Luc Besson’s Dracula, starring Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz, is a bold, atmospheric reimagining of Bram Stoker’s classic tale—one that blends gothic horror with Besson’s signature visual flair. The film follows the familiar bones of Stoker’s novel but reshapes them with a modern cinematic pulse, creating a version of Dracula that feels both timeless and freshly unsettling.
Besson’s adaptation leans into the psychological tension of the original story. The film opens with Jonathan Harker’s journey to Transylvania, but instead of relying on traditional gothic tropes alone, Besson layers the narrative with a sense of creeping dread and emotional complexity. The castle is a character in itself—cold, cavernous, and beautifully shot—setting the stage for a Dracula who is far more nuanced than many past interpretations.
Caleb Landry Jones delivers a mesmerizing performance as the Count. His Dracula is eerie, unpredictable, and strangely sympathetic, capturing the tragic loneliness and monstrous hunger that define Stoker’s creation. Jones brings a physicality and emotional depth that make his portrayal stand out among modern interpretations. In fact, I genuinely felt that his Dracula ranks among one of the best ever brought to screen from Bram Stoker’s novel. He manages to be terrifying without losing the humanity buried beneath centuries of darkness.
Christoph Waltz, playing a priest instead of the hero Professor Van Helsing that we have come to know in the past interpretations, brings his trademark precision and gravitas. His scenes with Jones crackle with tension, offering a cerebral counterbalance to the film’s more visceral moments. Waltz’s performance grounds the story, giving it a moral center without slipping into cliché.
Luc Besson’s direction is stylish and deliberate. He blends gothic horror with sleek modern pacing, creating a film that feels both classic and contemporary. The action sequences—yes, there are a few—are choreographed with the intensity Besson is known for, yet they never overshadow the emotional core of the story. The cinematography is rich with shadow and color, and the score amplifies the film’s haunting atmosphere.
I thoroughly enjoyed Dracula. It’s a visually striking, emotionally layered adaptation that respects the source material while daring to reinterpret it. Caleb Landry Jones delivers a standout performance that elevates the entire film, and Christoph Waltz adds a compelling intellectual edge.
Overall, it’s a gripping, stylish, and surprisingly fresh take on one of literature’s most enduring monsters—and a version of Dracula that deserves to be remembered.
I give this film a B minus.
Dracula opens nationwide on February 6, 2026.
