'Dracula' [REVIEW]: Love, Loss, and Bloodlust: Why Luc Besson’s Rendition Feels Timeless, Not Tired

By: Klep Napier | Wearecritix.com

When it comes to horror, it’s always worth revisiting the classics, especially when a filmmaker finds a way to make them feel alive again. Dracula is one of those reinterpretations that understands the assignment. We all know the name. We all know the legend. But this version of Dracula is told with a tenderness and romantic weight that separates it from the pack.

Before diving into my thoughts, let’s set the table. The film is directed by Luc Besson, a filmmaker whose résumé already tells you he knows how to blend style with substance (Léon: The Professional, The Fifth Element, Lucy). That visual confidence and narrative control are felt throughout Dracula, especially in how the story reframes familiar beats through a more emotional lens.

This take stars Caleb Landry Jones as Dracula, with Christoph Waltz and Zoë Bleu rounding out the core cast. While you’ll recognize thematic echoes of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and even the recent Nosferatu, Besson’s focus is crystal clear: this is a gothic love story first. The relationship between Dracula and Mina is the heart of the film, and everything else orbits around that tortured, aching bond. It’s about what’s been lost, what’s been sacrificed, and what love costs when immortality is the price.

Stylistically, the film drops you straight into the late 19th century. The wardrobe, architecture, and atmosphere fully commit to the period, making the world feel textured and lived-in. Yet Besson still finds moments to make it feel fresh. There’s a particular party sequence [no spoilers here] that perfectly captures Dracula’s aura, his pull, his charisma. It’s stylish, seductive, and visually striking, reminding us why this character has endured for over a century.

At the center of it all is Caleb Landry Jones, who absolutely owns the screen. Every time he appears, he commands your attention. His Dracula is haunted, magnetic, and emotionally exposed in a way that feels raw rather than performative. Christoph Waltz, meanwhile, brings a grounding presence that balances the heightened romanticism. He doesn’t overpower the film, he anchors it with haunting lore and exposition.

Right around the third act, the visual effects become more noticeable, and while the CGI is played safely, it never feels careless. In fact, it mostly serves the story instead of distracting from it. There is gore here, but it’s not the typical horror-style violence meant to shock or hide behind excess brutality. Instead, it’s restrained, purposeful, and integrated into the narrative. This isn’t about jump scares or gratuitous bloodshed—it’s about mood, consequence, and emotional weight.

[Full YouTube review here]

By the time the credits roll, Dracula feels like a worthy addition to the long lineage of adaptations. Its strength lies in its restraint and its commitment to romance over spectacle. If you’re a fan of the novel, Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, or the recent Nosferatu, you’ll recognize the DNA—but you’ll also appreciate how this version carves out its own identity.

Luc Besson’s Dracula is ultimately a story about love, loss, and the torment of a soul that refuses to die. It’s stylish, emotionally driven, and anchored by performances that show up ready to work.

You can experience Dracula exclusively in theaters beginning February 6. If you’re in the mood for a gothic love story that trades cheap scares for lasting atmosphere, this one deserves your time. For more movie reviews, TV coverage, and pop culture news, keep it locked on wearecritix.com.