The Vampire Lore

on

The Vampire Lore


With their origins rooted in ancient folklore, vampires have fascinated and terrified humans for centuries, but where did they come from? 

The earliest known stories of blood-drinking creatures date back to Mesopotamia around 4,000 BCE. Legends spoke of beings like the Akkadian ekimmu, restless spirits that roamed the Earth feeding on the living. Similarly, in ancient Greece, tales of the lamia, a female monster that consumed children and seduced men, laid early foundations for the vampire myth. In medieval Europe, stories of vampires became linked to fears of disease and death, especially during plagues in the 14th and 15th centuries. People blamed mysterious deaths on “undead” creatures, and suspected vampires were often dug up and “destroyed” in ritualistic ways.

This sounds funny now, but I bet at that time it was a BIG deal. What do you think the future people will make fun of us? 

The modern concept of vampires began to take shape in the 18th century. During this time, vampire hysteria spread across Eastern Europe, with detailed accounts recorded in places like Austria and Serbia. These stories caught the attention of Western Europe, inspiring writers like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose poem The Bride of Corinth (1797) introduced elements of romance and tragedy to vampire lore. 

This laid the groundwork for iconic works like John Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819) and Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), which cemented the vampire’s place in pop culture. National Geographic explores these fascinating connections in its article, “The Real History of Vampires”, which dives deep into how these myths spread across cultures and evolved over time.

The First Bite

Nosferatu, directed by F.W. Murnau, is widely recognized as the first vampire film in history. The film faced a big legal problem because it was an unauthorized version of the famous novel "Dracula" written by Bram Stoker,  and published in 1897.  W. Murnau and the filmmakers didn’t get permission from Stoker’s estate to use the story, so they changed some details, like renaming Dracula to Count Orlok. However, Stoker’s widow, Florence, sued the filmmakers for copyright infringement. 

The court ruled in her favor and ordered all copies of the movie to be destroyed. Luckily, a few prints survived, allowing the film to be rediscovered years later. 

The story of Nosferatu follows Thomas Hutter, a real estate agent, who travels to Transylvania to meet Count Orlok, a mysterious client interested in buying property. Hutter soon discovers Orlok is a vampire, whose arrival in Germany spreads a deadly plague. The film climaxes with Orlok being destroyed by sunlight — an idea introduced in this movie that changed how vampires were portrayed for years to come.

The motion picture left audiences in 1922 both mesmerized and terrified. While formal reviews were limited during the silent film era, the movie’s eerie atmosphere and unsettling visuals reportedly stunned viewers. Murnau’s techniques, such as shooting on location and using special effects to create a sense of otherworldliness, set a high standard for horror films.

Film historians have noted that Nosferatu tapped into post-World War I fears of death and disease, making it particularly impactful for its time. Its ability to evoke such strong emotions helped establish horror as a legitimate film genre.

Blessed to live in this era (and not in 'afraid of vampires' era), we can find the original HD movie with English translation in Youtube. If you can handle silent movies, check it out this 104 year-old master piece and tell me your thoughts below!



Coming Soon: Nosferatu 2.0

The upcoming Nosferatu remake, directed by Robert Eggers, is set to breathe new life into the iconic 1922 film. Starring Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying Count Orlok, Lily-Rose Depp as the haunted Ellen, and Nicholas Hoult as her husband Thomas, the film boasts a stellar cast, including Willem Dafoe and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. According to a Wikipedia page: 

"Early reviews praise the film’s ability to build and sustain fear, describing it as exciting, repulsive, and beautiful.”

I’m still undecided about whether I’ll watch this remake or maybe wait for the stream at home. Remakes can be tricky, and I’m not always a fan. f you want to learn more about the cast, the story, or what makes this version of Nosferatu unique, you can find all the details in this article on People. 

What about you? Are you planning to watch it, or do you feel the same way I do? Let me know in the comments!

From scary to sexy? 

Vampires have undergone an extraordinary evolution in films and series over the years, evolving from terrifying monsters to complex and even relatable characters. Fast forward to the mid-20th century, and vampires were brought to life with elegance in Dracula (1931), starring Bela Lugosi, whose portrayal established the vampire as a symbol of charm and menace. By the 1980s, films like The Lost Boys (1987) gave vampires a youthful, rebellious image, blending horror with pop culture and redefining them for a new generation.

The evolution continued into the 21st century as vampires became deeply humanized in films and series. Even adding romance between humans and vampires... and a werewolf? These shifts show how vampires have adapted to changing cultural values, evolving from creatures of fear to reflections of humanity’s struggles, desires, and emotions.

While I’m tempted to spend the rest of this post diving into the Twilight franchise because beautiful Edward Cullen, and because brings me good memories of my teenage years. I can’t help but think about it every time it starts raining here in Washington! 

