Film Review – Dracula (2025)

Embattled director Luc Besson attempted to revive some of his youthful filmmaking instincts with last year’s “June and John,” going micro-indie with a shot-on-phone production that was meant to be freewheeling, but was mostly insufferable. He returns to big-budget endeavors with “Dracula,” which, once again, offers the oft-told tale of a man who became a monster, hunting for love and facing those who wish to end his reign of terror. Besson (who also scripts) reunites with his “Dogman” star Caleb Landry Jones for this take on the world of author Bram Stoker, and the helmer also seems slightly obsessed with Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 version of the tale (“Bram Stoker’s Dracula”), working with influences to fashion his own vision for creature appetites and monster hunting. There’s a love story as well, but, as with much of the picture, there’s little substance to enjoy as Besson attempts to go big and European with the offering, only to end up with a wearisome viewing experience. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com