Bram Stoker's Dracula's Curse
A 2005 Asylum horror film featuring a vampire countess.
Bram Stoker's Dracula's Curse, often shortened to Dracula's Curse, is a 2005 horror movie from The Asylum. Leigh Scott both wrote and directed it. The title includes Bram Stoker's name, but the film does not adapt any of his work or serve as a mockbuster for the 1992 film *Bram Stoker's Dracula*. Instead, it takes cues from movies like *Blade: Trinity*, *Dracula 2000*, *Underworld: Evolution*, and *Van Helsing*, and also echoes the 1971 Hammer horror film *Countess Dracula*, which similarly features a vampiric femme fatale as its lead.
The story unfolds in a modern, unnamed city, likely New York City. Rufus King (Thomas Downey) and Jacob Van Helsing (Rhett Giles) notice a pattern of attacks on young teenagers at night. Van Helsing deduces that vampires are responsible, led by the foreign seductress Countess Elizabeth Bathory (Christina Rosenberg). She aims to expand her vampire clan, feed on humans, and eventually control the city while gaining the power of "the Master." King and Van Helsing hunt and destroy the vampires one by one, culminating in a final confrontation with the Countess to stop her from unleashing Dracula's curse on humanity.
Critical response to the film has been mixed to positive. Scott Foy of Dread Central noted it isn't a bad movie, comparing it to *Vampire: The Masquerade* or the TV series *Kindred: The Embraced*, though he added that patience is required. Patrick Luce of Monsters and Critics acknowledged stiff acting and lacking special effects, but praised the abundance of gunfights, sword fights, and vampire action as a fun, popcorn-style ride. Trash City's review found it entertaining for fans of *Hellsing* or *Ultraviolet*, but less recommended for those who prefer fast-paced Hollywood vampire cinema.
The cast includes Thomas Downey, Eliza Swenson, Rhett Giles, Christina Rosenberg, Jeff Denton, Amanda E. Barton, Tom Nagel, Rebekah Kochan, Sarah Hall, Derek Osedach, Chriss Anglin, Sarah Lieving, Griff Furst, Justin L. Jones, Marie Westbrook, Marat Glazer, Vaz Andreas, Jennifer Lee Wiggins, Vanessa Rooke, Noel Thurman, Erica Roby, David Schick, Leigh Scott, Mia Moretti, Joanna Houghton, Ella Holden, Troy Thomas, Ruffy Landayan, Monique La Barr, Katayoun Dara, Kat Ochsner, and Crystal Napoles.
- Release year
- 2005
- Production company
- The Asylum
- Director and writer
- Leigh Scott
- Genre
- Horror
- Lead actress
- Christina Rosenberg as Countess Elizabeth Bathory
- Lead actors
- Thomas Downey as Rufus King, Rhett Giles as Jacob Van Helsing
Lore & Background
The film is set in an unidentified city, presumably New York City, in the modern day. It follows Rufus King (Thomas Downey) and Jacob Van Helsing (Rhett Giles), who investigate attacks on young teenagers at night. Van Helsing identifies the attackers as a group of vampires led by a foreign seductress, Countess Elizabeth Bathory (Christina Rosenberg). Bathory aims to feed her growing vampire clan, seize control of the city, and gain the powers of 'the Master.' Van Helsing and King hunt down the vampires one by one, eventually confronting the Countess to stop her from allowing Dracula's curse to consume the human race.
Reader's Guide
Critical reaction to Dracula's Curse has been mixed to positive. Scott Foy of Dread Central noted that the film is not bad and recommended it for fans of Vampire: The Masquerade or Kindred: The Embraced, though requiring patience. Patrick Luce of Monsters and Critics acknowledged stiff acting and lacking special effects but praised the film as a fun 'popcorn' rollercoaster with gun fights, sword fights, and vampire action. Trash City's review compared it favorably to Hellsing and Ultraviolet, while noting it falls short of perfection and is less recommended for fans of fast-paced Hollywood vampire cinema. Horror DNA called it 'the best movie The Asylum has to offer' and a perfect starting point for exploring low-budget films. The film features a large cast including Eliza Swenson, Jeff Denton, and others.
Did You Know?
- The film is not directly based on any of Bram Stoker's writings.
- It shares similarities with the 1971 Hammer horror film *Countess Dracula*.
- The character of the Countess is based on the historical figure Elizabeth Bathory, a Hungarian noblewoman accused of serial murder.
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