The idea of living to witness every development in human society has found many varied expressions in literature and folklore. The vampire is perhaps the most alluring because it isn’t a wish-fulfillment fantasy and isn’t very enviable. They must puncture a living person’s neck and drink their blood in order to maintain eternal life. There has been more than one peak vampire moment in each century of filmmaking, where the lore needed to be recycled into something new and original before completely sucking. It makes sense. Here are a few of the best vampire movies that aren’t Dracula but yet portray vampirism well.
1. Fright Night (1985)
Director- Tom Holland
Charley Brewster, a die-hard admirer of the television show “Fright Night,” gradually starts to believe that Jerry Dandrige, his enigmatic new neighbour, is a vampire intent on consuming human blood. Charley, who has been ridiculed for his absurd accusations, turns to his all-time favourite hero, Peter Vincent, a recently fired series host and former vampire hunter in a movie, for assistance. However, even Vincent is sceptical of Charley’s claims. The grizzled vampire slayer reluctantly agrees to Charley’s offer just to have the chance to prove him incorrect, but the damned thing’s absence from Vincent’s dependable mirror proves otherwise.
2. Byzantium (2012)
Director- Neil Jordan
In a run-down seaside resort, two mystery women look for safety. In his abandoned hotel, Byzantium, Clara meets the lonely Noel, who offers her sanctuary. Eleanor “Ella” Webb, a little girl, meets Frank and shares their deadly secret with him: they were born 200 years ago and survive on consuming human blood. As word of their identity spreads, their tragic past finally catches up with them.
3. The Lost Boys (1987)
Director- Joel Schumacher
Due to financial difficulties, a recently divorced woman and her teenage boys Mike and Sam must go to Santa Carla, California, to live with her father. Sam initially dismisses rumours about vampires living in the little town with a chuckle. But once Mike encounters a stunning female at the neighbourhood amusement park, he starts to display the typical vampiric traits. Sam enlists two teenage vampire hunters to identify and kill the top vampire in order to save his brother because he fears for his own safety.
4. Ganja & Hess (1973)
Director- Bill Hess
His research assistant stabs Dr. Hess Green, an archaeologist in charge of an excavation at the historic city of Myrthia, and then kills himself. Hess discovers that his wounds have healed upon awakening, but due to the knife’s ancient germs, he now has an insatiable need for blood. Hess then meets Ganja, the wife of his former assistant. Ganja is first worried about her missing husband, but she quickly develops feelings for Hess. Ganja will soon discover the truth about Hess and her husband, despite the fact that they are initially content together.
5. What Do We Do In The Shadows (2014)
Director(s)- Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement
Four nocturnal flatmates, Vladislav, the Lord Byron want tobe; Viago, the frilly dandy; Deacon, the rebellious youth; and Petyr, the ancient blood-sucking devil, invite a documentary team to capture their daily life as they prowl the streets of Wellington, New Zealand. As if adjusting to modern society weren’t challenging enough, the group’s chemistry will be thrown off when the pack transforms Nick, their human prey, into a new vampire.
6. Vampire’s Kiss (1988)
Director- Robert Bierman
White-collar New Yorker Peter appears to live a life focused exclusively on accumulating wealth and having as many relationships with women as he can. After a normal night of looking for action in hip clubs, Peter is able to get the seductive Rachel home. However, as they are in bed, she bites him on the neck. Peter feels confident he is now a vampire the following day. He dons artificial fangs and starts chasing women despite the fact that no one agrees with his viewpoint and that he hasn’t changed physically.
7. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)
Director- Ana Lily Amirpour
Bad City is a large wasteland filled with oil drilling equipment and has the distinct feeling of being almost completely deserted. Here, Arash does his hardest to make a livelihood by working as a gardener for a wealthy family despite being a lonely teenager with a drug-addicted father who frequently owes money to a dealer. He has no idea that a young, lonely vampire, whose name we never learn, lives in the city. She takes on the role of a vigilante, choosing to prey on and kill without compassion whomever she deems to be “bad.” She will eventually understand the possibilities that love brings and the fact that there is still a sliver of hope even in Bad City when she runs into Arash one night. One of the best vampire movie in recent times.
8. Interview With The Vampire (1994)
Director- Neil Jordan
Prior to meeting Lestat De Lioncourt in 1791, plantation owner Louis De Pointe Du Lac was dissatisfied with his existence. Louis is given the option to choose between eternal life as a vampire and death by the vampire Lestat. Louis doesn’t understand who he has become until after his choice has already been made. Being the cunning creature that he is, Lestat cleverly transforms a little orphan girl into a vampire to persuade Louis to stay when he refuses to take human life and is about to leave. Louis told a reporter the tale in 1991 about the 200-year journey that he, Lestat, and Claudia took through hardship, death, a curse, and love.
9. Nadja (1994)
Director- Michael Almereyda
Vampire Nadja begins a vendetta against Dr. Van Helsing after her father, Dracula, is murdered. Lucy, the daughter of Van Helsing, is the target of Nadja’s first attempt at retaliation. To combat the vampires, Van Helsing has also enlisted the help of Lucy’s identical twin, his son, and other children. Nadja demonstrates that she won’t be easily beaten despite the family’s plot against her.
10. Nosferatu (1922)
Director- F.W. Murnau
Thomas Hutter is invited to the distant Transylvanian castle in the mountains by the enigmatic Count Orlok. The sinister Orlok is looking to purchase a home close to Hutter and his wife, Ellen. Knowing that Ellen is in great danger after Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to leave the castle. In the meantime, Orlok’s servant Knock gets ready for his master to show up at his new residence.
