Luc Besson, the visionary director of The Fifth Element and Léon: The Professional, has reimagined the world’s most famous vampire. Dracula: A Love Tale is not your typical horror film. Instead, it is an epic, centuries-spanning gothic romance. Therefore, this ambitious project marks Besson’s return to big-budget filmmaking after his acclaimed 2023 film Dogman .
With a star-studded cast led by Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz, this retelling focuses on the tragic love story that turned a prince into a monster. As a result, the film has generated significant buzz since its July 2025 release in France .
What Is Dracula: A Love Tale About?
The film begins in 15th-century Wallachia. Prince Vladimir (Caleb Landry Jones), a fearless warrior, is deeply in love with his wife, Elisabeta (Zoë Bleu). However, Ottoman soldiers tragically kill her during an invasion. Consumed by grief, Vladimir renounces God. In a shocking act, he murders a high clergyman, which curses him with eternal life as a vampire .
For 400 years, Vlad wanders the world as Count Dracula, sustained only by the hope of finding Elisabeta’s reincarnation. A female vampire named Maria (Matilda De Angelis) aids him in his search. The story then shifts to 19th-century London, where Vlad encounters a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his lost love. This discovery sparks a dangerous obsession with potentially devastating consequences .
The official synopsis states that Dracula is “condemned to wander through the centuries, he has only one hope: that of finding his lost love” . This focus on eternal longing distinguishes Besson’s adaptation from traditional vampire horror.
The Star-Studded Cast
Luc Besson has assembled an impressive international cast for this epic production.
- Caleb Landry Jones stars as Prince Vladimir / Count Dracula. Jones won the Best Actor award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival for his role in Nitram. He previously worked with Besson on Dogman .
- Christoph Waltz, the two-time Oscar winner for Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained, plays a key role .
- Zoë Bleu portrays Elisabeta, Dracula’s lost love. She is known for her role in Gonzo Girl .
- Matilda De Angelis plays Maria, a female vampire who helps Dracula in his centuries-long search. She starred in the acclaimed series The Law According to Lidia Poët .
- Ewens Abid, known for his role in the Star Wars series Andor, also joins the cast .
Like Avicii brought together musical talents, Besson has brought together an extraordinary ensemble of acting talent.
The Director’s Vision: Why a Love Story?
Interestingly, Luc Besson has admitted he does not have a particular fascination with the Dracula character. Instead, his primary motivation was to work again with Caleb Landry Jones. After the success of Dogman, Besson wanted to create a project that would showcase Jones’s unique talent. He chose the Dracula myth as the vehicle because of its epic scale and romantic potential .
This approach explains why the film leans heavily into gothic romance rather than pure horror. The result is a visually striking, emotionally driven story about love, loss and the desperate hope for reunion across lifetimes .
Production and Filming Locations
Production for Dracula: A Love Tale began in March 2024. Besson chose the northern regions of Finland for much of the filming. The snowy, otherworldly landscapes of Lapland provided the perfect atmospheric backdrop for the gothic tale. The production used these locations to create a visually stunning world of eternal winter, which complements the story’s themes of death and undying love .
Filming continued through spring and summer 2024. The production moved from the harsh Finnish winter to other European locations to complete the historical and 19th-century sequences. Besson described the project as featuring “some epic and potentially spectacular set pieces” .
Release Dates and Distribution
Dracula: A Love Tale had its premiere in France on July 30, 2025, distributed by SND and produced by TF1 and Besson’s own EuropaCorp. The film runs for 129 minutes (2 hours and 9 minutes) and carries a +16 age rating in France .
For a long time, securing North American distribution proved challenging. However, in September 2025, Vertical Entertainment stepped in to acquire the US rights. They planned a wide theatrical rollout for the first quarter of 2026. Signature Entertainment also acquired the UK and Irish rights around the same time. The film began its international rollout in Brazil, Ukraine, Uruguay and Malaysia in August 2025 .
The Australian release is scheduled for October 2025 as part of the Monster Festival at selected cinemas .
Critical Reception and Box Office
Early reviews from European critics have been mixed but generally positive. The performances, particularly Caleb Landry Jones’s portrayal of the tormented prince, have received praise. Critics have also highlighted the film’s stunning visuals and Besson’s signature stylistic flair. Some reviewers noted that the romantic focus might disappoint horror fans expecting a more traditional vampire thriller. However, those who appreciate gothic romance found the approach refreshing and emotionally resonant .
Box office performance in France was modest but respectable for a non-franchise epic. The film’s success in other territories will depend on word of mouth and the appeal of its star-studded cast .
How Dracula: A Love Tale Differs from Other Adaptations
There have been countless Dracula adaptations over the years. Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 Bram Stoker’s Dracula also focused on the romantic angle, with Gary Oldman’s count fighting for love across centuries. However, Besson’s film places even greater emphasis on the origin story and the prince’s tragic fall from grace.
Unlike many adaptations, this film spends significant time in 15th-century Wallachia. It establishes Vladimir as a heroic figure before his transformation. This approach makes his later actions as Dracula more tragic and sympathetic. The film also explores his 400-year search for Elisabeta’s reincarnation in greater depth than most versions .
Like Andoni Iraola brought a fresh tactical approach to Bournemouth, Besson brings a fresh romantic approach to the Dracula myth.
Where to Watch Dracula: A Love Tale
As of 2026, the film is in the midst of its international rollout. US audiences can expect a wide theatrical release in early 2026 through Vertical Entertainment. UK audiences will see the film through Signature Entertainment. The film is also available in select European and Asian markets .
For the most up-to-date release information in your region, check local cinema listings. Streaming dates have not yet been announced.
FAQs
Who directed Dracula: A Love Tale?
The film was written and directed by Luc Besson, the acclaimed director of The Fifth Element, Léon: The Professional and Lucy.
Who plays Dracula in the film?
Caleb Landry Jones stars as Prince Vladimir / Count Dracula. He previously worked with Besson on Dogman.
Is this a horror movie or a romance?
The film leans heavily into gothic romance. Besson has described it as a love story about a man searching for his lost love across centuries.
When was Dracula: A Love Tale released?
The film premiered in France on July 30, 2025. It will have a wide US release in early 2026 through Vertical Entertainment.
How long is the movie?
The film runs for 2 hours and 9 minutes (129 minutes).
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