Instead, I’ll leave you with this hilarious and iconic review by YouTuber Gabi Belle, who perfectly captures my thoughts on the saga. 

Are you team Edward or team Jacob? Currently team Bella's dad, Charlie ♥ 

Edward Cullen carrying Bella Swan on his back through the forest in a memorable scene from the Twilight saga

Now, here are some good movies recommendations about vampires that you wouldn't like to miss.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) 

One of my top 10 movies ever. 

Directed by Jim Jarmusch, is a fresh and unique take on the vampire genre. Blending art, music, and existential philosophy. The film stars Tilda Swinton as Eve and Tom Hiddleston as Adam, two centuries-old vampires deeply in love but grappling with the modern world. 

Adam, a musician living in Detroit, feels depressed about how humanity is ruining the world, while Eve, who lives in Tangier, finds joy in life and beauty. Their peaceful lives are shaken when Eve’s wild sister, Ava, played by Mia Wasikowska, visits and causes trouble. The cast also includes John Hurt as Christopher Marlowe, a vampire with ties to famous literature.

The film is known for its calm, thoughtful mood, focusing on love, art, and what it means to live forever. The music, which includes rock and ambient sounds, matches Adam’s sad and creative spirit. It was filmed in Detroit and Tangier, showing the contrast between a crumbling industrial city and a vibrant, historic town. While it’s about vampires, the movie isn’t scary. Instead, it explores deep ideas about love, loneliness, and the power of art. It’s a one-of-a-kind vampire tale.

Available to rent or purchase in Amazon Prime Video. Have a taste with the official movie trailer here.

What We Do In The Shadows (2019)

If you are in the mood of a bloodthirsty joke this is your queue. 

A comedy series based on the 2014 film by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, premiered in 2019 and quickly became a fan favorite. The show follows a group of vampire roommates—Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin Robinson—who have lived together for centuries in Staten Island, trying (and often failing) to navigate, again, modern life. (is not easy to be "undead" and live 21st century).

Their hilariously mundane struggles include paying rent, dealing with human neighbors, and attending local council meetings. Guillermo, Nandor’s loyal familiar, dreams of becoming a vampire himself but constantly finds himself cleaning up their messes instead.

The show mixes supernatural silliness with clever humor, making it a fun and unique take on vampire stories. Its clever writing, ridiculous situations, and lovable characters make it one of the most refreshing and funny interpretations of vampires to date. 

My favorite part of this series is the introduction of a new kind of vampire—one that feels surprisingly relatable. The Energy Vampire feeds by draining people’s energy simply by talking to them. Meet Colin Robinson, the ultimate Energy Vampire. 

Are you feeling down lately? It could be the lack of sun or maybe an Energy Vampire feeding off you?

You can stream all episodes of the sixth seasons on Hulu (or Disney+ now). 

Penny Dreadful (2014)

Wanting something more spooky? Not exactly a vampire story, but in the realm of mystic creatures.

Created by John Logan, is a Gothic horror series that aired from 2014 to 2016. Set in Victorian London, the show weaves together classic horror stories, reimagining famous characters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and Dorian Gray in a shared dark universe. The story follows Vanessa Ives, played by Eva Green, a woman with mysterious powers battling inner demons and supernatural threats. She is joined by a cast of complex characters, including Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton), Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), and Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), each with their own struggles and connections to the world of mystic creatures.

What sets Penny Dreadful apart is its atmospheric storytelling and deep exploration of humanity through its monsters. The series blends horror, drama, and psychological depth, delving into themes of redemption, faith, and identity.  The show offers beautifully crafted sets, costumes, and haunting music that builds an immersive experience that draws viewers into its Gothic world. Eva Green’s powerful performance earned critical acclaim, and the series remains a must-watch for fans of dark fantasy and supernatural tales. 

Whether you’re drawn to vampires, witches, or classic monster lore, Penny Dreadful offers a rich and captivating journey. Watch the Top 10 Unique Vanessa Ives Moments. 

Available to watch the three seasons in Paramount+ with Showtime or to purchase in Amazon Prime Video.


Vampires: Timeless Creatures of Mystery

At the end of this post I have my mind set on how interesting is that what we watch on the screen shape or shift our view of the world. How something as dark and terrifying as vampires can evolve to a topic suitable for kids, as we may seen in Hotel Transylvania (2012) movies. 

Over time, these mystic creatures keep captivating the audience because of their dual nature: eternal life and death. These qualities shows us a being with feelings that we all understand, like love, loneliness, or wanting to belong.

What are your thought on what is it about these creatures that keeps them relevant across generations? 

Share your thoughts in the comments!


Checkout more movies and shows that I think you'll enjoy


















Comments

Post a Comment