In movies, vampires are supernatural beings that feed on blood and are often depicted as manipulative. They are typically associated with horror films, but can also appear in other genres such as action, comedy, drama, romance, science fiction, and fantasy.
Origin of vampires
- Vampires originated in folklore, where they represented fears of death, cannibalism, and the unknown.
- They also symbolized deviance from society, whether it was sexual, religious, or cultural. The fixation on blood certainly takes its que from Christianity or visa versa “take my flesh, drink my blood”
- The spread of vampirism was a fear in Slavic communities.
Weaknesses of vampires
- Vampires have many weaknesses, including sunlight, fire, garlic, silver, holy water, running water, and stakes through the heart.
- The sight of a crucifix can also thwart or kill a vampire.
Iconic vampire tropes
- The image of a vampire being killed by a wooden stake is a well-known trope in horror films.
- Vampires are often depicted as manipulative.
Evolution of vampires in pop culture
- Vampires have been sexualized to represent taboo and sinful sexual behavior.
- They have also been used as a metaphor for repressed desires.
Some great movies featuring Vampires from fun romps to serious horror films:
In Nosferatu, estate agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with a prospective client named Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). While away, his new bride Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) is plagued by visions and an increasing sense of dread in anticipation of an encounter with a horrifying force beyond her control. The gothic tale of obsession is directed by Robert Eggers and stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Simon McBurney and Willem Dafoe.
What We Do In The Shadows introduces us the age-old vampire flat mates being filmed by a New Zealand documentary crew. Stuck in their antiquated ways they struggle to adjust to 21st century customs, like paying rent, sharing household chores, and getting expressly invited into nightclubs.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – For Buffy Summers (Kristy Swanson), nothing is the same after she meets Merrick Jamison-Smythe (Donald Sutherland). Merrick tells the teen that he’s been sent to train her to fight vampires, and he proves himself by displaying his supernatural powers. Buffy is a quick study, and soon takes fellow student Oliver Pike (Luke Perry) under her wing, repeatedly saving him from fierce bloodsuckers. But, when a very dangerous vampire (Rutger Hauer) gets rambunctious, she must go to war again.
Interview With The Vampire – In 1790 the evil Lestat, a 200-year old vampire, decides he wants a buddy and chooses Louis. However, despite Louis’ desire for death after his young wife’s demise, Lestat hasn’t banked on Louis being so guilt-ridden when it comes to sucking blood from humans. So, whilst Lestat continues to feast upon human flesh, Louis sticks to rats and chickens. That is, until he meets the young Claudia. Two hundred years later, Louis tells his story to a young reporter.
From Dusk Til Dawn – Outrageous horror-action outing, courtesy of director Robert Rodriguez (“Desperado”) and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino, stars George Clooney and Tarantino as the unbalanced Gecko brothers on a Southwest crime spree, who take a preacher (Harvey Keitel) and his children hostage. Their odyssey becomes a fight for survival when the sleazy Mexican roadside bar they stop in turns out to be a hangout for vampires. With Salma Hayek, Juliette Lewis, Cheech Marin, and Fred Williamson.
Blade – The power of an immortal. The soul of a human. The heart of a hero.
Against an army of immortals, one warrior must draw first blood.
Wesley Snipes plays a half-mortal, half-immortal charged with ridding the earth of a race of vampires led by Stephen Dorff in this action-packed blockbuster.