Dracula Movie Critique – Besson’s Love-Struck Reimagining of the Classic Horror Story is Absurd but Entertaining

Perhaps there is no great enthusiasm for a fresh take of Dracula from Luc Besson, the French maestro for polished extravagance. Still, one must admit: his opulently crafted love story with vampires displays creativity and style – and with its B-movie charm, it could be preferable compared with Eggers’s dignified recent take of Nosferatu. Odd details emerge, like a particular moment that looks like it presents a geographic divide between France and Romania.

Waltz as a Humorously Exhausted Vampire-Hunting Priest

Christoph Waltz plays a witty yet careworn cleric fighting vampires – it’s surprising he never took on this role before – who ends up in Paris in 1889 during the centennial of the French Revolution. So does the malevolent vampire count, enacted by the body-horror veteran Caleb Landry Jones with a mangled central European accent reminiscent of Carell’s Gru character from the Despicable Me comedies. This is a part he seemed destined to play.

The Plot: A Chronicle of Longing

Here’s the premise: Dracula has wandered endlessly the globe in sorrow for 400 years since he became undead, a punishment for his irreligious grief following the loss of his beloved Elisabeta (an inaugural screen appearance for Zoë Bleu, the offspring of Rosanna Arquette). The count has looked tirelessly for a female who might be the return of his lost love. Unfortunately, the chosen woman proves to be Mina (again played by Bleu), the modest betrothed of Dracula’s wimpish land agent, Jonathan Harker (Ewens Abid), who just traveled to the vampire’s estate to negotiate his property portfolio and the small picture of the winsome Mina attracted Dracula’s gaze.

The Filmmaker’s Approach and Lighthearted Touch

Besson organizes Dracula’s second-act backstory of global roaming sporting extravagant attire skillfully, and he is not above giving us funny bits in the style of Mel Brooks – like the vampire’s constant unsuccessful tries to commit suicide after Elisabeta’s death, along with absurd moments that result after Dracula sprays himself using a particular scent in historic Florence, which makes him irresistible to women. Absurd yet engaging.

Dracula can be streamed online starting December 1st and on DVD and Blu-ray from 22 December. It will be shown in Australian cinemas from 5 February 2026.