Dracula Movie Critique – Besson’s Romantic Revamp of the Classic Horror Story is Outlandish but Entertaining

Maybe audiences aren’t clamoring for a fresh take of Dracula from Luc Besson, the celebrated French director for stylish excess. And yet, it has to be said: his richly designed vampire romance boasts bold vision and flair – and with its B-movie charm, I might just favor over Eggers’s dignified recent take of Nosferatu. Odd details emerge, such as a scene that looks like it presents a geographic divide between France and Romania.

Christoph Waltz as a Witty Yet Careworn Clergyman Hunting Vampires

Christoph Waltz portrays a witty yet careworn cleric fighting vampires – I can’t believe he hasn’t played such a part earlier – who arrives in Paris in 1889 during the centennial of the French Revolution. Likewise present is the malevolent vampire count, played by the expert in grotesque roles Caleb Landry Jones speaking in a twisted regional dialect similar to Steve Carell’s Gru of the Despicable Me series. This is a part suits him perfectly.

The Story: A Tale of Love and Loss

The story is this: Dracula has been restlessly roaming the earth in sorrow for 400 years since he became undead, a punishment for his faithless sorrow after the passing of his wife, Elisabeta (a movie debut role for Zoë Bleu, the offspring of Rosanna Arquette). Dracula has sought relentlessly for a lady who would be the return of his lost love. Unfortunately, the fortunate female turns out to be Mina (again played by Bleu), the reserved future wife of Dracula’s wimpish land agent, Jonathan Harker (played by Ewens Abid), who has recently been to the vampire’s estate to negotiate his land assets and the tiny painting of the charming Mina attracted Dracula’s gaze.

Besson’s Handling and Lighthearted Touch

Besson arranges Dracula’s second-act backstory of global roaming sporting extravagant attire with a sure hand, and he willingly includes providing some comedy moments in the style of Mel Brooks – for example the count’s repeated and futile attempts to end his own life after Elisabeta’s death, in addition to absurd moments that follow Dracula sprays himself in a certain perfume during the 1700s in Florence, which makes him compelling to the opposite sex. Ridiculous and watchable.

Dracula is on digital platforms starting December 1st and for physical purchase starting the twenty-second of December. It plays in Australian cinemas starting February 5, 2026.