IWTV 1994 MOVIE REACTION
Added 2024-12-05 04:35:19 +0000 UTC
Comments
Two hours with a movie vs hour after hour after hour with a series.
Richard
2025-08-29 06:21:26 +0000 UTCthe whole slave owner story arc, regardless of him being a "good master 🙄", is something I'm so happy the show revamped (no pun intended)
anna w
2025-02-10 22:34:06 +0000 UTC"On the other hand, the series deviates from the book in ways I freaking love!" This is it.
Glamazon 617
2024-12-23 17:34:35 +0000 UTCAs a teenager, I loved this film. My best friend had the VHS and we watched it over and over again, mainly for Lestat and Claudia and the costumes, because we thought Louis was the worst. I still think that Kirsten Dunst is amazing and Tom Cruise (for all he's gone off the deep end irl) puts a lot of verve into a much shallower version of Lestat... but as an adult I'm very much with you on it feeling rushed. And while the rushed story is a big part of it, I don't enjoy Brad Pitt or Antonio Banderas' performances at all (though Antonio Banderas has the excuse that he didn't yet speak English very well and had to learn his lines phonetically). Claudia definitely saves the whole film! I wouldn't say I prefer the movie version, because I adore show-Claudia, but her age changes her story so much that I can appreciate it as an entirely different thing. She's so helpless, even more disconnected from humanity with so few memories of it, with even more to resent Louis and Lestat for. She's even forced to purposely seek a companion who will infantilize her forever as a replacement for her dead daughter (just like Louis in the tv show worries Claudia is a replacement for Madeleine's dead sister) because that is her only real option! But mostly I agree that once you've seen the TV show, it's hard to go back to the film. And not just because Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid and every other actor blow the movie performances out the water. The tv show has more time with the characters, and it uses it so so well. As many people in the comments have said, the film is based only on the first book, and though it's edited for length and 90s sensibilities, it's reasonably accurate to the novel. In the tv show world it would be the equivalent of Daniel writing a book based on the first interview he did with Louis in the 70s. But even though it's accurate to its source material, I prefer the more complex tv show portrayal, which pulls in threads from multiple books and adds its own ingredients as well. Santiago is basically a nothing in the book. The time in Paris is much shorter and less interesting. The theme of unreliable narrators doesn't come in until the second book, because the first book is entirely from Louis perspective and there is no one to contradict anything he says, which makes everything less interesting and layered. They just do such a good job with the show nothing else can compare!
Leticia
2024-12-16 16:28:13 +0000 UTCThe movie isn’t awful but it deviates from the book in ways I don’t like. On the other hand, the series deviates from the book in ways I freaking love! I’m usually a book purist but AMC’s Interview is miles better than the book, it’s one of the best shoes I’ve seen on television in the last decade.
Devon Michelle
2024-12-15 00:11:07 +0000 UTCI feel very validated for finding this movie kind of bland and underwhelming lol but it was a lot more fun to watch with your commentary! As others have said it's more faithful to the first book while the show incorporates the series as a whole. Even so, the changes they made for the AMC series, I think, are huge improvements from the source material, as you noted in your reaction. Also the changes are significant enough that even though I've read the first three books I still feel like I'm going into season 3 relatively blind lol. I'd love to know your thoughts on the books should you get around to reading them (apologies if you already said you'd talk about them - my brain is completely fried lately). One thing I'll say about the movie is that I think the atmosphere and set design is beautiful and effectively gothic~ and obviously Kristen Dunst was amazing. I agree Lestat belongs to Sam Reid (and Louis to Jacob Anderson - my GOD what an improvement, if I were Brad Pitt I'd be embarrassed lol) but I def understand why people were/are impressed with Tom Cruise - this was a pretty big departure from his typical role, at least at the time! I thought he did a good job at bringing the character to life as depicted in that first book. Thank you as always for the great reaction! Gonna catch up on Severance when I get the chance <3
sam
2024-12-13 22:34:59 +0000 UTCThank you @ArcAngel, truly. 💌❤️🔥
Victoria
