Dracula Film Analysis – Luc Besson’s Passionate Reinterpretation of the Classic Horror Story is Ridiculous but Watchable
Maybe interest is limited for an updated adaptation of Dracula from Luc Besson, the French maestro for stylish excess. However, one must admit: his lavishly upholstered love story with vampires displays creativity and style – and with its B-movie charm, it could be preferable over Robert Eggers’s recent, solemnly classy version of Nosferatu. A few strange elements appear, such as a scene that appears to show a territorial boundary between France and Romania.
Waltz as a Humorously Exhausted Vampire-Hunting Priest
Christoph Waltz portrays a witty yet careworn vampire-hunting priest – I can’t believe he hasn’t played such a part earlier – who ends up in Paris in 1889 for the French Revolution centenary celebrations. Likewise present is the evil Count Dracula, brought to life by the seasoned horror actor Caleb Landry Jones with a mangled central European accent reminiscent of Carell’s Gru character from the Despicable Me comedies. This character he seemed destined to play.
The Plot: A Chronicle of Longing
The story is this: Dracula has been restlessly roaming the earth in sorrow for hundreds of years since he became undead, a consequence for his faithless sorrow following the loss of his wife, Elisabeta (an inaugural screen appearance for Zoë Bleu, daughter of Rosanna Arquette). The count has looked tirelessly for a lady who might be the return of his deceased partner. By cruel fate, the fortunate female turns out to be Mina (portrayed once more by Bleu), the reserved future wife of Dracula’s wimpish land agent, Jonathan Harker (played by Ewens Abid), who just traveled to the vampire’s estate to review his real estate holdings and the tiny painting of the winsome Mina drew the vampire’s attention.
The Filmmaker’s Approach and Lighthearted Touch
Besson arranges Dracula’s middle-section history of international journeys in various outrageous costumes confidently, and he doesn’t shy away from offering funny bits with a distinctly Mel Brooks flavour – for example Dracula’s ongoing failed efforts to end his own life post-Elisabeta’s demise, along with farcical scenes that result after Dracula douses himself with a specific fragrance during the 1700s in Florence, which causes him to be compelling to the opposite sex. Ridiculous and watchable.
Dracula is available digitally beginning on the first of December and on DVD and Blu-ray from 22 December. It will be shown in Australian cinemas starting February 5, 2026.
