Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Director: Neil Jordan

Starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas

A vampire tells his epic life story: love, betrayal, loneliness, and hunger.

‘Interview with the Vampire’ is exactly as the title indicates. A reporter interviews a vampire, Louis, and we learn about his life and loves through his retellings. Brad Pitt stars as Louis, a man who tragically lost his family and in the process lost his desire to live. Antagonist vampire Lestat (Tom Cruise) came to his rescue. Or did he? Did het not condemn him to eternal misery instead of saving him?

Indeed so. We see Louis battling coming to terms with his new life – that as a vampire. Although Louis and Lestat are now both vampires, they couldn’t be more different, and I found this an interesting approach to the age old vampire traditions and traits. I once read writer Anne Rice was upset upon learning Cruise was cast as Lestat, being “the wrong person for the role.” However, Cruise is so fantastic as Lestat that she personally apologized to him afterwards. Tom Cruise truly is incredible in this film. For someone who was supposedly one of the most unlikely candidates for the role, Cruise seems all too perfect!

‘Interview with the Vampire’ is a stylish film with great costumes and cinematography, with beautiful settings and production design. The make-up is also excellent. There are a lot of very disturbing images, though, and a lot of blood sucking scenes – many of which are gross. Due to the graphic nature of the film it certainly is not recommended for everyone, and most definitely not for kids. You’re going to have to choose your audience wisely with this film.

‘Interview with the Vampire’ is still one of my favorite vampire movies, providing loads of thrills, chills, action and adventure. I love it!

The film was a box office success, earning $223.6 million on a $60 million budget, also making it one of the most successful vampire movies. It received Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, and Best Music, Original Score. It received a further 60 nominations, winning 24 including Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Horror Film, Best Costumes, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Makeup FX, Best Male Performance, Best Film…

Would I watch it again? Yes!