Nosferatu is undoubtedly my most-anticipated horror movie of the year. While The Lighthouse left me floating aimlessly in a dark sea, I’ve been supremely impressed with Robert Eggers’ filmography thus far (yes, including The Northman). More importantly, I simply love a good vampire story. This year’s long-delayed Salem’s Lot didn’t impress me much, and post-2010s Twilight fever, the vampire horror subgenre, has been waning.
There are a few standout examples here and there, including two Netflix originals, Blood Red Sky (intense) and Vampires vs. The Bronx (cute), though fanged bloodsuckers aren’t nearly as popular as they used to be. Luckily, there’s a hidden gem streaming free on Netflix you likely haven’t heard of, and it even comes with a blood-soaked recommendation from the master of horror himself, Stephen King. Learn more about Dracula below:
Per Netflix: The Count Dracula legend transforms with new tales that flesh out the vampire’s gory crimes – and bring his vulnerability into the light.
Dracula: Untold, Universal’s first attempt at launching a Dark Universe, is also streaming, as is the early-aughts Hugh Jackman gem, Van Helsing. For the hardest-hitting iteration of the now-classic tale, however, miniseries Dracula is the best. Hitting all the most famous beats, including Jonathan Harker’s first encounter with the titular beast, his trip on the Demeter, and his arrival in London (123 years in the future), Dracula is a fresh interpretation of a well-known tale. Jonny Campbell, Damon Thomas, and Paul McGuigan all helm one of the miniseries’ three episodes, bringing a fresh, invigorating perspective to the story.
In 2020 when the BBC One series first arrived on Netflix, Stephen King shared his thoughts on the series. He wrote, “The BBC incarnation of Dracula (Netflix) is smart, involving, and bloody terrific. Which is to say it’s terrific and VERY bloody.” You can check out his tweet in full below:
The BBC incarnation of DRACULA (Netflix) is smart, involving, and bloody terrific. Which is to say it’s terrific and VERY bloody.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) January 9, 2020
It was King’s recommendation that led to me checking out the series, and I’m thrilled I did. It’s as bloody as he claims, but also distinctly human, more tender than fans of the source material might be expecting. Stoker’s gothic romance is expertly conveyed. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the fresh critical consensus reads, “A delicious blend of horror and humor that more-or-less balances modern sensibilities and the character’s beloved legacy, Dracula is a frighteningly fun – if not always faithful – time.”
I want to know what you think. Were you a fan of Netflix’s Dracula when it was first released? Any plans to check it out now? Let me know over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.
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