Over a century ago, the world witnessed the birth of vampire Movies with the iconic 1922 film, “Nosferatu.” It showcased the eerie allure of one of the most legendary monsters, captivating audiences with its chilling portrayal. Max Schreck’s portrayal in this movie is not just a classic, but it ignited a deep-seated fascination for these nocturnal beings who survive on human blood.
Vampires, over time, have been depicted as both terrifying and tantalizing. They’re driven by an insatiable thirst, making them formidable. Yet, there’s an undeniable charm to them, ensuring they remain in the limelight, even today.
While Francis Ford Coppola’s “Dracula” stands as a pinnacle in vampire Movies, the genre boasts a plethora of films, including intriguing international titles. These foreign films have added unique spins to vampire lore, presenting diverse tales and origins worth sinking your teeth into.
10 Foreign Vampire Movies You Should Watch
1. Let the Right One In – Sweden
Adapted from John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel, this BAFTA-nominated film dives into the life of Oskar, a boy often tormented by his peers. Everything starts to shift for him when he befriends a mysterious girl named Eli. However, Eli harbors a deep, haunting secret. Faced with the truth about her, Oskar must grapple with a choice: whether to embrace or escape from her shadowed world.
2. Only Lovers Left Alive – England
In Jim Jarmusch’s dark romantic drama, Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston portray Adam and Eve, two age-old vampires. While Adam grapples with his melancholy as a musician, he’s reunited with Eve, his long-time lover. However, their tranquil existence gets disrupted when Eve’s impulsive younger sister arrives, endangering the life they’ve carefully crafted and risking exposure of their vampire identities.
3. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night – United States
Set in the eerie backdrop of Iran’s Bad City, this U.S.-produced film by Ana Lily Amirpour dives deep into the life of a solitary vampire. As she prowls the night streets, she both torments the town’s nocturnal residents and seeks to quench her insatiable loneliness and hunger. Presented in stark black and white, the film made its mark by clinching three awards at the Sitges festival.
4. Thirst – Korea
Directed by the acclaimed Park Chan-wook, this gripping film features Song Kang-ho, known for “Parasite”, as a priest. When a deadly pandemic strikes, he selflessly volunteers for a vaccine trial. However, an unforeseen side effect emerges, giving him an insatiable thirst for blood. Torn between his newfound urges and his deeply-rooted faith and morals, the priest grapples with difficult choices about his future.
5. Rabid – Canada
In the 1977 movie “Rabid” directed by David Cronenberg, the traditional vampire myth gets a twist. Instead of a bite turning someone into a vampire, it’s an experimental surgery that triggers Rose’s insatiable craving for human blood. Unable to resist these urges, Rose attacks various individuals. Those attacked then morph into zombie-like beings, creating widespread panic and chaos throughout the city.
6. Blood for Dracula – Italy / France
Directed by Paul Morrissey and starring Udo Kier and Joe Dallesandro, “Blood for Dracula” puts a fresh spin on Bram Stoker’s classic. In this version, Dracula and his sidekick, Renfield, travel to Italy in search of a new love interest for the iconic vampire. Dracula’s on a tight clock, needing fresh blood to keep him alive. But as they search, they must tread carefully. The locals are growing suspicious, and if they uncover his true nature, it could be the end of Dracula.
7. Vampyres – England/Spain
In the ’70s classic directed by José Ramón Larraz, Marianne Morris and Anulka Dziubinska star as a pair of cunning vampires. Disguised as everyday women in distress, they hitch rides with unsuspecting strangers. Once in the car, their charm is hard to resist, luring these drivers back to their homes. But their true intention? A sinister need to feed on their blood to keep them alive.
8. Blood Red Sky – Germany
In a gripping film directed by Peter Thorwarth, the same mind behind “The Wave,” we follow a mother and her son as they embark on what should have been a routine overnight flight. She’s on a critical mission to receive life-saving medical treatment. However, the journey takes a dire turn when terrorists hijack the plane, presenting life-threatening demands. Now, not only does the mother have to fight to protect her son, but she’s also faced with revealing the truth about her mysterious ailment.
9. What We Do in the Shadows – New Zealand
In Taika Waititi’s comedic horror flick, he not only directs but also stars, giving us a glimpse into the lives of millennial vampires. These ancient bloodsuckers, after feasting on humans for centuries, now find themselves as modern-day roommates. They grapple with mundane day-to-day issues, handle their share of chores, and figure out how to quench their thirst for blood in a world where humans are no longer easy prey.
10. The Hunger – England
Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon light up the screen in this tale of passion, blood, and dark desires. Deneuve portrays a captivating vampire who cycles through lovers, discarding them when they lose their allure. Her current partner, a composer, believes their love is eternal. However, when she becomes entranced by a new human interest, he realizes his days might be numbered. His desperation and jealousy lead him down a path of recklessness, putting everyone around him in peril.