2024-12-10 09:17:05 +0000 UTCThank goodness you are okay...well...not 'okay' but so glad you can communicate and you sound like yourself (for my limited knowledge, anyway). Most sincere best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery! Things are just not the same here on Patreon without you! All the best healing energies to you, Victoria! ❤😇❤
ArcAngel
2024-12-10 08:08:55 +0000 UTCThank you @Valaree, I'm getting stronger! 💌🙏🏻
Victoria
2024-12-08 22:20:16 +0000 UTCI’m sorry you’re having to go through this! ❤️❤️❤️
Valaree
2024-12-08 19:08:39 +0000 UTCThe film is more faithful to the first book, while the series is more faithful to the entire saga. You said that this is the bones, and the series is the muscles, tissues, veins, and blood—and you're absolutely right. You have to watch this film with the mindset that it’s what Louis tells during the interview in San Francisco (therefore, neither Lestat’s truth nor Armand’s is present here). In the books, when you read the first one, Lestat is a villain for most of it, period. It's only when you read the second book that you discover what really happened, the true nature of the relationship between Lestat and Louis, etc. In other words: this is not what truly happened. This is what Louis recounts because he’s angry and hurt and hasn’t yet taken responsibility for his actions. Naturally, watching the film after seeing the series might leave you with a sense of emptiness. For me (and I’ve seen this film countless times before the series came out), this film is iconic, campy, dramatic—I love it. But as an adaptation? Clearly, the series surpasses it by a mile. Not to mention that Sam, Jacob, and Assad bring so much more to their characters. Personally, I can’t stand the Louis from the film; in fact, I wasn’t a big fan of Louis until Jacob Anderson came along, and now I adore him. That said, I have to admit that I enjoy Tom Cruise’s Lestat (even though I can’t stand him as a person, lol). He’s very theatrical and entertaining, perfectly embodying the Lestat of the first book, even though he lacks the depth of Sam’s Lestat (because Sam portrays the complete Lestat from all the books). And I absolutely love this Claudia, she is the best actress in this movie!!! You also have to understand that when this film was made, they didn’t intend to make more. Films, even when they’re adaptations, are made to appeal to a broad audience. If they had added more details, it might have been chaotic for viewers unfamiliar with the books or, in this case, the series. For example, that’s why they changed the ending—they could easily make up Lestat turning Daniel because there were no plans for sequels.
Victoria
2024-12-08 16:05:25 +0000 UTCThank you Taco! I'm glad too! I'm using this 2:14:33 vid to get my mood up right now! 😂 and thank you too @Raey! 💌
Victoria
2024-12-08 13:05:28 +0000 UTCOh no, I’m glad you’re alive. 😞
RÆY
2024-12-08 12:50:10 +0000 UTCVictoria 😢.I teared up reading this..I was literally asking where you were on another post. I am so so so glad you are still with us. (I'm gonna PM the rest of what i wanna say)
Raymond Walker
2024-12-07 23:05:41 +0000 UTCThis was really interesting to watch as a fan of the books, show and movie. The book Interview With The Vampire is actually relatively short, and the film, to me, feels much closer to it than the show. That said, the show is a masterclass in adaptation, in taking the themes and the mood and expanding them. The show also pulls on later books in the series. That said, there are plenty of book fans who really dislike the show and it's changes. I went to the Anne Rice Ball in NOLA in November and there wasn't many people there who had love for the show. I'm lucky that I love it all. I'd recommend reading the book and seeing for yourself what the story is. I think you'll be surprised.
Chloe Sheila
2024-12-07 22:02:09 +0000 UTCAlright... So... In case you were wondering where the bloody hell I've been... I had a pretty serious car accident last week, and honestly, I thought I wouldn't make it... I was on my way back from work when a drunk man crossed my path. The bad news is that, although thankfully I don't have anything incurable, my body will take some time to fully recover. I've been in the hospital, completely shattered, for a week, and today is the first day I've been able to hold a phone. The good news is that I'm alive, and I see I've missed a lot of content, so at least I'll have plenty to keep me entertained while my whole body aches in agony 😂💌
Victoria
2024-12-07 15:41:03 +0000 UTCAnne Rice panned the film in interviews until the studios told her to stop. There were a number of elements that more closely followed the book but overall the studios were more interested in a gore fest than the character exploration and story.
