7 Excellent Vampire Films You May Have Overlooked

      Casey Chong highlights seven outstanding vampire films that you might have overlooked…

      The vampire genre has been around for ages, dating back to 1922 with F.W. Murnau’s classic black-and-white film, Nosferatu. Over the years, it has evolved, leading to notable titles like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, ‘Salem’s Lot, Fright Night, Blade, and Let the Right One In. While those films are widely recognized, there are many others that are obscure, underappreciated, or sadly forgotten, and they deserve more recognition. This brings us to a selection of seven excellent vampire films you might have missed…

      **Bloodsucking Bastards (2015)**

      Bloodsucking Bastards offers an unexpected yet entertaining blend of workplace comedy and modern vampire horror. Created by Brian James O’Connell, who directed and co-wrote the film, it features relatable workplace issues like navigating different employee personalities and corporate red tape, all presented in a humorous light akin to shows like The Office and Mike Judge's Office Space. With vampires taking over the office, the film gets delightfully bloody, showcasing plenty of graphic violence that genre fans will appreciate. Among the cast is Pedro Pascal, portraying the beleaguered sales manager, Max.

      **Pale Blood (1990)**

      This direct-to-video vampire horror-thriller features an intriguing serial killer twist, centering on a well-dressed vampire played by George Chakiris who comes to L.A. to investigate a string of unusual murders. The victims appear to have been drained of blood. If you can overlook Chakiris's somewhat unusual name, Michael Fury, he delivers a stoic performance that contrasts nicely with the late Wings Hauser, who plays the extravagant Van Vandameer, a self-styled erotic video artist. The film also incorporates psychic elements, unconventional humor, and live performances from the California punk-rock band, Agent Orange.

      **Innocent Blood (1992)**

      John Landis, known for successfully merging werewolf horror and comedy in An American Werewolf in London, applies a similar formula in Innocent Blood, this time focusing on vampires with a mob twist. Despite its ambition, the 1992 horror-comedy didn't perform well at the box office, earning nearly $5 million against its $20 million budget. Though the film has its flaws, Innocent Blood deserves greater recognition. It stars Anne Parillaud, famous for her role in La Femme Nikita, giving a captivating performance as the vampire Marie. The film also features Robert Loggia as the menacing mob boss Sal The Shark, who eventually becomes a vampire, adding intrigue to the film. The dark humor reminiscent of An American Werewolf in London is present, alongside ample gore and well-executed effects, including a striking scene involving a vampire's gruesome death from sunlight exposure.

      **Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971)**

      John D. Hancock, known for directing Bang the Drum Slowly and episodes of The Twilight Zone, made his directorial debut with Let’s Scare Jessica to Death. While the title suggests a horror-comedy, it leans more into psychological horror mixed with vampire elements. Hancock focuses on atmospheric visuals over frequent scares, effectively showcasing Zohra Lampert as the lead, Jessica, who has a history of mental health issues. Co-written by Hancock and Lee Kalcheim, the film builds a sense of creeping dread that persists throughout. Jessica frequently hears inner voices, leaving viewers to question her mental state, especially when a mysterious drifter named Emily (Mariclare Costello) enters the scene, further complicating the film's central mystery before it concludes with a genuinely unsettling finale.

      **The Addiction (1995)**

      Abel Ferrara infuses his indie style into The Addiction, shot in striking black and white. This choice creates a distinct neo-noir atmosphere, thanks to Ken Kelsch's evocative cinematography. Lili Taylor stars as Kathleen Conklin, an NYU philosophy student attacked by a mysterious woman one night, leading to her transformation into a vampire. Ferrara uses this premise as a grim metaphor for drug addiction, temptation, and humanity's darker nature. The film delves into Kathleen's physical and mental struggles, showing how one bite alters her existence forever. Christopher Walken appears in a brief but memorable role as the vampire, Peina.

      **Martin (1977)**

      George A. Romero, primarily recognized for his work in the zombie genre, also directed the underrated film Martin. The title character, portrayed by John Amplas, is a shy young man who believes he is a vampire, but instead of biting, he uses a syringe filled with drugs on his victims before drinking their blood. Romero includes black-and-white flashbacks of Martin’s past but leaves the question of his vampirism or delusion open-ended. Like his zombie films, Romero embeds social commentary into Martin, addressing themes of teenage angst, isolation