Ok, before we dive into Luc Besson’s take on the iconic story of Dracula, we have to talk about what a mess the title of this movie is! In some parts of the world, it is simply called Dracula, in others, Luc Besson’s Dracula, and here in the UK, where I live, I saw it referred to as Bram Stoker’s Dracula…. Yes, the same name as the 90s movie! I have more often than not seen it called Dracula 26 (even though it actually premiered in France in 2025)! I get that this is a retelling of the original story, but they could have come up with a more unique and identifying title.
Where to Watch Dracula
Dracula was released on 30 July 2025. You can stream the film from a digital platform.
The Movie Review
Is vampire fatigue a thing? I feel that we have had many vampire movies over the last few years, such as The Last Voyage of the Demeter and Renfield in 2023, Nosferatu in 2025, and now Dracula in 2026. Out of those four, I would say that I liked Nosferatu the best, and the other three, including this recent Dracula, are all pretty much interchangeable for me.
Story
I have to say, this is a very decent retelling of the classic story of Dracula. This time around, Caleb Landry Jones, who you may know as Banshee from X-Men: First Class, is playing Dracula. Let me start by saying what I really liked about the movie. The movie looks fantastic; the gothic imagery, the costumes, and the sets are all done very, very well. It has a dark and moody look about it, and I think that it looks awesome.
Soundtrack and Visual Style
The score here is also great. Danny Elfman handling the score was one of the things that made me most excited to check out the movie. What you imagine in your head a Danny Elfman scored Dracula movie would sound like is pretty much what you get here, and I mean that in a positive way. The music and the visuals go very, very well together.
Plot Comparison
As far as the actual movie goes, Luc Besson’s Dracula is pretty much the same Dracula story that you have probably experienced many times before. The similarities to Bram Stoker’s Dracula from 1992 are as bright as day. We have Dracula renouncing his faith and becoming a vessel of evil. We have him looking for his long lost love, and we have the character Johnathan’s wife, Mina being whom Dracula sees as the reincarnation of his long deceased love.
Cast and Characters
Hey, if you love the Dracula story, this ticks all the boxes, and it is a decent time. I just think that they could have taken a few more risks here. The movie looks great, the sound is fantastic, and all of the cast do a great job. However, I just had a feeling that I had seen all this before. The other Dracula movies I mentioned earlier. Nosferatu, Renfield, and The Last Voyage of the Dementor are all different enough to stand out on their own, especially Renfield and Dementor.
Final Verdict
I am not saying that this is not worth your time. If you like Dracula, gothic horror, and if you love the 90s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, you will more than likely enjoy this. I just do not think that this would be a movie that I would be in a hurry to watch again anytime soon. Still, if it is on a streaming service you have, give it a chance.
