The sheer versatility of vampires will always make them appealing to storytellers. These creatures of the night can be everything from counts to cowboys, and they can show up practically anywhere. Be it a far-flung castle in olden times, or a modern apartment complex, bloodsuckers go wherever they please. Simply put: there is no stopping what the vampire can do or be in a movie.
Now, if no two vampires are ever alike, it only makes sense that their movies be so different from each other. And although plenty of titles have broken through and become well recognized by the public at large, others remain in the dark.
This list showcases just ten overlooked vampire movies that are worth sinking your teeth into after watching Ryan Prows’ Night Patrol.
The Blood Drinkers (1964)
If you’re looking for pure vibes in your vampire movie, then this Filipino classic, The Blood Drinkers (or Kulay Dugo ang Gabi), is for you. Admittedly, Gerardo de Leon‘s take on vampirism isn’t too out-there or different from what was available at the time, at least in the West; but what makes The Blood Drinkers so enticing is its unusual color choices. Because color film wasn’t always available, this movie occasionally switches to saturated reds and blues. That compromise benefits the production as a whole, boosting the pulpy aesthetic and enhancing the story.
Thirst (1979)
This stopover in one’s journey into overlooked vampire cinema definitely leaves a strange taste in the mouth. Henry Silva starred in this Australian oddball about a cult whose members achieve their peak prowess by consuming human blood. So, naturally, they abduct the descendant of fabled vampire royalty, Elizabeth Báthory, and hold her (Chantal Contouri) captive on their blood farm. The ideas here are more interesting than they are perfectly executed, but Rod Hardy’s Thirst is still quite hard to turn down, especially if you love Ozploitation.
I, Desire (1982)
From the small screen comes I, Desire, a telefilm directed by John Llewellyn Moxey (Home for the Holidays, The Night Stalker). This TV-flick is still in dire need of a proper restoration, but for those who have seen it, they can attest to its charms. For what it lacks in blood it makes up for in character and thematic sinew. The cast is also nothing to scoff at; David Naughton and Brad Dourif lead this television gem.
Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989)
A good starter idea for any potential vampire movie: their showing up in the least likely of places. A hot, sunny desert seems too inhospitable for any traditional sort of bloodsucker, but to be fair, Anthony Hickox’s Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat isn’t all that traditional. Bruce Campbell, David Carradine, Maxwell Caulfield, Deborah Foreman, Dana Ashbrook and M. Emmet Walsh stack the cast of this western and horror comedy. If you’re a fan of Waxwork, also directed by Hickox, then you’re certainly going to want to seek out this fun movie.
Children of the Night (1991)
Horror fans know Tony Randel’s work well enough; he’s directed Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, Amityville 1992: It’s About Time, and Ticks. Yet one of his movies still goes unnoticed, despite its occasional appearance on streaming services. The out-of-print DVD goes for a pretty penny as well. That movie is Children of the Night. Although it’s got nothing on Fright Night, this small-town battle against vampires boasts not only decent makeup effects (courtesy of Robert Kurtzman and Greg Nicotero), but it also starred the horror icon, Karen Black.
Shiver (2008)
On the same wavelength as older and tragic monster films, Isidro Ortiz’s Shiver (or Eskalofrío) is more somber than scary. This Spanish story finds a teenager (Junio Valverde) moving to a remote mountain village with his mother, on account of his unique condition. The boy being allergic to the sun doesn’t sit well with the already xenophobic locals. Oh, and vampires aren’t the only supernatural creature to be reimagined here; the werewolf is also retooled.
Vampires (2010)
Before What We Do In the Shadows left a sizable bite in the subgenre of vampire comedy, Belgian director Vincent Lannoo handed in his own darkly humorous two cents on blood fiends living in contemporary society. Presented as a mockumentary, Vampires doesn’t ever feel too inclined to pull off first-person scares and thrills, but the often messy and complicated interpersonal relationships here may elicit a different kind of dread. That said, the movie is also not opposed to blood and violence.
Vampire (2011)
Shunji Iwai’s Vampire doesn’t exactly win points for creative titling, but this contemplative, arthouse horror-drama excels in other ways. An unassuming teacher (Kevin Zegers) leads a second life in between classes and taking care of his sick mother: he feeds on the blood of suicidal women. Truth be told, the protagonist isn’t a conventional vampire; he’s a mortal who hasn’t quite taken to his sanguinary cravings, despite his belief he is a vampire. Nonetheless, this gruesome secret takes a toll on him and his personal life, and it even attracts the attention of another vampire (Trevor Morgan).
Rufus (2012)
Using vampires to better understand humanity is nothing new, but Dave Schultz’s Rufus approaches that concept a lot better than first anticipated. What looks to be another Twilight imitator is really an engaging study of loss as well as that universal desire to find somewhere to belong. Rory J. Saper is that mysterious, lost soul who’s taken in by a still-grieving family, then has the most bloody coming-of-age experience. In the end, this movie has the surprising ability to warm the heart—that is, once the carnage has passed.
Boys from County Hell (2020)
The story of Abhartach, the supposed basis for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, comes to life in Chris Baugh’s Boys from County Hell. This Irish movie, which is adapted from the director’s own short, injects a good deal of local color. And although the mash of humor and horror loses some balance, especially once the bloodsucking monster shows up in the flesh, the overall delivery feels fairly fresh.
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