The Resurgence of the Fanged Monster: Vamps With Bite

If you've been following my blog for a while then you know I am a huge supporter of monsters being monstrous. I understand the allure of a vampire being seductive and charming. I get it. I grew up with Anne Rice and had my fang banger phase. Who doesn't want to be bitten by Lestat right?

But when things like Sparkly Vampires came out the horror community rolled their collective eyeballs and turned away from vampires. Because those were not the vamps we knew. Even Lestat with all his velvet finery was still a monster. Part of his greatness was how he could woo us and then turn on us at a moment's notice. Stephanie Meyer gave us Edward who was a de-fanged creature. We vampire lovers thought our beloved creature of the night was never going to be taken seriously again, and was no longer able to disturb and unsettle us like before.

But thankfully, vampires still have hope. They have had a resurgence, almost in rebellion, against their sparkle counterparts, reminding people that vampires are MONSTERS. I think that Bela's birth was probably the closest thing to horror the Twilight series ever got. And I'm trying to be generous by saying that. It was a pretty terrible childbirth scene...

Well vampire fans, fear not. For I have complied a list of excellent vampire movies that have come out in the last few years that will give you a craving for blood again.  Some of these I am anticipating to be good, from all I've read about them, and I know there are a few more out there being worked on not on this list. It's good to see the fangs mean something with vampires again. Gotta support the monsters we love right?

VAMPS WITH BITE:

Midnight Son

This is an interesting take on the vampire myth. The characters and story are so original that it makes it hard to turn away from the screen. The two main characters are both struggling in different ways with conditions that are tearing them apart, and so they can find love and compassion in each other. One just happens to be a drug addict and the other...

Kiss Of The Damned

This one is a sexy, stylish movie that reminds me a lot of old vampire flicks. The old Dracula films where looks were everything, and the blood ran rich and red. It feels a lot like the 1970's vampire B films, and that is a big step away from sparkle vamps. The vampire's in Kiss of the Damned are not to be trifled with though. While they are beautiful, they are vicious, and hunt like wild dogs. 

Byzantium

If you haven't heard of this gem, you're in for a treat. It's a intense and powerful story of a mother and daughter trying to settle down and live normal lives, but they are being hunted because they are female vampires. In this story, female vampires are forbidden. It is a tragic tale that shows the loneliness of being a vampire and remembering a past you'd like to forget.

Only Lovers Left Alive

One of the favorite vampire films (so far). There is so much going for this film. Excellent plot, great acting, beautiful symbolism and depth. Watching the way all the vampires in this film interact with each other is stunning. This one is a slow build, but worth it as things unravel in their cycles. I would highly recommend it for a more deeper portrayal of vampires, especially with how the main couple interact with each other. They prove that love can stand the test of time.

Movies I Can't Wait To See:

Chimères

This one looks to be an intense look at what happens when you go to Romania and your blood transfusion is full of "strange" blood. I love the premise and from the trailer it looks to be terrifying!

What We Do In The Shadows

This movie looks to be a fun mockumentary about vampires, but I have heard good things about it and am eager to see it. There is nothing sensual about these vamps. This movie will bring a lighter mood to all the vampire films listed here, but it won't de-fang the vampire.