Dracula Review – Luc Besson’s Love-Struck Revamp of the Timeless Gothic Tale is Absurd but Watchable

Perhaps audiences aren’t clamoring for a fresh take of Dracula from Luc Besson, the filmmaker known for stylish excess. And yet, one must admit: his opulently crafted love story with vampires boasts bold vision and flair – and in all its Hammer-y cheesiness, it could be preferable compared with the recent, stately interpretation by Robert Eggers of Nosferatu. Odd details emerge, including one shot that seems to depict a territorial boundary between France and Romania.

Christoph Waltz as a Humorously Exhausted Clergyman Hunting Vampires

Christoph Waltz plays a humorous yet burdened vampire-hunting priest – I can’t believe he hasn’t played this role before – who finds himself in Paris in 1889 during the centennial of the French Revolution. Likewise present is the evil Count Dracula, brought to life by the body-horror veteran Caleb Landry Jones with a mangled central European accent evoking Carell’s Gru character in the Despicable Me films. This character he seemed destined to play.

The Story: A Tale of Love and Loss

Here’s the premise: Dracula has wandered endlessly the world in torment for 400 years since he became undead, a punishment for his faithless sorrow following the loss of his spouse Elisabeta (a movie debut role for Zoë Bleu, the offspring of Rosanna Arquette). the vampire has sought relentlessly for a lady who could be the rebirth of his departed beloved. Unfortunately, the fortunate female proves to be Mina (also Bleu, of course), the demure fiancee of Dracula’s wimpish land agent, Jonathan Harker (played by Ewens Abid), who just traveled to the vampire’s estate to discuss his property portfolio and the small picture of the lovely Mina attracted Dracula’s gaze.

Besson’s Handling and Lighthearted Touch

Besson organizes Dracula’s second-act backstory of global roaming in various outrageous costumes confidently, and he willingly includes giving us humorous scenes reminiscent of Mel Brooks – for example the vampire’s constant unsuccessful tries to kill himself after Elisabeta’s death, in addition to comical sequences that follow Dracula applies to himself using a particular scent in historic Florence, which makes him compelling to the opposite sex. Outlandish but entertaining.

Dracula can be streamed online from 1 December and in disc format starting the twenty-second of December. It will be shown in Australian cinemas starting February 5, 2026.