Regarding the vampire culture, it should be regarded as part of the European legend. But unlike the ancient Chinese myths, he is a solid image formed in people’s hearts after experiencing the precipitation of history.
The history of vampires was formed in a hundred or two hundred years at best, and it was only in film and television dramas that there was a complete concrete description.
So the matter of what a vampire looks like is constantly updated and changed with the broadcasting of every film and television series.
In this film list, I will show you alluring space vampires, go astray vampire admirers, and anxious, cloaked romantics.
You will also see immortal feminist idols, vampires that gain power through bizarre biomechanical devices, beasts dehumanized, monsters that are completely irredeemable, movie idols that pave the way for many inferior imitators, and more.
The following can be regarded as the 6 most worth watching vampire movies of all time.
“Nosferatu”
Rotten Tomatoes Freshness 97%
“Nosferatu” is considered one of the iconic films of German expressionism.
The iconic shot of Orlok climbing the stairs of the target victim is one of the most recognizable images in the entire movement.
However, the whole movie is full of eye-catching scenes, especially the shot of Orlok coming out of the coffin and standing upright. This highlight is still chilling even now.
As one of the most influential masterpieces of the silent era, Nosferatu’s grotesque Gothic feel-and Max Schreck’s chilling performance as a vampire set the template for subsequent horror films.
“Horror of Dracula”
90% freshness of rotten tomatoes
Thirty years ago, Bela Lugosi created the main vampire for Universal Studios and gave him a unique European elegance, while Christopher Lee’s Dracula brought seductive sexiness to the role.
This is a Dracula you won’t oppose being bitten, an immortal who can wander effortlessly between the elegant gentleman and the savage beast like a bat.
This Dracula is seductive and mysterious. In Li, it is a dominant existence.
However, the genius of this adaptation lies in Van Helsing’s casting.
When there are powerful actors like Christopher Lee on the screen, only actors like Peter Cushing can match them.
“Martin”
90% freshness of rotten tomatoes
“Martin” tells the story of Martin Matthias, a young and troubled man who believes he is a vampire.
Martin cuts the forearm of a calm woman on a sleeper train and drinks her blood, which is a powerful and unforgettable introduction to the character.
George A. Romero deliberately blurred Martin’s true nature and let the audience decide whether he is a vampire.
Martin has hallucinations of torch-wielding thugs and various vampire metaphors, but it is still unclear whether they are just illusions or his true memories.
The film is full of religious allegories, forcing the audience to question whether these fantasies are Martin’s fault or the fault of those around him.
Either way, this is a powerful movie that ends with a bleak and deliberately ambiguous ending.
Due to its thought-provoking nature and steady rhythm, it is often regarded as part of Romero’s outstanding works, and it is his most powerful in narrative and visual aspects.
“Near Dark”
Rotten Tomatoes Freshness 81%
Historically, movies have always had a certain awe of vampires, looking at painful souls cursed walking in the shadows from a romantic perspective, cursed by the sun forever.
“Near Dark” is partly a road movie, partly a western movie, and partly a horror movie.
The group is led by 150-year-old Jesse Hooker and is a force of nature.
Vampires love their gifted immortality and the power they give them, and are immune to familiar decorations such as garlic and crosses.
Only the sun can pose a threat to them; in this western film, the sun is like a cavalry, dominating the sun-drenched scenery.
“Cronos”
Rotten Tomatoes Freshness 89%
In this story about resurrection and redemption, the protagonist is an antique dealer. He stumbled upon a mechanical device in the shape of a scarab with a thousand years of history hidden in it-a sculpture of Cronos.
This device was locked on Jesus Gris and embedded himself in his body with a barb. The old man regained his vitality and gained endless life.
However, this was accompanied by an extreme desire for blood.
Although this is his first full movie, “Cronos” shows that Guillermo del Toro is a genius worth seeing.
This is a wonderful subversion of the vampire metaphor, in which case immortality is transmitted through biomechanical means.
As Jesus Gris became more and more vampire, he became less human in mind and appearance.
This is an elegant work, and early examples embody Guillermo del Toro’s unique style, powerful performance and thought-provoking conclusions.
“Lifeforce”
Rotten Tomatoes Freshness 57%
“Lifeforce” is adapted from Colin Wilson’s novel “The Space Vampires”. This film is unforgettable for several reasons:
Henry Mancini’s exciting orchestral soundtrack is excellent, and it feels like it belongs to a huge science fiction epic film, and some of the full-scale animatronics works are really excellent.
However, the most memorable thing most people in the film is Mathilda May as the heroine of the space vampire, she appears naked most of the time.
You may ask, why is this film listed in this list with such a low rating?
The stills are here. If you want to find out, you can go to the original film to take a look. There will be unexpected surprises.