MJG Story Creation
2024-12-07 05:26:31 +0000 UTCSam Reid's Lestat changed my life fr
Ida
2024-12-07 02:08:04 +0000 UTCThanks to the movie for the introduction but thank you series for making me love IWTV!!!
Partrice
2024-12-07 00:51:35 +0000 UTCGreat reaction. Feel much of the same way. And I stand by this: Louis is an intriguing character. But changing his race and his backstory for the series is, in my opinion, one of the best adaptations to this specific story I've ever seen. The "life" breathed into LDPDL by Jacob Anderson (and by extension, Rolin and the writers) is phenomenal. (And - as always - Sam, Delainey, Assad, Eric, Ben...elevated everything for me.)
Layla
2024-12-06 23:46:59 +0000 UTCI think that gothic vibe you love will be in the show for The Vampire Lestat and The Vampire Armand seasons via flashbacks. :)
Don’tDrinkTheLuminol
2024-12-06 18:27:33 +0000 UTCAlso, Sam Reid actually wanted to look as scarred as Tom Cruise did in this version because it’s kind of how Lestat looks after the attempted murder in the book. But Rolin Jones said that Sam Reid was too pretty for that 😅 But I think Rolin just wanted a different killing scene.
Mary
2024-12-06 17:42:58 +0000 UTCBtw, Louis’ backstory in the show is actually closer to the book. The big reason why Louis was so depressed was because his brother Paul, who was a religious zealot, died of suicide. He wasn’t married and didn’t have a child. He liked a woman though but she was cut from both versions. He also liked Lestat and Armand. So I guess he’s a bisexual in the book.
Mary
2024-12-06 16:29:14 +0000 UTCThe portrayel of the relationship between Claudia and Louis was also great in the film. As Claudia grow older, she didn't only saw Louis as her father, but loved him in a different way. But for Louis she still was the sweet child and that was another kind of tragedy in Claudia's life. Also her love to Louis was always mixed with a kind of anger, because he was the one who fed on her. To me all about Claudia and some of the visual aspects were the only positive parts in the movie.
Myra
2024-12-06 12:32:09 +0000 UTCI think many agree that there *are* a few elements that fans prefer in the film: - Claudia and Lestat’s relationship. And you liked that part too! She’s really evil of his evil, his little love, his dark child! We hope to see more of that with S3 because it will have Lestat’s POV. - The whole distruction of the coven. I love the style of it in the show (the score, the acting, the execution of the plan, the editing, the dialogue, etc) but some people think it’s too short. Also, Louis uses that giant scythe in the book too! I would looove to see Jacob doing that, chopping heads and all that. But I get that it was probably too expensive to make that scene longer. Also the building they filmed in was too old so it would be dangerous to shoot many scenes with fire there. Also they probably wanted to save as much props as possible if they ever return in the theatre in S3.
Mary
2024-12-06 10:02:38 +0000 UTCI think you really should read the book to see for yourself what changes were made in the film and in the show. Generally, I think the film’s changes simplified the story while the shows’ changes added more drama. For example, the film follows the book by showing that Claudia despises the theatre. But I see gears spinning in Rolin’s (the showrunner’s) head when he’s thinking: “but what if she loves them out of desperation because she, like Lestat, craves for family of like-minded people AND THEN they betray her in so many ways that she finally stars to see them for what they are”. Or the whole trial scene. I don’t want to spoil the book but it’s kind of in the middle between the two versions and it gets expanded even more in the second book. And again, while the movie simplifies it a little bit, Rolin says: “aren’t we fucking theater kids just like these characters are? We already have a stage, let’s use it! Of course, we should add as much drama as possible to an already dramatic scene in the book. It was already a 10 as far as drama goes, let’s make it a 12!”. That’s what people mean when they say that the shows “follows the spirit of the book”. It’s because all of these vampires are so fucking dramatic and writers get that!
