SiftPop

by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer

There are instances when a novel is turned into a movie, but the movie is so different that you can’t help but think they’re two completely different entities. For instance, Stephen King didn’t hold back in saying he hated the film adaptation of The Shining, even though he thought Stanley Kubrick made a memorable movie. Personally, The Giver was such a bad movie that it made me sad. It’s one of my favorite books, and for them to make such a poor adaptation was laughable. AMC now has a TV show based on a novel that was made into a questionable movie before.

Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire,created by Rolin Jones and based on the novel by Rice, is about the life of Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson). He is a vampire from 1910s New Orleans, and the companion of the vampire who made him, LeStat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid). They live their life in New Orleans through personal hardships from the outside world and one another. A novelist named Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) interviews Louis about his life in hopes that his story will be a cautionary tale about being immortal.

Lots of trigger warnings for this series, with two main trigger points. The first is, this show is extremely violent and gory. It is about vampires, so that’s to be expected. However, for a show that is on cable, I’m a little surprised at how violent it is. The second is, this show deals with issues of domestic violence. The relationship between Louis and LeStat is riddled with a lot of issues, but some moments cross the line into domestic violence. If either of these is triggering for you, think twice before embarking on this journey.

This will also serve as a fair warning that although I have seen the movie, I will do my best not to compare the two. I haven’t read the novel, so I have no reference, but the movie is completely different from what I’ve read. The companionship of Louis and LeStat is completely toned down, whereas the show completely embraces it. This difference is big deal, as it shows not only that representation matters, but also that it stays true to the spirit of the novel.

Upon watching the first few episodes, I’m floored by how gorgeous this show is. Between the set design and the costumes, Interview with the Vampire is beautifully made. The care it took to make the series from a creative side is evident. As the show progresses through time, the set pieces and the costumes shift to fit with the period. Props go to these departments because of the hard work they did in order to make sure the costumes and sets pop throughout the course of the season.

The story is a sprawling tale. It spans a very long time, starting with the 1910s and going all the way to COVID-19 pandemic. This is a story about desire, the perception of love, and what it means to live forever. Above anything else, Interview with the Vampire is about relationships. Interview with the Vampire goes to great lengths to talk about how toxic relationships are complicated, because love makes people do crazy things. Louis and LeStat have the perception of being a healthy couple, but when the doors are closed, we see the LeStat being manipulative, controlling, and pushing his own agenda forward. Their desire for one another causes problems, and once those problems do not get resolved, resentment starts to build up. Louis is often portrayed as a victim of his circumstance, but he is driven to LeStat. They are not a great match for one another. The idea of domestic violence does come up between them, where Louis feels trapped and doesn’t feel like there are any options to help his situation. He, in essence, sold his soul for immortality with LeStat, but didn’t realize what it would cost.

This also feels like a history lesson about racism and homophobia. LeStat and Louis are semi-open about their relationship, but are met with resentment. It’s not only because they are lovers in the eyes of the citizens of New Orleans — they are also met with disdain because Louis is Black. We see this numerous times with the way many of the white citizens treat them together and separately. It’s hard to watch, because Louis talks about how modern day isn’t that much different from 1910s south. People were just more straightforward with you, instead of hiding behind the internet. It’s a sad lesson, but one that is really telling.

The performances across the board are all really strong, starting with Anderson and Reid, who are outstanding in their roles. I want to give special credence to Anderson, though. I only knew him as Grey Worm from Game of Thrones. I didn’t think he had this in him. He has a tremendous amount of range, as I bought when he was angry and when he was sad. We see his struggle, as he is the one talking to the interviewer, Molloy (Eric Bogosian). Molloy isn’t afraid to call Louis out for his issues involving his relationship with LeStat. Reid is transcendent as LeStat, as he is so charismatic to seduce everyone he comes across. He is a killer through and through, literally as a vampire and metaphorically as someone who kills people’s spirit.

Two supporting cast members deserve some praise: Molloy is a fascinating character to get to know, as he is interviewing Louis for a story. Their relationship is complicated (as with most people in the series), but Molloy is one of the only honest people in series. This is a much-needed dynamic for Louis, as nobody really calls him out. Bogosian plays the role with poise, and he’s not afraid to get in Louis’ face even if he knows he’s a vampire. The other role that deserves praise is Claudia (Bailey Bass), who serves as a child figure for LeStat and Louis. She was created as a way for them to have something together. Claudia, though, is a complicated character, as she looks like a child, but matures mentally over the years. She struggles with this, as she can’t really find someone to love because of how she looks. Louis deeply cares for her, but LeStat tolerates her. Bass is a great balance for Reid and Anderson, and I’m hoping this becomes a star-making role for her.

Interview with the Vampire is an epic tale of desire and what it means to live forever. The final episode of the season sets the stage for a complicated Season Two (or Part Two as it is referred to at the end of the finale). It’s not perfect, as at times it does feel a little slow and there feels like filler at times. The series is a dynamic look at a couple who struggle to maintain their life to one another. I enjoyed the series way more than the movie, and I’m looking forward to its next phase.

Score: 8/10

Interview with the Vampire is currently streaming on AMC+

---

You can follow Mike Hilty on Twitter, Letterboxd, and Serializd