This is basically a superior adaptation of the novel Dracula. (Yes I know the history of why that is.)
One reading of this is that it is about recovery from sexual abuse trauma and ptsd. Orlok is one hell of a groomer. Ellen literally ends the power of abuse by sacrificially bringing it into the sunlight. Lots of interesting Eastern Orthodox imagery and ideas. Willem Dafoe is having a blast playing the best version of Van Hellsing put to screen.
Really fun, great performances. I get why this is such a beloved childhood classic. The songs all felt... Weirdly mediocre for the same IP that gave us Rainbow Connection
Monroe's performance is amazing. The script is really clever and earns a lot of laughs (the last line SLAYS).
But this was made in the 50s and it shows. The camera lingers on bodies in unfortunate ways, sexual harassment is basically standardized, and I'm pretty sure the main character ends up being a rapist, technically?? All of which ends up being pretty distracting from what is otherwise a great fun time.
They pull the PotC trilogy trick, but wow did it ever feel earned. Gorgeous eye candy, amazing character work, yada yada you can read all the other reviews
