- Let the Right One In (2008)
There is an American version — called Let Me In — of this Swedish film, but if you don’t mind the subtitles the original is definitely the way to go. Let the Right One In follows the story of two troubled children, one human and one vampire. It’s a gruesome, compelling love story that manages to subvert both classic horror and romance clichés to provide something totally unique. The climax of the movie alone is worth the price of admission.
- The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)
FVK is a Mel Brooks-esque comedy directed by Roman Polanski. Starring both Polanski and Sharon Tate, it’s a rather silly but funny take on the classic vampire mythos. Very satirical, but still heaps more subtle in its comedy than about 100 per cent of all other vampire themed comedies.
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Cronos (1993)
One of the earlier films from genre director Guillermo del Toro, Cronos is certainly not your typical vampire movie. Del Torro’s film centres on a mysterious mechanism that gives the gift of eternal life. When antique dealer Jesus Gris gets a hold of this item he finds it invigorates him, making his body feel younger and stronger. At the same time Gris notices not only that he is developing a thirst for blood, but he is also being hunted by an eccentric rich man who wants the device for himself. -
Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
If you’re a fan of vampire cinema then Shadow of the Vampire is a can’t miss. Similar to Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, Shadow proposes an alternate history in which the actor who plays Count Orlok in the 1922 film Nosferatu (the enigmatic Max Schreck) is actually a vampire who the cast and crew of the film must work around in order to finish their project. Willem Dafoe was nominated for Academy Award as best supporting actor for his role as Max Schreck. -
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Okay, so no escaping the fact that this a pretty unlikeable vampire movie; Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Christian Slater and Antonio Bandaras don’t exactly inspire confidence in a “smart” movie. Interview with the Vampire, however, is actually a lot better than it should be. Despite its flaws, the movie contains an engaging, compelling story — one that is certainly a unique take on the vampire story.
