Carmilla

A cinematic rendering of Sheridan Le Fanu's 1871 Gothic vampire novella.

As vampire movies go, "Carmilla" lacks a bit of bite and is surprisingly bloodless. This is probably due to the filmmakers staying true to the source material, as much of the vampire lore post-dates it. The production is moody and gothic thanks to candle-lit rooms, ominous background thunder, and eerie winds. While there are many slow lingering shots that build with breathy anticipation, the sapphic attraction is more hinted than realised, and the subsequent judgment is unequivocally and coldly harsh. Hearts at stake.

Limited Release 13th May 2021
Icon Films 94 mins