Sinners blew the doors off of the box office this weekend and left its mark on Hollywood and movie goers alike. I had my issues with the film (it needed more Irish jigs and less cunnilingus). All that aside, Ryan Coogler’s vampiric period piece about appropriation and assimilation still dances around in my head and has me craving more vampire media. I saw my colleagues of the written word were making vampire recommendations and lists, so I thought I would too. Here’s 5 pieces of vampire media I know you’ll love, from the creative minds of old white guys.
From Dusk Till Dawn
Sure, Robert Rodriguez does an amazing job directing his first action-horror film, but you have to give all the credit here to Quentin Tarantino’s screenplay. He effortlessly blends elements of westerns, vampiric horror, and a role for himself where he sucks on Salma Hayek’s toes. This is just a good old heist movie where bank robbers take on a gang of vampire strippers. Did I mention there’s a guy with a penis gun?
Dracula
Did the women in Sinners have too much agency for you? Prefer your leading ladies to do a little less leading and a little more following? Then I have a book for you. Mina and Lucy are fine characters, but they know how to get out of the way and let the boys play. There are very few vampires in this, aside from the Count and his nameless daughters, but the classic novel does share some themes with Sinners. Count Dracula was the first appropriator, the original Mr. Steal Your Girl.
BloodRayne
I’m honestly surprised Tarantino didn’t try to write, direct, and act in the film adaptation of this game series’. Something tells me he would have put his best foot forward.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
If Buffy taught me anything it’s that monsters can be anywhere, including the writers’ room of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Fevre Dream
When I recall George R.R. Martin’s pre-civil war vampiric steamboat adventure, two things come to mind. 1. I am just glad he finished something. 2. Quentin Tarantino would snatch these film rights up in a heartbeat if he knew how many times the N slur was used in this book.
