New Vampire Movie Is Like ‘Twilight’ But With Dark And Sophisticated Plot
'Drained' is excellent movie where a young man falls in love with a vampire. Bella is now the vampire, ha.
By Chris Catt
Drained (2024) follows the complicated relationship between Thomas and Rhea. At first, it feels like it could be a straightforward romance about a man falling for a vampire, but it quickly becomes clear that their relationship can only end in horror.
Thomas is an unemployed man living with his mother until he’s kicked out when his mother’s boyfriend moves. Things start looking up when he meets Rhea—the girl of his dreams (and the subject of his drawings)—but on their very first night together, he finds out she’s a vampire.
Despite the obvious dangers, Thomas does everything he can to build a connection between them, even as the union proves toxic from the beginning.
Here are some quick reasons why you should give the movie a watch.
Captivating Characters
Thomas, like Bella in Twilight, is portrayed as a “lovable loser” who makes boneheaded mistakes, yet his character elicits sympathy from the audience. Ruaridh Aldington nails the role, capturing the right balance between endearing and aggravating. Meanwhile, Rhea, played by Madalina Bellariu Ion, is both alluring and frightening, drawing us into her mysterious, tortured world.
A Fresh Take on Vampire Tropes
While we learn early on that Rhea is a vampire, there’s still plenty of mystery surrounding her. Drained introduces vampires that differ from the usual portrayals.
Smart Script
The writing in Drained is exceptionally clever. It takes familiar vampire tropes and makes them feel fresh and interesting. Even though the idea of a doomed relationship with a vampire isn’t unusual in fiction, the plot is so well developed that it holds your attention from start to finish.
Stunning Visuals and Mood
Aesthetically, Drained looks fantastic. The movie’s lighting, production design, and overall visual style perfectly capture the mood of each scene, demonstrating top-notch indie filmmaking on a modest budget. And I’m not saying Drained looks good for an indie film, I’m simply saying that the movie looks good. Period.
If you want to watch Drained, you can currently rent or buy it on Amazon Prime. You can also read our comprehensive review of the film on Creepy Catalog.