Mary
2024-12-06 09:40:33 +0000 UTCI think I’m alone in thinking the movie follows the book more. I think the show took a lot of liberties. And the things that make the show so great are things that weren’t even in the book or movie. But I can see how for the times that both were pretty progressive. I remember thinking anybody that got to see the movie was so cool because it was pretty controversial when it came out (I wasn’t allowed to see it lol)
Tamara
2024-12-06 02:56:41 +0000 UTCWatched this for the first time in '97. The moment Tom popped up out the back of that Mustang, I was sold. I have loved the character ever since! But Sam really does take it to another level.
Glamazon 617
2024-12-06 02:41:28 +0000 UTCYou're right. We could find out that dude was doing some evil stuff on the side. I considered that too... But in that scene from the show, Louis talked about seeing some of the man's memories and he seemed like an innocent. All I know is that if they're dropping that aspect of Lestat's character, they will have a good reason for it. I feel pretty good about the stuff they've changed so far
The Existential Shrew
2024-12-06 02:29:11 +0000 UTCI'm watching the movie for the first time alongside you, with pretty much the same level of background. It's so fun!!
Ida
2024-12-06 02:27:19 +0000 UTCDon’t make me suggest it in the next poll
Jessica
2024-12-06 02:18:32 +0000 UTC"It felt weird that the show had Lestat kill someone for being a bad singer and not evil. It was a huge departure from the text." But remember...we only have gotten Louis' perspective so far, just like in the first book. Louis had no idea they were evildoers. Perhaps the opera singer was too? We just don't know yet. ;)
Tasia Barrett
2024-12-06 02:10:48 +0000 UTCI was like 13 when that dropped..the spin offs where dope to..new york vs pumpkin was iconic lmao..new york had her own show as well too
Raymond Walker
2024-12-06 01:59:27 +0000 UTCWhite Louis is truly the stuff of nightmares like it just don't feel right lmaoo
sierra's reaction corner
2024-12-06 01:50:50 +0000 UTCLow key, I hope IWTV Season 3 takes one cue from this movie and STOPS MAKING US WATCH VAMPIRES TALKING WITH THEIR CHINS COVERED IN BLOOD. I seriously need to see Daniel Malloy WIPING HIS MOUTH after he feeds because he remembers watching Louis talk with blood on his chin for dozens of dinners was so disgusting. :D
Don’tDrinkTheLuminol
2024-12-06 01:29:20 +0000 UTCThe description as “comedic” and “skeletal” describes the movie very well. I had read the book first and the movie left me with a feeling of frustration. The way the woman was undressed on stage and the way Lestat bites the other women in the chest and the somehow vulgar vibe of both scenes really repulsed me. So I was glad that Taco also seemed irritated by it. (At least that's the impression I got from his reaction.) Visually it was great at many points. However, you couldn't see it as detached from the book because there were just too many things left out for that. I couldn't reconcile it with the book either because the actors, apart from Kirsten Dunst and Stephen Rea, simply didn't fit the characters in the book at all. Antonio Banderas just didn’t suit Armand for me. He had nohing at all in common with Armand from the book. Tom Cruise played Lestat far too silly. In the book his sometimes somewhat hyper nature has more of a tragic aspect. I can’t descripe it very well, but Sam Reid expresses this aspect perfectly. Many people say that Anne Rice actually wanted to portray Lestat as evil in the first book and later changed her mind and built up the other books with him as the main character. I have to say, I felt differently about the first book. I had discussed it with a friend at the time and said that I didn't believe Louis, how bad Lestat was and how much he detested him, I had the impression that he was in love with him but didn't want to admit it. My friend had already moved on and was reading “the Vampire Lestat” and she said, just wait until you read the next book… Why did I have this impression at the time? Somehow there were a lot of little things that stood between the lines for me. Louis emphasized TOO much how much he hated Lestat. Daniel also questioned some things in the book, but unlike in the AMC series, Louis stuck to his narrative in the book. Anne Rice had not originally planned to write further books as sequels, but I am convinced that she had already deliberately interspersed things that cast doubt on Louis' narrative. In a way, it was supposed to be left open. I