The following are vampire TV shows that I have watched as well as a short review and plot of them.
Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire
- Subgenre: Gothic Horror
- Year: 2022
- Seasons: 2
- Still running: Yes
- Network: AMC
- Rating: 5/5
Plot:
Heavily based on the books by Anne Rice. There are a few changes. The interview takes place in 2022 where Louis(Jacob Anderson) is being interviewed for the second time by Daniel Malloy(Eric Bogosian). Louis du Pointe du Lac is no longer a 18th century plantation owner, but rather a 19th affluent black man. Lestat de Lioncourt(Sam Reid) is rather the same. They also aged up Claudia(Bailey Bass in season 1, Delainey Hayles in season 2).
Review:
This TV show is honestly a masterpiece. While the plot isn’t exactly faithful to the book, the show captures the character personalities of the characters amazingly well. It’s dramatic, beautiful, well written, with amazing actors. Sam Reid artificially captures Lestat and I am excited for his performance in season 3 where they will focus on the plot of The Vampire Lestat. This is way more enjoyable than the movie. I definitely recommend this show.
Castlevania
- Subgenre: Dark fantasy
- Year: 2017
- Seasons: 4
- Still running: No
- Network: Netflix
- Rating: 5/5
Plot:
Based of the videogame series of the same name, Castlevania follows Wallachia in the 15th century. Vlad Dracula Tepes falls in love with a human scientist, Lisa. The Church charges Lisa with witchcraft and burns her to the stake. Dracula vows to wage war on Wallachia if they do not fix their ways. Of course, they do not fix it. Trevor Belmont is one of the last of the Belmont clan, a family who specializes in fighting the supernatural. Sypha Belnades is a Speaker, a cultural group of people who keep a huge knowledge of stories via spoken word, and who also dabble in magic. Alucard is the Dhampir son of Dracula and Lisa, who does not agree with his dad’s war on humanity. Together, Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard fight the demonic forces of Dracula and try to save Wallachia.
Review:
A truly great TV show. I am told it is one of the best videogame to TV/movie adaptations out there. It is interesting and a new(although old videogame series) take on the vampire genre. I enjoyed the characters, plot, setting, and animation. I have no qualms with this series.
Castlevania Nocturne
- Subgenre: Dark fantasy
- Year: 2023
- Seasons: 2
- Still running: Yes
- Network: Netflix
- Rating: 4/5
Plot:
The “Vampire Messiah” wants to rule the world and make eternal night for vampires. Set in 18th century France, Richter Belmont(descendant of Sypha and Trevor), fights with his adoptive sister, a former slave from the Caribbean, and Alucard.
Review:
Although this series is not as good as its predicesor, it is still very enjoyable. It goes into vampire mythology which feel Anne Rice esque. My favorite character is Orlox, a morally grey vampire from the Aztec empire.
The Vampire Diaries
- Subgenre: Drama
- Year: 2009
- Seasons: 8
- Still running: No
- Network: CW
- Rating: 3.5/5
Plot:
The Salvatore brother have been vampires since the Civil War. They return to their hometown in modern age and find Elena Gilbert, a teenage girl who look exactly like their first love. Intrigued by her, the two stay in town. Stefan, the youngest brother and “good guy,” falls in love with Elena and the two start a relationship. Damon, the oldest and “bad boy,” hangs around mostly to sabotage his brother and engage in self gaining mischief.
Sooner or later, Elena has to find out the brothers’ secret, as well as the other supernatural occurrences in the town. In later seasons, the main focus of the show is the love triangle between Elena and the Salvatores.
Review:
This show is bad, but engaging, dramatic, and enjoyable. I love making fun of the show, it is bad in an endearing way. Like all long running shows, the show’s quality drops off in later seasons. The main cast has to deal with a plethora of supernatural creatures, ranging from werewolf-vampire hybrids to sirens to doppelgangers. The first half or so its worth the watch if you like dark romances and drama, the second half is okayish.
Dracula
- Subgenre: Gothic Horror
- Year: 2020
- Seasons: 1
- Still running: No
- Network: BBC
- Rating: 4/5
Plot:
Based off of the book, this series mostly follows the classic Dracula plot, with a few changes. Van Helsing is now a nun, Sister Agatha Van Helsing, who is interested in the supernatural. After the journey on the Demeter, Dracula wakes up in London, just in the modern age.
Review:
I thought that this adaptation of Dracula was interesting. I did like the relationship and banter between Dracula and Sister Agatha. Dracula in the modern age was a good idea. What can modern science get out of him? How would he take advantage of modern technology? Does he have rights? It was not the best and most amazing, but I very much enjoyed it.
Midnight Mass
- Subgenre: Gothic Horror
- Year: 2021
- Seasons: 1
- Still running: No
- Network: Netflix
- Rating: 4/5
Plot: *a little spoliery
A priest returns to a small island after visiting the holy land and being blessed by what he thinks is an angel. He prepares his town to accept the gift from this angel and expand into the mainland. It also follows a man who killed a woman in a drunk driving accident and returns to his home town after imprisonment.
Review:
The premise of this show was very unique, I enjoyed the idea and execution. It has many interesting characters and striking visuals. It seems that the writer was working out his own religious turmoil, but I think that it was cool. Not the best show by Mike Flanagan(Haunting of Hill House creator), but it was still great.
