Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Dumb, Sincere Take on the Vampire Legend

Luc Besson’s upcoming 2026 film, Dracula, appears to be less an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s original 1897 novel and more a reimagining of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In the United Kingdom, promotional materials for Besson’s film are even titled Bram Stoker’s Dracula, mirroring Coppola’s approach. While the concept might seem unusual—Besson reinterpreting Coppola’s interpretation of Stoker—the film taps into the nostalgic experience of encountering Gothic horror at a young age.

A Familiar Aesthetic

Despite being in his mid-60s, Besson’s work, including films like The Professional, Lucy, and The Fifth Element, often carries an adolescent energy. In The Fifth Element, the character of Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) is described as a “discomfiting fantasy object” and is ultimately revealed to be the physical embodiment of love. Besson’s Dracula follows suit with similarly grand gestures.

Vlad the Impaler and a Passionate Love Story

Like Coppola’s film, Besson’s Dracula explicitly identifies Count Dracula as the historical figure Vlad the Impaler, whose name inspired Stoker’s creation. Both versions depict Vlad renouncing God after the death of his wife, Elisabeta (Zoë Bleu). In Besson’s take, Prince Vladimir (Caleb Landry Jones) is shown to be more consumed by his love for Elisabeta than by his reputation as a warrior; a montage depicts the couple’s intense affection, requiring intervention from Vladimir’s soldiers before battle.

A Fatal Mistake

Following a victorious battle, Elisabeta is targeted by Vladimir’s enemies and dies during a rescue attempt. A key difference from Coppola’s version is that Vladimir’s spear throw inadvertently causes Elisabeta’s death, impaling both his enemy and his beloved. After killing a priest for failing to protect them, Vladimir fully renounces God. The film portrays this Dracula as, at times, “kind of a dumb-ass.”

Revisiting the Castle

Centuries later, Jonathan Harker (Ewens Abid) arrives at Castle Dracula for a real estate transaction, encountering an eccentric, elderly man with a distinctive hairstyle—a clear homage to Gary Oldman’s iconic look in Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Learning that Harker’s fiancée, Mina (also Bleu), resembles Elisabeta, Dracula sets out to find a possible reincarnation of his lost love.

Did You Know? Luc Besson directed Gary Oldman in the 1997 film, The Fifth Element, and specifically referenced Oldman when discussing his star, Caleb Landry Jones, for this new Dracula adaptation.

Departures and Additions

Besson deviates from Coppola’s film in the mid-section, with Harker engaging Dracula in a conversation reminiscent of Interview with the Vampire, leading to vignettes detailing Dracula’s centuries-long search for Elisabeta. This includes a scene where Dracula digs up Elisabeta’s grave, only to be dismayed by her decayed remains.

Besson also introduces unique elements, such as a dance number that turns into a bloodbath and the transformation of Mina’s friend, Lucy, into a gleefully voracious vampire named Maria (Matilda De Angelis). Instead of traditional seductive brides, Dracula’s castle is guarded by animated stone gargoyles.

A Questionable Sympathy

The film’s romanticization of Dracula, a monster who kills throughout the ages, is particularly notable. This element is even more pronounced in Besson’s version than in Coppola’s. The director has faced accusations of sexual misconduct, though he was acquitted of rape by a French court in 2023.

Expert Insight: The film’s focus on Dracula’s romantic obsession, despite his violent actions, raises questions about the portrayal of monstrous figures and the potential for romanticizing harmful behavior. This approach, while potentially appealing to a specific audience, requires careful consideration given the director’s past legal challenges.

An Adolescent Passion

Besson’s Dracula captures the intense, often illogical, passion of a teenage crush. Caleb Landry Jones, who previously worked with Besson on Dogman, delivers a performance that balances pitiable yearning with monstrous desires. Besson himself stated that Jones’ talent reminded him of Gary Oldman’s performance. The film doesn’t strive for artistic elevation but instead offers a “stupidly sincere Gothic love story” with delightfully absurd touches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What film is Luc Besson’s Dracula most closely based on?

Luc Besson’s Dracula appears to be largely based on Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, rather than Bram Stoker’s original novel.

Who plays Dracula and Elisabeta in the new film?

Caleb Landry Jones plays Prince Vladimir (Dracula), and Zoë Bleu plays Elisabeta.

What is a key difference between Besson’s and Coppola’s versions of Elisabeta’s death?

In Besson’s version, Elisabeta’s death is partially Vladimir’s fault, as he accidentally impales her with a spear while attempting to protect her.

Does the enduring appeal of the Dracula mythos lie in its ability to tap into our most primal desires and fears, even when presented in a somewhat absurd fashion?