particularly love the AMC series for picking up on this crucial point and implementing it with the great idea of juxtaposing the original interview with a second one that takes place years later. Some book readers may disagree with me and say that Anne Rice didn't intend this, that she simply changed her mind later, but as I said, when I read the first book I had the strong feeling that something was wrong with Louis' narrative and that he was trying to portray things to the listener differently than they apparently were. Louis' character was unfortunately not well developed in the book. While she later made up for this with Lestat, after the second book she had a clear reluctance to get more involved with Louis. He simply embodied something that she wanted to leave behind. As a big fan of Louis, I never got over the fact that he no longer played a major role in the following books. Nevertheless, many aspects of Jacob Anderson's embodiment of Louis were also hinted at in the books, even if not fleshed out, such as this great anger he has inside him. It was indeed often the case that Anne Rice only hinted at points or briefly described them, which was always a bit unsatisfying for me because I simply wanted to know more. For example the book only mentions relativley briefly that Louis and Armand were together for about seventy years and then broke up. I’m just comletely perplexed that the characters in the series are interpreted the way I saw them in the books. It’s not often that my ideas are played back like this. I love how the series has developed Paul and Madeleine. Incidentally, the scene from the series in which Lestat lay down in the coffin and said to Louis „you can lie on top“ was taken exactly from the book. In the movie, they took out all the homoerotic moments.
Myra
2024-12-06 00:45:23 +0000 UTCYou may regret seeing the show first, but now you can appreciate Sam Reid's Lestat that much more. To me -- and this is just my opinion -- this is Tom Cruise being Tom Cruise; whereas Sam IS Lestat. Tom Cruise feels like Tom Cruise in everything he's in. But Sam embodies the Lestat I had in my head when I read the novels. I will say, though, that thank God Tom never tried to do Lestat's French accent. Just imagine the butchery, lol.
Thoma
2024-12-05 23:15:34 +0000 UTCYes, I've got it booted up in my Kindle right now! 😂 I actually fell asleep to it last night...once again right before Paul kills himself. Louis voice in the audio book is too soothing! I can't get through Part One without passing out! 😂 But, this morning, I did follow up and heard Louis agonizing at length over Paul's death. No mention of any wife and child. I dozed off again at some point when Louis and Lestat are living with the 'old man'. At this rate I'll get through book 1 sometime around early 2025. 😂
ArcAngel
2024-12-05 22:44:52 +0000 UTCI'm 100% going to hate-watch the movie today lol. Stuart Townsend as Lestat was 😵💫.
Indi500
2024-12-05 19:53:01 +0000 UTC🤣🤣🤣🤣
Melissa
2024-12-05 19:51:24 +0000 UTCExcept for Aliyah, it's awful. I also believe, even if some are inaccuracies, that you'll be spoiled on some things moving forward. 🤷♀️ If you don't care about that, then you could watch it just for the hell of it. Oh, I also think you'd dislike that Lestst portrayal more than T Cruise.
Melissa
2024-12-05 19:50:24 +0000 UTCCan we imagine a world where this is canon to the show? This is the San Francisco interview, and Louis is just out there lying his ass off, fucking with Daniel, pretending he’s older than he is, telling Daniel about his fake wife and kid, telling Daniel “yes I looked exactly like Brad Pitt at the time it’s a vampire thing, you wouldn’t understand”.
Valaree
2024-12-05 19:43:53 +0000 UTCLittle baby Kirsten Dunst acting circles around these men is definitely the highlight of this movie, she's incredible. I always have to hold myself back from joining her when she screams "Which one of you did it?!" It's so funny how this movie doesn't hold a candle to the show after seeing it. The nuance and depth that the show adds... Especially to Louis?? He is insufferable in the film, I can't stand his moping. It doesn't feel justified, because we aren't given enough of a character outside of "America's most depressed plantation owner" to really care what happens to him. I clapped and cheered when I saw the pilot for the show because I knew that, finally, Louis would be interesting and compelling. Tom Cruise's Lestat is fun to watch, but we don't really get a chance to care about him either. Spark notes is a good analogy.
