Dracula Review – The French Director’s Passionate Revamp of the Classic Horror Story is Ridiculous 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, one must admit: his opulently crafted vampire romance displays creativity and style – and amid its theatrical camp, I’m not sure I wouldn’t prefer compared with Eggers’s dignified recent take of Nosferatu. Odd details emerge, like a particular moment that appears to show a land border between France and Romania.

The Veteran Actor as a Clever but Weary Clergyman Hunting Vampires

Christoph Waltz plays a humorous yet burdened vampire-hunting priest – it’s surprising he never took on such a part earlier – who arrives in Paris in 1889 to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. So does the sinister Dracula, brought to life by the seasoned horror actor Caleb Landry Jones using a distorted Eastern European tone reminiscent of Carell’s Gru character of the Despicable Me series. This character he seemed destined to play.

The Plot: A Saga of Heartbreak

The story is this: the vampire lord has wandered endlessly the world in torment over four centuries since he became undead, a penalty for his irreligious grief following the loss of his wife, Elisabeta (an inaugural screen appearance for Zoë Bleu, daughter of Rosanna Arquette). Dracula has looked tirelessly for a female who might be the return of his lost love. By cruel fate, the lucky lady proves to be Mina (portrayed once more by Bleu), the reserved future wife of the count’s timid estate manager, Jonathan Harker (enacted by Ewens Abid), who has recently been to the vampire’s estate to negotiate his property portfolio and the small picture of the charming Mina attracted Dracula’s gaze.

The Filmmaker’s Approach and Humorous Style

Besson structures Dracula’s second-act backstory of worldwide travels sporting extravagant attire skillfully, and he willingly includes providing humorous scenes with a distinctly Mel Brooks flavour – for example the count’s repeated and futile attempts to end his own life following Elisabeta’s passing, as well as absurd moments that follow Dracula sprays himself in a certain perfume during the 1700s in Florence, which causes him to be compelling to the opposite sex. Absurd yet engaging.

Dracula can be streamed online from 1 December and in disc format from December 22nd. It screens in Australian cinemas starting February 5, 2026.