Dracula: A Love Tale (2026) Spoiler Free Review
Dracula: A Love Tale (2026) is yet another reimagining of Bram Stoker’s immortal vampire, but this time Luc Besson trades gothic terror for tragic romance. Written and directed by Besson, the film reframes Dracula less as a monster and more as a cursed lover, condemned to eternity after losing the one person who gave his life meaning. The result is a visually stunning, emotionally earnest film that prioritizes love and longing over fear, sometimes to its own detriment.
When a 15th-century prince denounces God after the loss of his wife he inherits an eternal curse: he becomes Dracula. Condemned to wander the centuries, he defies fate and death, guided by a single hope – to be reunited with his lost love.
Film synopsis
The story opens in the 15th century, where a grieving prince denounces God after the death of his wife, Elisabeta. As punishment, he is cursed with immortality, becoming Dracula. Condemned to wander through centuries of solitude, he clings to a single hope: that one day he will be reunited with his lost love, reincarnated as Mina. This romantic throughline dominates the narrative, making the film less of a horror experience and more of a gothic love tragedy.
Caleb Landry Jones delivers a committed and emotionally raw performance as Dracula. This version of the character is easier to empathize with than many past interpretations, as his love for Elisabeta feels sincere and reciprocated rather than obsessive or predatory. Dracula here is not driven solely by desire or control, but by grief, devotion, and despair. Zoë Bleu brings a quiet vulnerability to Elisabeta/Mina, reinforcing the sense that this is a love story first and a vampire film second. Christoph Waltz adds substance to the supporting cast, grounding the more operatic elements of the story.
Visually, the film is undeniably beautiful. The gothic settings, candlelit interiors, and sweeping landscapes are richly detailed and atmospheric, evoking classic romantic horror. Luc Besson’s eye for spectacle shines, and the cinematography often feels painterly, reinforcing the mythic quality of Dracula’s curse. Danny Elfman’s score complements this aesthetic perfectly, heightening both the romance and the tragedy with lush, melancholic themes.
However, the film struggles with pacing and tonal consistency. It juggles romance, fantasy, gothic horror, and melodrama, but never quite finds a perfect balance between them. Certain sections linger too long, while others rush through moments that could have benefited from deeper emotional exploration. As a result, the film sometimes feels uneven, unsure whether it wants to be a sweeping love epic or a dark supernatural tale.
Despite its emotional sincerity, Dracula: A Love Tale doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table. Fans of vampire cinema will inevitably draw comparisons to Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), and the similarities are hard to ignore, from the tragic romance to the operatic tone and visual stylization. While this version stands on its own, it often feels like a reinterpretation rather than a reinvention.
Ultimately, Dracula: A Love Tale is a hauntingly beautiful, if flawed, gothic romance. Horror purists may find it too restrained, but viewers drawn to tragic love stories will likely be swept away by its emotional core. It may not redefine Dracula, but it offers a heartfelt reminder that at the center of the legend is not just a monster but a man who loved too deeply to die.
Dracula: A Love Tale is coming to theaters in the United States this Friday, February 6, 2026.