BBC’s Dracula review: Carnage and comedy collide in triumphant blood-drenched premiere
DRACULA kicked off with gore aplenty on BBC One last night.
The adaptation of the classic Bram Stoker tale proved that everyone’s favourite blood-sucking count still resonates with horror aficionados, with a few modern twists keeping the action on the pulse, pun intended.
The opening episode saw Jonathan Harker (John Hefferman) lured to Dracula (Claes Bang’s) castle under the pretence of legal work, only to become trapped and drained of his blood.
The dynamic between the two as predator and prey proved to be compelling, with Jonathan’s increasingly desperate attempts at escape seeming all the more misguided against Dracula’s cool, and eerily charming demeanour.
Hefferman managed to add dimension to what could have otherwise been a feeble, flat character, becoming increasingly twisted by the dark influence of his host.
This was made all the more impactful by the timeline of the drama – with Jonathan being interviewed about his encounter while jumping in and out of flashbacks.
Jonathan’s self-doubt and memory loss are heart-breaking and terrifying in equal measure, as it becomes increasingly clear he remains shackled to Dracula as a result of his infection.
Credit must also be given to the visuals, which ensured his monstrous transformation carried real weight.
The sores littering Jonathan’s face, crumbling fingernails and sunken eyes provide a truly ghastly visage, a stark contrast to Dracula’s striking rejuvenation.
Meanwhile Bang successfully balances aloofness with carnality, with his stalking of Jonathan taking on a decidedly sexual edge.
Perhaps where the show succeeds the most is teaming classic horror elements with a decidedly modern sense of humour.
Dolly Wells’ Sister Agatha subverts every preconception one could have about nuns – bringing sass and a penchant for the supernatural to the table.
She provides comic relief throughout Jonathan’s harrowing personal account of his torment, while also proving her wit and mettle during a face-to-face showdown with Dracula.
Dracula himself also proves to be partial to a zingy one-liner, adding to the sense of campiness that keeps the show fun.
Meanwhile, Morfydd Clark’s Mina serves as far more than a conventional love interest to Jonathan.
First appearing in disguise, her connection to Jonathan proves to be ripe for exploitation and her downfall is full of humanity.
When it comes to gore the show doesn’t disappoint, with grisly beheadings, terrifying reanimated corpses and wolves tearing nuns apart all ensuring plenty of bloodshed.
These moments never feel gratuitous and shackle the action to a real sense of peril, while also giving gravity to Dracula’s deadly power.
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The show's cinematography also deserves a nod, with the bleak, Gothic locations heightening the sense of olde worlde drama.
All in all, BBC’s Dracula is proof that when it comes to honouring legendary fables, balancing a faithful retelling with daring to stray from the script is where the genius lies.
Now where did we put our wooden stakes…
Dracula continues tonight on BBC One at 9pm.