The Vampire is as old to cinema as the horror genre itself is. From the influential expressionism of Nosferatu (1922), the many more direct popular literary adaptations like Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and the modern romance meshing approach of Thirst (2009), vampires seem to have a long lasting significance in the history of horror. Vampires have even transcended into the worlds of exploitation with cult classics like Blacula (1972) and to parody in lesser cult classics like Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). The key argument I make with this heavily abridged history of Vampires is that not only does anyone remotely familiar with the concept of horror know what a “classic vampire” is but that what constitutes as a “vampire film” is a loose definition.

Bleeding (2024) is a modern retooling of the fundamental traits associated with vampires that delivers a moody character drama with a young adult crime twist. Bell switches gothic castles...