Movies

New R-Rated Vampire Horror About Dracula's Daughter Bests Its 1936 Predecessor

New R-Rated Vampire Horror About Dracula's Daughter Bests Its 1936 Predecessor
Image credit: Universal Pictures

And it looks like it has some teeth to show.

One should never bury the era of vampire movies popularity, and the recent trend proves it: we have a horror Renaissance on our hands, we have a Twilight reboot, and we have a bunch of new bloodsuckers-related projects that are ready to prove they're just as worthy as their ancestors.

Some such projects are very much inspired by their ancestors, in fact. This works for the newest vampire horror that is currently hissing in theaters — Abigail, the movie about the daughter of Count Dracula himself.

Abigail Has 88-Year-Old Shoes to Fill

The newest vampire horror with an R rating (which is already intriguing for all genre fans) is actually based on a classic 1936 movie titled Dracula's Daughter. The old gem focuses on Countess Marya Zaleska, who is, you guessed it, the daughter of the world's most famous vampire.

New R-Rated Vampire Horror About Dracula's Daughter Bests Its 1936 Predecessor - image 1

The said vampire, however, was killed by Van Helsing, and Marya now has to choose between embracing her vampiric self or struggle with her disease and seek help. She picks the second option; however, when she turns to psychiatrist Dr. Garth for assistance, she has to go full Edward Cullen mode and restrain herself from the desire to turn him into a vampire as well.

The 1936 movie wasn't really a huge success — on Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a modest score of 64% from critics and 43% from viewers. But how is Abigail doing?

Is Abigail a Remake of Dracula's Daughter?

New R-Rated Vampire Horror About Dracula's Daughter Bests Its 1936 Predecessor - image 2

The 2024 horror flick also centers on the daughter of Dracula, but this one isn't so benevolent. To be fair, the world isn't particularly kind to her: she, a 12-year-old ballerina, gets kidnapped, and her kidnappers want $50 million from her father.

What the kidnappers don't know is that daddy's girl is an actual vampire herself, ready to show her teeth to fight for her freedom on her own, thank you very much.

Abigail is yet to hit theaters, with Variety reporting that it aims to collect "$12 million to $15 million from 3,300 North American theaters in its first weekend of release." The movie had its world premiere on April 7 at the Overlook Film Festival, and so far, Abigail has an impressive 84% on Tomatometer — already more than its 1936 predecessor.

When Does Abigail Premiere in Theaters?

Dracula's daughter will suck her teeth into what's hers starting April 19.

Source: Variety