This New Vampire Romance Is Better Than ‘Twilight’ And Is Perfect For A Dark Valentine’s Day

Fate brings Thomas and Rhea together in the new tragic romance Drained, but theirs is a love doomed for blood and horror.

Thomas is a lovable loser who is in a bad place in life. But, as he drinks his woes away at a local club, he meets Rhea, the woman of his dreams. It’s a meet-cute that becomes a lot less charming when, during their first night together, Thomas wakes up to find Rhea drinking his blood. Yes, Rhea is a vampire, but Thomas has already fallen for her. So, despite the obvious dangers, he pursues a relationship with her even when it becomes abundantly clear that they are exactly wrong for each other.

Movie Review

Drained is great, and that greatness begins with the cast. Ruaridh Aldington is superb in the role of Thomas, a man entranced by the dangerous allure of a vampire. The way he plays it is grounded in reality, like Thomas is overwhelmed with obsession rather than being supernaturally influenced by Rhea. On the other side of the relationship, Madalina Bellariu Ion plays Rhea with the perfect balance of mystery, seductiveness, vulnerability, and danger. It’s easy to see why Thomas falls for Rhea, even though we all know it is going to end badly.

The writing in Drained is also very well done. It is a smart movie that entwines vampirism with addiction and obsession, both visually and from a character perspective. The plot is also well orchestrated, keeping viewers hooked as the movie builds up to a climactic series of final scenes. The explosion of horror, emotion, and tragedy at the end of Drained is completely satisfying in a bittersweet way.

Also, the movie simply looks fantastic. Other than a small number of special effects that are a little awkward, the visual quality of Drained is top-tier. The cinematography exactly fits the mood of the movie, and the inclusion of stylized, dream-like moments heightens the overall experience.