Vince
2024-12-05 17:59:51 +0000 UTCIt's terrible lol. But if you're not planning to watch it (again) at some point in the future for comparison's sake, then I wouldn't bother to consider it at all. Except for Aaliyah. 😂
Indi500
2024-12-05 17:54:38 +0000 UTCI think this movie is what prompted the "fan theory" that in the show "we didn't see who changed Daniel so maybe it was Lestat and not Armand". That sounds like they've seen the movie and take it all as canon, but book canon is Armand is Daniel's maker, and I can't imagine the show would change that like the movie did.
Don’tDrinkTheLuminol
2024-12-05 17:48:16 +0000 UTCI wasn’t sure if you were too young for Flavor of Love 💀
Jessica
2024-12-05 16:48:15 +0000 UTCI saw it when I was like 10..don't remember a thing..just that aalyiah was a vampire..bad watch?
Raymond Walker
2024-12-05 16:45:06 +0000 UTCYoooo new york 🤣🤣🤣
Raymond Walker
2024-12-05 16:44:06 +0000 UTCThe one thing I'll give this movie in terms of sincere praise is the overall aesthetic, costuming and set pieces. It's perfectly gothic in that regard and that's the only thing that makes me SLIGHTLY regret the tv show changing the time period. The tv show is much more modern in its aesthetic which obviously is great as well, but for vampires, that old school gothic, 18th century vibe matches SO well. But hands down I have to say you just saw the reason I am such a big Louis fan in regards to the show because man Brad Pitt as Louis was AWFUL. Louis here in the movie (and honestly the little I've read of him in the books) is just insufferable. Barely a hint of depth and nuance to his character, Brad Pitt spent the whole time as him pouting until the end when he has miraculous twist and growth in character. I also hate that that movie could not go full in with the romantic relationships which is where so many gaps are left imo. Obviously its the 90s so I get it, but those dynamics are integral to understanding these characters and their motives. I never grew up watching this movie (I wasn't even close to being born when it came out lol) so I'm sure I'm just a biased as you when I say I VASTLY prefer the tv show which was my introduction to this story as a whole. But I can appreciate the people who hold this movie in high regard, especially since it was the only adaptation they'd had of a book series from the 70s!
sierra's reaction corner
2024-12-05 15:39:26 +0000 UTCThe movie will always have a special place in my heart I was obsessed with it after I saw it. But lol the series is a masterpiece
Stephanie Reynolds
2024-12-05 15:05:54 +0000 UTCI would never ever recommend QotD. No offense. Just my two cents.
Melissa
2024-12-05 15:04:29 +0000 UTCAgree. Before S2 I purposefully watched s1, then the movie then read IWTV and the movie was underwhelming in comparison but the show seemed like a perfect companion to the book.
Mary
2024-12-05 12:53:55 +0000 UTCEh, it not accurate at all so I think he’s going to be fine.
Mary
2024-12-05 12:51:48 +0000 UTCYeah, they cut Paul and added wife and kid instead.
