As far ashorrorsubgenres go, the vampire subgenre is one of the less popular ones today. Perhaps it just suffered too many variations, got “vanilla’ed” by one of the most important franchises in modern cinema, and lost the engaging characteristic that made it one of the most compelling horror houses at some point. Vampires were sexy, mostly sexual. But now they do seem harmless, right?
Most of that fall in popularity had to do with the rules of the subgenre and how simple they are. No garlic, no sunlight, nothing but humans. Modern filmmakers stayed within those walls, and only a handful took on the challenge of twisting the bloodsucking guidelines to their advantage. And this is how the notable modern vampire productions came to be. Saving the genre from being a thing of the past.
However, the most essential part of the subgenre is the performance. It’s the only horror subgenre in which the performer can really make a difference and tilt the scale toward the film being more effective. Fortunately, in today’s industry, we have to add TV to the equation, because vampires have proven to have the same (and sometimes more) effecton the small screen.
As we look back and reminisce on the classics, and the modern vampire entries, we thought it was time to put together a list of the bloodsucking freaks that we love and hate for the same reasons. Nevertheless, there’s one thing they share, and it’s stayed like that throughout centuries: our love for them will never die. These are the best vampire performances in film and TV.
It’s undeniable that Francis Ford Coppola made thebest versionof Dracula of the last 50 years.Bram Stoker’s Draculais a great exercise of style and storytelling that takes the literary classic, keeps the Gothic elements, and then transforms into a creature feature/modern romance very quickly.
It also features ThespianGary Oldmanplaying Count Vlad in arguably the most important performance of his early career. Oldman adds depth to the character and almost injects it with reason, in every iteration of all the variations Vlad goes through in the film.
11Mark Proksch as Colin Robinson – What We Do in the Shadows
Mark Proksch’s Colin Robinson is TV’s most original vampire. And it will likely stay like that for a while. What probably started as a joke in the writer’s room for the TV showWhat We Do in the Shadows, turned into a pop culture sensation that’s still alive.
Colin Robinson is one of the vampires living in a modern household where a group of vampires is trying to make a living. Only Colin isn’t the average man who appears to have been alive for centuries. He’s clumsy, average and seems to be Toby Flenderson’s cousin. He’s also an energy vampire, meaning he can drain you to death by using his power: boring you to death, and this is effortless for Robinson. Proksch seems tailor-made for the role.
10Kiefer Sutherland as David – The Lost Boys (1987)
Joel Schumacher’sThe Lost Boysis one of the best vampire films ever made, and it’s curiously remained untouched by the remake craze that began years ago. Not that itneeds to be remade. When taking the ’80s aesthetic into account,The Lost Boysis a great example of a horror film that’s aimed at being cool and slick and not necessarily scary.
That’s untilKiefer Sutherlandshows up and performs one of his best. David is menacing, handsome, and sexy. He’s the perfect example of the queer element present in the film, but never fully recognized in the plot, as his connection with main character Michael seems to go beyond the apparent. Sutherland’s voice and presence are felt throughout the film as indispensable.
9Kristin Bauer van Straten as Pam – True Blood
The HBO showTrue Bloodwas a recent entry into the vampire genre on television that crossed the line associated with horror. The series had romance, comedy, action, sex and lots and lots of blood. Sometimes all of those are in the same scene. It’s hard to pick one character of the film as an audience’s favorite, but if we had to, then Pam would surely be there. At the top spot.
Kristin Bauer van Stratendelivers an honest, restrained performance as a grouchy and sensual vampire whose attitude is as toxic and violent as you would expect from a co-owner of a vampire nightclub in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her puns are legendary, and they made her an essential part of the show’s later half. When it ended, we didn’t miss Sookie, Bill, or anyone else. Pam was the one that who a void in our hearts.
Related:The Best Non-Traditional Vampire Movies, Ranked
8Wesley Snipes as Blade – Blade (1998)
Bladeis the 1998 vampire film that unknowingly set the groundwork for many superhero adventures to come. Only in the very first scene of what would turn into a franchise, we get something that Marvel films don’t have: intense amounts of blood.
Wesley Snipesplays the fantastic vampire hunter who also suffers from the disease, and the actor does so by applying what made him a recognizable action man during his prime: delivering puns, performing martial arts and never sacrificing the originality of his character.
7Alexander Skarsgård as Eric – True Blood
Yes, Pam was the first selection, butAlexander Skarsgård’s Eric inTrue Bloodalso deserves to be named. He’s just interesting because of how well his character enters the picture and manages to stay by playing a solid emotional obstacle to the lead couple. However, Skarsgård’s performance elevates the character beyond expectations with physicality and emotion that aren’t usually felt throughout the show. When you think ofTrue Blood,he’s the first thing that comes to mind.
6Chris Sarandon as Jerry Dandridge – Fright Night (1985)
Fright Nightis a damn good film, and easily one of thebest vampire moviesever made. It tells the story of a teenager called Charlie, whose sure his new neighbor is a vampire. ButChris Sarandon’s Jerry Dandridge has the ability and charm to convince everyone otherwise. Yes, even Charlie’s mother and girlfriend.
This explains a lot about the magnetism of the character, who, right until the end, relies on the more sensual aspect of vampire essence in a film that’s entirely welcoming of the culture. This one has it all: crosses, garlic, holy water, and non-reflecting mirrors. Oh yeah, and a great monster makeup worn by Sarandon in the best performance of his career.
5Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins – Dark Shadows
When making a list of iconic vampires in television, Barnabas Collins of the daytime soap operaDark Shadowsis always going to be there. Played byJonathan Frid, Collins was the central character of the comedy-drama in which a vampire simply wants to be part of human society again, and finds difficulties doing so. Frid’s absolute dedication is felt throughout the show, and his legacy is more than obvious in the current characterizations of highly emotional vampires.
4Max Schrek as Count Orlok - Nosferatu (1922)
The 1922 version ofNosferatuis 100 years old and still manages to look great. The gritty look and the Gothic atmosphere feel authentic when confined to the folklore settings of the Nosferatu story, and for some, it’s a damn scary film.
Much of that has to do with the portrayal byMax Schreck, the German actor who gave life to the character. His resemblance was key to the character beingmore naturalthan expected, and each of the frames he shows up in makes for a great horror painting. More than scary, he’s spooky. His great characterization was the source for E. Elias Merhige’s black comedyShadow of the Vampire, in which director Murnau is forced to deal with the fact that Schreck was actually a vampire and his film was just a tad realistic.
Related:Best Horror Movies of 2023
3Claes Bang as Dracula – Dracula
Of the recent vampire material we’ve seen in TV and film, the British miniseriesDraculastands among the most interesting approaches ever given to the character. Told in only three episodes, his story reaches modern times and adds a twist to the basics of vampire lore that we’re familiar with.Claes Bang’s central character is played with finesse by the actor, who most certainly does his own thing, while having respect for and representing the culture he landed in.
