Vampire

This slow, bizarre film tells the story of a semi-benevolent Vampire who trolls suicide pact websites looking for vulnerable souls who he can convince to consensually bleed themselves to death- so that he can feed on their blood. He's not one of those typical mythological vampire types- the ones we are all familiar with. Rather, a daywalking human Vampire that seems to possess an inescapable and insatiable desire to drink human blood.

By day, he's a highschool biology teacher that watches over his Alzheimers ridden mother. By night, he associates with an online community of suicidal wannabes, and the other twisted f*cks that are attracted to such people- like moths to a light.

He normally operates by forming a relationship with one of the "Side by Cide" members, who he then meets in an isolated location- with their computer (to prevent the police from obtaining evidence of their correspondence)- before using his cunning to convince them to bleed themselves dry- while assuring them that he'll take himself out when it's all over. Though, actually collecting and consuming their blood, instead.

Things take a turn, when he goes to meet a potential suicidee...only to find out that she had arranged a group suicide with a bunch of other members from the site. All but he and one other girl are killed when one of the suicidees releases a cloud of carbon monoxide inside their van.

The two survivors make their way back to civilization. But on the way...the girl figures out that he is the infamous "Vampire", who has been seducing, killing and consuming the blood of the site's disappearing members. He's kind of famous in their realm.

When confronted with his real identity, he admits everything to her. Only to discover that she is willing to offer her blood- her life- to him.

While working on the girl he met at the group suicide, his psycho stalker wannabe-girlfriend breaks into his apartment and onto his computer- looking for some sort of evidence that he's found someone else. While rummaging through his apartment, she jimmies open a locked closet, where she (apparently) discovers his hidden secret.

He doesn't even kill the girl from the group either, having fallen seemingly in love with her- rendering him unable to go through with it. The two form a new pact with each other: he is to cease killing if she let's him drink from her neck- being his "only one".

In an ironic twist of fate, though, one of his student's with suicidal tendencies- whom he had previously talked out of killing herself- slits her wrists and winds up in the hospital, needing blood. When he is contacted as next of kin, the nurse asks him if he is willing to donate his own blood in order to save her life.

You'd think that this altruistic act would have garnered him some good karma, but when he returns to his flat, the police are waiting for him... I do, however, suppose that you might wonder whether it was this act of benevolence that actually sealed his fate.

With this film Iwai has created a monster that is not merely a heartless and manipulative, psychopathic killer, rather a burdened and tormented soul who is forced to cope with the fate he's been dealt. It's not your typical horror scenario, by any means. It's less a film that exploits the romantic gore on which most cliché vampire films are based. Instead opting for more of an emotionally disturbing approach. The ending is kind of a cop-out, but the film is oddly intriguing enough to hold your attention throughout it's almost two-hour runtime. It's certainly not the best vampire flick I've ever seen, but it's most definitely a different and original take on the genre. And for that reason it's worth a watch.

6 out 10.

To those that enjoy the Dracula vampire movies, don't bother with this one. This is not a fantasy. This is a true modern day sanguinarian vampire drama that is very enjoyable and very believable. While some may consider if bordering on horror, only due to a second vampire within the story, it is a well written and portrayed drama of true vampirism, where people truly are addicted to drinking human blood of others. Most will enjoy this as it fails to be as predictable as it first appears, and everyday life drama is well portrayed. It is disappointing that that many gave this a low rating, most likely as they simply wanted to see the typical fantasy vampire horror movie. This isn't it - this movie is real life, and truly could be based on a true story.

Let me begin this very short rating opinion by saying I own of all of Shunji Iwai's movies on DVD and am a fan of his work; however, I found Vampire to be a failed experiment-collaboration with American actors. For me, this movie was a chore to watch as it was painfully tedious, dreary, soulless, and at times disturbing. Simon, the main character, was very unlikable and the only reason I forced myself to finish this movie was because I hope to see justice bestowed for his unconscionable acts. Personally, I am happy Yû Aoi only made a brief appearance because because her talent could not redeem Vampire. Like all of my favorite movies, I regularly revisit "All About Lily Chou-Chou"; "Vampire" I wish to forget.

Sure feels like Vancouver, BC during the dreary days, which creates the appropriate mood for the flick. Its title unfortunately associates it with some real stinkers. It is not one of those. I don't know where the movie fits, but it leaves a significant after-taste. I use these user reviews to help decide whether or not I will watch the movie. If you do too, then it's a watcher, but strangely so. It feels Canadian, as in raw and hand-held sort of. Acting is solid, and the story keeps your attention. Vampire, no. Sanguine something, perhaps. It should not be castigated just because it is not polished to the extreme, and all tricked out with CGI.

I'm always interested in vampire films that are original and stay true to the complexity of a blood sucker surviving in the modern world and yet is able to refrain from being whatever Twilight was all about. 'Vampire' is definitely an interesting take on the genre, which focuses on a young science teacher who preys on girls looking to commit suicide. The most interesting thing about this film is how the vampire himself seems to be surrounded by crazy people and I'm not talking about his victims. The sane characters are the depressed people looking for death and the other characters all seem to have personality disorders or are psychopaths, which then makes the lead seem that much more of a nice guy. The film starts out really interesting and has a very cool cast of actors that are well known in connection to the horror genre, but the film begins to fizzle out when it goes from drama to art-house drama about halfway through. Then, the film continually drags with scenes that are unnecessarily too long to be entertaining. The weirdest part is the long list of Horror veterans with crazy small parts throughout the film that go nowhere. Kind of a huge disappointment, but Vampire doesn't deliver the horror as much as it smothers you with drama.

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