“Dracula Untold,” starring Luke Evans, has entered the most-watched list of movies on Netflix worldwide, according to FlixPatrol (as of June 19). The specialized website reports that the film currently holds the Top 5 spot, just behind “Under Paris,” “Ultraman: Rising,” “Four Brothers” and “Get Out.”
Directed by Gary Shore in his feature film debut, this 2014 dark fantasy action reimagines the origin story of one of fiction’s most iconic characters: Dracula. In that sense, the movie explores the human past of the notorious vampire.
Evans stars as Vlad III Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler, who then becomes Dracula. The cast is completed by Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Charles Dance, and Art Parkinson. With the film triumphing on streaming, fans of the movie once again vindicate it from its mixed reception.
‘Dracula Untold,’ a different version of a classic tale
“Dracula Untold,” written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, presents Vlad as a heroic figure initially, ruling over Transylvania with justice and love for his family. However, his peaceful reign is threatened by the demands of Mehmed II, who seeks to conscript 1,000 boys, including Vlad’s son, into his army. Desperate to protect his people and family, Vlad seeks out the Master Vampire in the Broken Tooth Mountain, who grants him the power to defeat his enemies but curses him with an insatiable thirst for human blood.
As Vlad grapples with his new abilities, he must balance his humanity with his emerging monstrous nature. The film portrays his internal struggle and the ultimate sacrifice he makes to save his people, even if it means becoming a creature of legend and fear. Evans delivers a compelling performance, showcasing the character’s transformation from a noble ruler to a feared creature.
The film was produced by Michael De Luca and distributed by Universal Pictures, and it was supposed to be the starting point of a new monster’s universe but it never materialized. Especially due to the poor reception among critics, which gave it mixed reviews. While some praised the film’s visual effects, action sequences, and Evans’ performance, others criticized it for its predictable plot and lack of depth in character development.
Dominic Cooper in “Dracula Untold” (IMDb)
Despite the mixed critical reception, the film performed moderately well at the box office, grossing over $217 million worldwide against a budget of around $70 million. Proof that audiences appreciated the fresh take on Dracula’s origin story and the film’s attempt to humanize the legendary vampire.
