awaiting each new volume and running to the bookstore as soon as they were released.

Is this different? Yes. And I'm glad for it. It's a way to enjoy the universe she created all over again without having to worry about some pristine, exact re-enactment. I can relax into it, seeing where it goes without expectation.

And it's a far cry better than the Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise debacle. I still shudder over that abomination.

It's excellently acted, the sets are magical, and the whole thing is quite enjoyable.

Lestat is everything! His actor is superb, his Lestat carries such an allure and he's magnetic when he's on screen, just like a real vampire. He said it's always been his dream role and you can tell with how much effort he puts into the character. The entire cast is noteworthy but the standout for me is Lestat.

I had somehow never heard of Anne Rice or Interview with the Vampire (wish I did because I would've loved the books as a kid) but this was such a fantastic introduction. I will definitely be reading The Vampire Lestat while I giddily wait for season 3.

You can tell everyone involved is so passionate about this show and the show-runner has a strong vision and knows exactly what he wants. I hope they continue making fantastic TV!