TV Review: Interview with the Vampire

Hello!

For today’s post, I have a TV series review to share with you all!

AMC’s Interview with the Vampire is the most recent adaptation of Anne Rice’s most famous work. I did a ‘first impressions’ post back when the series was just starting out. Therefore, seeing as the finale was last Sunday, I wanted to write a full review to share my final thoughts!

The year is 2022 and the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac once again seeks out the journalist Daniel Molloy to recount his life story.

To start, the visuals of the series are stunning. 1900s New Orleans is brought to life with gorgeous sets and costumes, making for the perfect gothic ambiance. The vampires were clad in the most beautiful pieces. The cinematography is simply to die for, with shots that take your breath away. There’s a particular shot toward the end of episode five that had me looking at my screen in pure amazement. They truly went all the way.

On to the characters! Honestly, was there any performance in this series I did not love?

I adored Louis in this adaptation. I enjoyed the changes they made to his character, which I think make him more complex and intriguing to viewers. The actor, Jacob Anderson, is perfection and brings so much to the character. Through his performance, we see how Louis grapples with his identity and the inevitable choice he has to make. Whether it was Louis in the 1900s or Louis in present-day Dubai recounting his experiences, Anderson delivered a captivating character portrayal.

Ah, Lestat. He was downright messy in this! The series showed us all the good and bad of Lestat. Bloodthirsty, hilariously fun, alluring, and… absolutely terrifying. At times we love him and other times we utterly despise him. So much so that by the end, I totally understood why that ending was a must. Sam Reid was flawless in this role, embodying all of Lestat’s complexities marvelously. This was my first time seeing him in a role and I have definitely been made a fan.

Claudia! Bailey Bass nailed this role! I honestly can’t pick a favorite out of the three but she’s a close one. Reflecting the characterization in the novel, Claudia is intelligent and oh-so dangerous. I appreciate that we got to see her own perspective this time around through her diaries. We watch her grow into a badass vampire and I was rooting for her the entire time.

Above all, what I thought was so fantastic about the actors’ performances was their chemistry. With a story that is so much about the characters’ dynamics, a strong chemistry between the three leads was crucial. And it is exquisite. Anderson and Reid’s fiery chemistry is excellent as they portray Loustat’s tragic romance. Claudia and Louis’ unconditional love and care for one another had me reaching for the tissues. And you can feel the growing distaste between Claudia and Lestat in every scene they share. Put the three of them together and it’s magic.

Essentially, there was not one moment in which I doubted that these actors were their characters.

On to some final points! Overall, I think the changes made to the story were smart. Considering that this series takes into account the full Vampire Chronicles and is more of a modern adaptation, the changes felt right. Maybe my favorite change is how they aged up Molloy’s character, the journalist interviewing Louis. He’s so much more fun now! Seeing him oppose Louis as someone who has made peace with his mortality was a true highlight for me.

Additionally, I thought the pacing was well-done. I enjoyed both the present-day scenes and the flashbacks. Nothing felt too rushed and I was never bored or forcing myself to push through. And the suspense was masterfully kept all throughout.

And that ending?! Now that’s a finale.

All in all, I found Interview with the Vampire to be absolute perfection. I have no bad critiques. This was a joy to watch. I’m more than thrilled that we now have another superb adaptation of this iconic story. If you’re a fan of vampires, horror, or Rice’s work, I highly, highly recommend it!