Rhiannon Elizabeth Irons
As the scent of pumpkin spice lingers in the air, we know that Halloween is near. The spooky season will be upon us before we know it which means we must prepare for an onslaught of horror movies at the box office.
Come to think of it, 2023 has already had some solid entries into the horror genre well before the month of October has descended on us.
One film in particular caught my attention. The Last Voyage of the Demeter took a chapter from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and embellished it for a feature-length film. While I found the film to predictable, there were certain elements that intrigued me. None more so than the return of one of my favourite mythical creatures to the big screen; vampires.
Now, as I indulge myself in another Buffy marathon, I think it’s time that I rank my favourite bloodsuckers and children of the night. These vamps have come from both the big screen and the silver screen and have left a lasting legacy in pop culture, and in my heart.
13: Blade (Wesley Snipes) – Blade (1998)
Based on the comic book series, Blade is technically a dhampir – a human with vampire genetics – a result of his mother being bitten while giving birth. He becomes a vampire hunter to avenge his mother’s death in a bleak urban underworld where pure-blood vampires fight humans who have transformed.
12: Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt) – Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Brooding and pouty, Louis is the quintessential vampire. His good looks and brooding personality make him a ladies man, but unlike his sire, Louis loathes being a vampire. He cannot take a human life and often lives on rats or chickens.
It takes him centuries to accept what he is and what power he possesses. After that, he becomes a storyteller, warning mortals of what lurks in the shadows of their fair cities.
11: David (Kiefer Sutherland) – The Lost Boys (1987)
One of the most enjoyable vampire films available, The Lost Boys is a must-see film for any fan of vampires.
When Michael Emerson (Jason Patric) and his family move to Santa Carla, a coastal California town, they discover it chock full of alienated teens like David, who have a very unique way of expressing their angst; vampirism.
10: Angel (David Boreanaz) – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996-2003)
Angel started out as the tall, dark, brooding stranger in the hit TV show before Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) knew what he was. A vampire in love with a slayer is rather poetic and Angel was love’s bitch until he lost his soul. Then he reverted back to the killer that he was centuries ago. One moment of pure happiness undid the curse that held his soul in place.
Now that he’s back to being a sweetie pie and fighting with Buffy instead of against her we all fell back in love with his brooding ways. We’re just hoping he won’t return to being Angelus anytime soon.
9: Damon and Stefan Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley) – The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
Two hotties for the price of one in this entry. I can already hear you asking why.
Why?
Well, who doesn’t love a little sibling rivalry, even if it’s among the undead. Brothers Damon and Stefan are almost always at odds in this long running saga. Admittedly, that’s mostly because Damon has made it his immortal life’s work to torment Stefan. Now that’s entertainment.
8: William Erasmus “Bill” Compton (Stephen Moyer) – True Blood (2008-2014)
A strong storyline in a popular book series takes a deviation when it comes to the television portrayal, but that doesn’t always mean a bad thing. Bill Compton is one hell of a powerful vampire, especially in later seasons, though he does have his demons and flaws.
While these are all alluring, adding to his appeal, he still has some good qualities. Let’s face it, any vamp that’s willing to suffer a “true death” gets the A-OK in this book.
7: Amilyn (Paul Reubens) – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Quirky and filled with hate, yet at the same time, bloody hilarious, Amilyn is second only to Lothos (Rutger Hauer). Going against Buffy (Kristy Swanson) and Pike (Luke Perry), Amilyn really has his work cut out for him. With lines like, “You ruined my new jacket. Kill him a lot!” it’s really hard to imagine what the vampire race would be like if Amilyn was in charge.
The late, great Paul Reubens single-handedly stole the show in this origin movie from Joss Whedon. (And if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll understand that pun).
6: Drusilla (Juliet Landau) – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996-2003)
As far as wacked out vampires go, Dru takes the cake. Driven insane by the forementioned Angelus before being sired by him, Dru isn’t one you want to face off against one-on-one. Just ask Kendra.
But aside from her crazy antics and impressive hypnotic powers, Dru isn’t all bad. Her romance with Spike showed us a softer side to her personality that was quiet alluring. Just be sure you don’t look her in the eyes…
5: Armand (Antonio Banderas) – Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Handsome, feisty, and yet a gentle lover, Armand fell for Louis’ (Brad Pitt) charms and wanted to show him the ways of the old world.
After the death of Louis’ child companion Claudia (Kirsten Dunst), Armand and Louis part ways. But the sexiness that is Armand does return, and forever will hold a place in our hearts as one super-hot, worldly vampire.
4: Selene (Kate Beckinsale) – Underworld (2003)
A “death dealer”, vampy Selene engages in a lifelong battle against the Lycans (werewolves) that she believes killed her family.
This action-packed entry left us speechless for a few reasons. The action, the impressive story, or the hotness that is Selene, clad in a leather bodysuit with guns blazing. Is it me or is it hot in here?
3: Spike (James Marsters) – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996-2003)
Originally the big bad of Sunnydale in Season 2, Spike was supposed to die and never return. Fortunately, he won over audiences and returned to the show in Season 4 as a replacement for Cordellia (Charisma Carpenter).
With his bad boy looks, platinum blonde hair, six-pack abs, he was the vampire that could make those True Blood boys cry, all the while making the ladies swoon.
In later seasons, whilst still maintaining he was still “bad”, Spike fell in love with Buffy and set about trying to please her the best he could. He even seeks out obtaining a soul for her.
“I may be love’s bitch, but at least I’m man enough to admit it.”
2: Dracula (Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Gary Oldman)
You’ll note three men and no movie title for this entry. The reason for this is because these three are my top three for the role of Dracula. Let’s face it, Dracula is the most common vampire and there have been many renditions to the character over the years. Bela was the original. Christopher is one of the greatest, and Gary Oldman stole the show in the 1992 classic Bram Stoker’s Dracula. When it comes to the Prince of Darkness, these three men are the best.
And between you and me, you can’t have a countdown list about vampires and not include The Count.
1: Lestat de Lioncourt (Tom Cruise) – Interview with the Vampire (1994)
If you know me well, you’ll know that there could be no other possible number one for this list.
Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Anne Rice’s Lestat was nothing short of perfection. So much so, Anne, who initially disagreed with the casting, ended up writing a full-page apology to Tom upon the movie’s release.
Lestat is the perfect killer. Loving all things that are beautiful, Lestat offered his victims a choice; the choice he never had. Sexy, dangerous, and oh-so charming, Lestat could have anyone he desired.
“Evil is a point of view. God kills indiscriminately and so shall we. For no creatures under God are as we are, none so like him as ourselves.”