Mary
2024-12-05 12:48:28 +0000 UTCI think you hit the nail on the head that this movie was hitting the major story beats from the book and was likely more relatable for book readers at the time. By the time the movie came out there were four books published in the series and two in the Mayfair series; modern fans may not realize how very popular Anne Rice was at the time but there was nothing like today's saturated market for gothic horror back then. Everybody in the goth community was all up in her books and it was a very successful movie. I and many other kids like me soaked this up, starved for media to cater to my tastes (and hungry for even the smallest crumbs of homoeroticism that we queers had to subsist on in those days). It holds a nostalgic place in my heart, though of course the show is better in every single way and is my canon now. I will say, the show and the movie each adhere to different aspects of the book in their own way (with the show more informed by the later books in the series) and I absolutely think it is worth reading! One last thing: I noticed at least three times you giving a little side-eye for implying romantic aspects to Claudia's character (who was ~10 in the movie and 5 in the book) and I'll just say... Anne Rice's works are FULL of taboo, sketchy shit so just brace yourself going in. She's a lot, she's not perfect 😉
Amanda Winstead
2024-12-05 12:23:39 +0000 UTCI don’t think he should to be safe
RÆY
2024-12-05 11:30:30 +0000 UTCHoly shit, I haven't seen this for literal decades! This was such a guilty pleasure at the time it came out. I saw this movie in the cinema when I was 16 (oooops, I just dated myself, lol.)and I absolutely loved it! Being a part of the New Wave and Gothic scene at the time, you took every morsel you could get, I guess. And the movie was my introducion to the Vampire Chronicles as a whole, so it's got that going for it. I read the first book soon after, and I was so surprised, how good it was! I think at that time four books of the Chronicles were out and I loved them all. I confess, at the time, I loved Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt was quite easy on the eyes – for my 16-year-old self at least. I guess priorities change! But I have to say, whatever my general opinion of the actor is today, Tom Cruise's Lestat isn't half bad, quite close to the version of the first book, where he's absolutely the villain and you aren't really supposed to connect with him. That's more part of the following books, especially "The Vampire Lestat". I remember Rolin Jones and Sam Reid saying in more than one interview, that they included aspects of Lestat from later books while forming the character, making him more relatable. When you think of all the hatred Sam Reid's version of Lestat is getting, I don't even want to imagine, how those people would have reacted to the movie version... To wrap up my ramblings, Kirsten Dunst kills it in this movie and I love her and her work up until this day, while Armand makes my skin crawl and my blood boil, no matter which version I'm seeing. Thanks for uploading this, I'm having such a fun time watching and reminiscing.
Marlene
2024-12-05 08:59:15 +0000 UTCThat even supports what I said even more; she's already deep into Lestat's POV when she wrote this. She said it herself, she eventually became Lestat. TVL was written to explain away why Lestat was awful to them, here every awful things he's done to them is taken out. No, I know the heterosexualization is the studio's choice. It's very obvious and very lazy. But not the intricate characters' details they chose to keep and not.
crazykuroneko
2024-12-05 08:28:56 +0000 UTCI'd be meaning to rewatch this movie again but I'm hooked (ok obsessed lol) on the AMC series. I haven't seen this movie in 28 years so I enjoyed rewatching it with you. Thank you
Linda B
2024-12-05 07:45:52 +0000 UTCIt makes me smirk when I think about how much pushback the show gets, with the argument being that this movie is "iconic" and "a classic" and "a real vampire story" - but the actual critical reviews were shitty to luke warm.
xris037
2024-12-05 07:23:55 +0000 UTCyeah, there's entire pages about his relationship with Paul and his religious fervor and Louis' guilt afterwards. you might need to listen again lol
xris037
2024-12-05 07:21:08 +0000 UTCwell, to be fair, this screenplay was written long after The Vampire Lestat. That book came out in 1985. they also made her change A LOT. and there is no such thing as loving a character you've written too much.
xris037
2024-12-05 07:16:37 +0000 UTCOk, finally finished watching. I agree with you on all your points. This movie was EXTREMELY hard to have gotten made and I think, for the time it came out, and for the culture at the time (no homo to the extreme), this was the best they could do and it was really miraculous it even got made at all. I do hope you get around to reading the books and sharing your thoughts on them. As others have said the book is different again - no two iwtv are the same. Just keep in mind it IS Anne’s first book and it’s so different from the rest of the series. Like, you really cannot prepare yourself for the tonal shift between book one and book two. So even if it’s not your jam I’d say don’t give up!
Acacia
2024-12-05 07:10:40 +0000 UTCWatching this now I realize how spoiled we are with Sam, Jacob, Assad, etc., and their beautiful voices and accents. Wow...truly night and day, in this regard.
ArcAngel
2024-12-05 07:01:31 +0000 UTCOh god! I always forget the song!
