“Sinners” is Hollywood’s latest movie to keep the vampire genre rolling

The world’s appetite for vampires is as immortal as they are.

As she walks along the main strip of the historic Riverside Plaza, centrally located in the city of Riverside, CA, Cynthia Cole’s 5-year-old son Adonis reacts excitedly as they approach the large posters of upcoming films displayed on the walls of the Regal Theater.

“Mommy, I want to see this one, with the two big guys on it!” her child shouts as he points to an eerie looking poster of two menacing looking guys, surrounded by several clawed hands, in front of a setting sun.

“Can we go see it?”

Looking at the R rating on the poster, the young mom must let her son down easy.

“Baby, you’re too young for this one,” Cole answers, while pointing to a poster of a more family friendly film. “How about this movie right here?”

The poster that has caught her son’s attention is for the upcoming release of “Sinners.” The 2025 film written and directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, is Hollywood’s latest take on the vampire genre. According to a blog post published by Monster Complex, a platform well-known for its dedication to all fictionalized monster films, more than 200 films featuring Dracula, the most famous vampire, have been made (https://www.monstercomplex.com/blog/count-dracula-13-alternate-versions).

Many Hollywood monsters, fictionalized creatures, and supernatural beings come and go. It is rare for any to have decades long runs, after their introductions. Some bring about a handful of sequels, each decreasing in quality and likability, over attempts to squeeze as many dollars out of the public as possible. Then they are gone, replaced by something newer, bigger, and exciting. However, in the case of the blood sucking, immortal, and creature of the night vampires, the public appetite has proved un-ending.

So why does Hollywood continue to feature vampires in its movies and television series? What is it about these “fang-having” and  “sunlight-hating” immortal beings that us mere mortal humans cannot get enough of?

“If it is made right, you just can’t beat a good vampire flick,” says LaVon Cooper of Moreno Valley, CA. “They can do things us regular people wish we can do. By watching them, we get to see the impossible become possible.”

It started with a gothic horror novel by an Irish writer named Abraham Stoker, who was far better known by his pen name, Bram. Released in 1897, his book “Dracula” with its simple yellow cover and title in large, red, ominous letters at the top, became a huge success around the world. Written from the perspective of several narrators, the story told through their individual journals and letters details their relationship with the mysterious Count Dracula, a Romanian transplant, who brings about a string of death and sickness to London, England.  

Several well-known characters and vampire characteristics synonymous with the genre are introduced. Professor Abraham Van Helsing, Mina Murray, Dr. John “Jack” Seward, and the delusional Renfield, all of whom have appeared in many later adaptations of the story, are introduced. The superhuman strength, the agility and speed, the fangs, sharp nails, shape shifting into a bat, and the inability to enter a house unless invited are detailed. Weapons like the wooden stake to the heart, the crucifix, holy water, aversion to sunlight, and the infamous coffin are also described in the novel.

Stoker unleashed a fictional character who embodied the supernatural. Dracula, though evil and living with an unwavering selfish and evil intent, had the immortality people wished for and the abilities we wished we could have, and once introduced, the world’s obsession began.

“It is the fantasy and the suspense angle for me,” says Jazlynn Wilson of Murrieta, CA. “I have seen a lot of different vampire movies and find them intriguing. My favorites are the Underworld movies, and Queen of the Damned that Aaliyah starred in.”

The first film adaptation came in 1922. It was a German silent film, directed by F.W. Murnau, called “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.” It brought forth the vision, which was told in words twenty-five years ago by Stoker, to the big screen. The difference in the name was chosen due to Murnau not having permission from Stoker’s estate, specifically his widow, Florence, for the film. Like many other filmmakers after him, he came up with his own take on the original vision, which, upon the film’s release, was immediately recognized as an adaptation of Stoker’s most famous novel.

Murnau’s film was a horror film, just like Stoker’s book. Dracula aka Count Orlok who is played by actor Max Schreck, is portrayed as creature like. He’s a tall, slim man, with a bald head, big eyes, fangs for teeth, and with long claw like hands. He buys a mountaintop castle from Thomas Hutter, another character depicted in later films, where when not resting in his coffin, terrorizes the local town to feed his obsession for blood.

The film, which was low budget, was considered a box office failure upon its release. Not having permission from the Stoker family affected it greatly. Legal challenges led to a court order to stop showings and distributions, and for all copies of the film to be destroyed. It was however too late. Copies remained, and the film became a cult classic, and spawned the never-ending flow of films that continue to this very day.

Mason Blocksage of Beaumont, CA is a big fan of the genre. Although visiting Riverside to see a different film, he plans to see “Sinners” once it is released. He is, however, more into the dramatic type of vampire films. Those that mix in the stereotypical characteristics with real life scenarios.

“My favorite vampire character is Edward Cullen,” says Blocksage, referencing one of the title characters introduced in the 2008 film “Twilight.” It was a box office success that would go on to have 4 sequels known as the Twilight Saga. The film series followed the teenage appearing Cullen family and their struggles to live as vampires in a small Washington state town.

“I like the vibe of the Twilight movies,” added Blocksage. “Even today they are great to sit back and binge watch on a cloudy day.” 

The past one hundred or so years have seen all kinds of vampire films get released. After “Nosferatu” Hollywood came on board and released “Dracula” in 1931. It starred well known horror film actor Bela Lugosi as the title character, and unlike its predecessor was a box office success that spawned several sequels. In 1958, British director Terence Fisher, released his own “Dracula” film starring the acclaimed Christoper Lee. It too was well received and was followed up with a run of sequels with Lee returning in the title role.  

Moviegoers of today are quick to name a wide variety of vampire films as the one that inspired their attraction to the creatures of the night. The year 1979 saw the release of “Love at First Bite” which put a romantic comedy spin to the blood lust. 1987’s “The Monster Squad” brought forth a youthful pre-teen look that revived the Van Helsing character. That same year “The Lost Boys” was also released. In keeping with a youthful aspect, it told a vampire story through the eyes of teenage kids who terrorized a small suburban California town.

Even the superhero themed Marvel Universe jumped on the vampire bandwagon. After introducing its character Blade as a supporting character in July of 1973, his popularity generated his own series, and later in a film with a 1988 release title simply as “Blade.” Their spin took the genre to another level. Blade, unlike the typical vampire, was a half-breed, having the same powers of a typical vampire, but able to withstand sunlight like humans. In sticking with the superhero aspect, he fought for and alongside humans to protect them from all the full-blooded vampires. His weakness, however, was his ever-present need for blood to survive.   

Grammy award-winning Hip-Hop producer Tim Middleton, of Los Angeles, CA, plans to see Sinners once it is released.

“I don’t know much about it or any details of the genre, but I saw the trailer for it,” says Middleton, who was in Riverside to visit family in the area.

“I’m a fan of the lead actor, Michael B. Jordan, and him being the star sparked my interest for the movie. I’ve seen almost every movie he’s starred in.”

Regardless of whether you are an old school fan, a dedicated or casual one, or even unfamiliar with the genre, the allure of a vampire flick is still alive. With Hollywood still putting millions of dollars into new films that showcase the pale-skinned, nocturnal, forever living beings and their quest for blood, new followers and old followers alike will continue to fill theater seats.