Directed by: Chris Schwab
Written by: Chris Schwab, Bram Stoker
Starring: Eric Toms, Raelan Mackiewicz, Brenton Jones, Spencer Weitzel
Film Review by: William Curzon
Dracula: The Night Around Us is a modern retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The narrative follows Dr. John Seward (Eric Toms) as he regains hope in humanity through a bond with his neighbour, Mina (Marlene Mc’Cohen), and her young daughter, Lucy (Raelan Mackiewicz). However, his regained faith is suddenly tarnished by an ancient evil.
Dracula: The Night Around Us is a unique retelling of a classic horror icon for many reasons. Writer/director Chris Schwab clearly understands the source material, and it shines through in every frame. The tone and imagery are undoubtedly the most impressive aspects of the experience. Schwab really captures the unsettling tone, as the film relies heavily on visual storytelling, with minimal exposition and characterisation. This is both a strength and a detriment to the experience. While the disturbing and intense tone is commendable, the lack of characterisation, particularly in the central character, can sometimes leave the audience isolated. Despite its prolonged runtime, the audience only learns about his occupation and the relationship that forms between him and Mina. While their relationship is at the heart of the narrative, it never fully explores their characterisation beyond the surface.
The narrative maintains a steady pace as it delves into the central conflict and the ramifications of an ancient evil systematically destroying the modern world. It also hints at intriguing themes of faith and religion through its striking visuals; however, it never fully explores them. One of the film’s most impressive aspects is its filmic aesthetic, which gives the audience a timeless presentation despite its modern setting. That said, the film suffers from a washed-out colour grade, which can be visually unappealing.
Chris Schwab, who also serves as the film’s cinematographer, does a terrific job framing each sequence. Most of the runtime consists of extreme close-ups during scenes of conflict, and this is an incredibly visceral choice as the camera never shies away from the brutality of the narrative. The shift to wide framing during the exterior sequences is also a memorable choice as the ancient evil lurks in the shadows. Sadly, many of the dialogue-heavy scenes are undermined by choppy editing choices and questionable shot composition, making it less engaging as a result. The original musical score, on the other hand, does much of the heavy lifting with its haunting and unsettling motifs.
The performances are largely underwhelming because the script doesn’t give the actors much to work with. Eric Toms’ portrayal of the central character, Dr. John Seward, is fine; he conveys the character in a far more subdued manner, making it more difficult to resonate with his struggles. The supporting players are largely forgettable, and the lack of chemistry between Eric Toms and Marlene Mc’Cohen as Mina is incredibly unfortunate. While their relationship is endearing, the lack of character development holds it back from being truly compelling to witness.
While the film suffers from a litany of issues, its final third is satisfying, thanks to its heavy reliance on striking imagery and an incredibly haunting conclusion. Despite taking a while to find its footing, the third act feels earned and captures the essence of the source material.
Dracula: The Night Around Us is a solid retelling of the source material thanks to the writer/directors extensive knowledge of the IP. The film boasts profoundly unsettling imagery and captures the tone of the source material while offering a fittingly modern reinterpretation.
Dracula: The Night Around Us will have its UK Premiere at Tube FrightFest on 30th August