With all the excitement surrounding the premiere of Abigail this week, I thought it would be a great time to revisit the vampire genre. Specifically, child vampires in horror films. As soon as I saw the movie poster, I was excited. And the first thing that came to mind was Livid (Livide) 2011, the French fantasy horror. Obviously, Abigail, the ballerina vampire reminded me of Anna Jessel, the murderous vampire ballerina locked away in the desolate Jessel mansion. Much like Lucie (Chloé Coulloud), Melissa Barrera and company get more than they bargained for when they come in contact with the bloodthirsty ballerina. Vampire kids are scary.
I know who most people will picture when thinking of immortal children. I can read your mind. She’s iconic. She’s the forever child of daddies Lestat and Louie. Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) was the most sympathetic character in Interview with the Vampire (1994). Her story is terribly sad and brought to light so many questions surrounding the making of vampire children. I am actually heading to the theater to catch this on a big screen for the first time since I was a teenager. But guess what? I couldn’t find it on any of my subscription streaming services. It’s currently only available to rent or buy. And that is why physical media is so important! But I digress, I think I’ll start by queueing up what I can find available to stream.
Mama’s Boy
First up, head on over to Hulu or Disney+ for a more recent tale of the vampire child in Blood (2023). I’ll admit I hit play with a quickness that gave me a little whiplash after seeing that Billy, I mean, Skeet Ulrich had a role. But it’s Michelle Monaghan who has to mother the vampire child. Owen is changing and how far will his mother go to keep him alive? Read more here.
Family sucks
It sucks to be a teenager but it’s worse being a teenage vampire. Written, directed, and starring Noah Segan, Blood Relatives follows the loner vampire whose perfectly, low-profile life is upended when he meets the daughter (Victoria Moroles) he didn’t know existed. The new father/daughter duo hit the road for a little bonding time while deciding what to do about the teen vampire’s future. Vaguely reminiscent of Blood & Donuts, I like the dark humor, the supporting cast, and the vampire family bonding road trip is uniquely interesting. Available on Shudder.
A 1987 double-feature
The Lost Boys has it all. Sexy sax playing, gorgeous hair, glittery blood, gay romance, the Coreys, a killer soundtrack, and a little kid half-vampire. Laddie was more than just a boy on the back of a milk carton. Created perhaps as a child for Star to mother, he was kept in line because he had yet to make his own kill. He was strangely accepted by the vampire family but sadly, he had been taken from his own. He did look pretty fierce when he fully vamped out but was ultimately saved. Available on amc+.
Near Dark is a classic and I’m partial to it because of the repeat cast from Aliens (1986). A naive farmer’s son unwittingly joins a traveling group of vampires after charming a beautiful drifter. Some liked the young romance and sweet Caleb’s family. I preferred the vampire family with their creepy forever child, Homer. Using a kid vampire to lure a child away from their family? That’s some sick stuff. Available on The Criterion Channel.
We can’t be friends
I recall stumbling upon Let the Right One In (2008) and thinking I had made the discovery of the decade. The Swedish adaptation of the novel of the same name cemented itself as one of the best of the vampire genre. For the record, skip the book; I was traumatized. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Eli and Oskar. It had me feeling all the feels. And that pool scene is spectacular! Available on Peacock, Plex, Pluto, and Hoopla.
Shout out to the newest vampire kid, Abigail, for inspiring this list.
Abigail leaps into theaters this Friday. Check out the trailer here.
