Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992): A Movie with Real Bite (Except for Keanu’s British Accent)

I turned on Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula expecting a standard, fangs-out monster flick. What I got instead was a lush, hallucinogenic journey that left me blinking at the screen in genuine surprise. This isn't just a horror movie; it’s a tragic, blood-soaked opera.

The biggest shock was the origin story. Seeing Dracula not as a mindless beast, but as a warrior who renounced God out of grief, added a layer of profound sadness to the character. It transformed him from a "bump in the night" into a timeless, pining romantic; albeit a very deadly one.

Also the technical mastery on display is staggering. The camera work feels alive, using old-school practical effects and creative transitions that make the film feel like a moving painting. However, the experience hit a bit of a snag with Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker. While I usually love his presence, his performance here felt... distant. His face remained remarkably still, making it difficult to gauge his internal terror or longing. In a film where everyone else is dialed up to eleven (looking at you, Gary Oldman), Keanu’s "blank slate" approach felt a little off-beat, almost as if he were in a different movie entirely.

The ending, however, completely stuck the landing. It moved away from the typical "slay the beast" trope and leaned into something much more spiritual. Seeing them achieve that final closure, a quiet release from centuries of wandering and heartache was surprisingly touching. It left me questioning everything I thought I knew about the Count. In essence, Bram Stoker’s Dracula offers a feast for the senses that is far more complex and romantic than anticipated. While some performances waver, the film’s grandeur in storytelling and visual artistry holds firm. So, if you’re ready to rethink the vampire mythos and embrace a narrative that is as intricate as it is visually stunning, dive into this cinematic gem. You might just find yourself surprised too.