Acacia
2024-12-05 06:56:40 +0000 UTCYour review is literally what I said on my Letterboxd lol. And imo when you take the book into the consideration, it's even more annoying; they didn't just heterosexualize these characters, they erased important points in Louis' characteristics (e.g his family) and how patriarchal Lestat is when they're in NOLA (which the show shows). Instead, they made Lestat into this fun silly character here, which can be explained when you remember Anne wrote this script herself and she was in the process writing The Vampire Lestat. That woman loved Lestat too much. I also love all the changes the show has made. Other than making every event feels more earned, they also made Louis' story way less pessimistic. Like, the message of this movie is there's nothing vampires could pursue. They could only wait to die eventually. Meanwhile, show really brings home that it's indeed a gift, despite the life won't be any less easy as human's life, but it's life nonetheless. Anyway, I cringed along with you every time you cringed over the racial tone. The book is worse btw, so be safe
crazykuroneko
2024-12-05 06:53:41 +0000 UTCYeah, book and movie Claudia said "fuck these vampires" IMMEDIATELY.
xris037
2024-12-05 06:33:34 +0000 UTCPlease flash the Tiffany Pollard BEYONCE?? meme after you realize it’s Santiago. BUFFOON?? 👹 SANTIAGOOOO. I’m CRYING.
Jessica
2024-12-05 06:32:42 +0000 UTCas a book lover, i’m actually not a very big fan of the movie. i appreciate it for what it is, but i actually feel like the tv series stays closer to the true spirit of the books. the show may change more specific details than the movie, but the themes, relationships, characters, and general feelings of the story feel much closer to the books in the tv show. the movie feels kind of hollow to me, and even though it’s still a fun watch, i don’t think it properly conveys how the characters from the books feel. like sam reid TRULY feels like lestat from the books to me, to the point where i feel like i’ve been waiting my whole life for him to finally pull up and do this character justice. like whenever i re-read the books (especially the second book onwards), i can FEEL sam reid leaping out of the pages. and like i know some people complain about the tv show changing specific details, but the movie does that too lol, it’s just that the tv show does those changes WELL (no shade). but yeah, i would definitely take this movie with a grain of salt cause it‘s also not very book accurate and changes a lot of details. but again, no shade to the people who worked on it. and especially no shade to the director! i love his other work (especially company of wolves. it’s a fantastic movie). regardless, this is a fun and nostalgic watch, and i can’t wait to join you again for season three.
Abby
2024-12-05 06:12:30 +0000 UTC…I’m wondering if you should watch Queen of the Damned before season 3 IWTV comes out. You’ll “learn” new stuff, true, that could “spoil” season 3, but we don’t know how they are going to do the season, so is it really spoiling things? Heads up, QOTD is kind of terrible in my opinion, but I love the books, so I got a kick out of it, especially the way the vampires moved. Had me cracking up.
Indi500
2024-12-05 06:09:49 +0000 UTCThe Cher song too!
Jessica
2024-12-05 05:48:08 +0000 UTCOkay, I have to say, about this scene with this incredible actress, it's almost point for point from the book. The "You are a killer, Louis!" scene was with two prostitutes and Louis becomes very upset by Lestat's cruelty. It's straight from the book. This was the scene they substituted for the opera guy scene. And it's an important divergence. Because in the book The Vampire Lestat, Lestat specifies that these women were murderers. Lestat is careful to inform the readers that these women were evildoers. It felt weird that the show had Lestat kill someone for being a bad singer and not evil. It was a huge departure from the text.
The Existential Shrew
2024-12-05 05:41:49 +0000 UTCApparently Brad didn't like filming this movie. He hated the contacts and make-up and wigs (hated wearing it). He hated filming in the dark for months on end. And because Tom Cruise is so short, Brad had to lower himself all the time -- much of the filming he is standing in a ditch (they would dig a ditch for brad to stand in when he was standing near Tom). I guess Tom is only like 5'7"?
ArcAngel
2024-12-05 05:41:39 +0000 UTCReally? I swear I just listened to the Audible book ...and I can't remember. Well that's embarrassing...😂
ArcAngel
2024-12-05 05:32:59 +0000 UTCSo something interesting about this one, is that Anne Rice adapted the novel for the film. It’s different from the book, because she had to compromise a LOT. I still think you’d get a lot out of reading the book. Some scenes are line for line. Others… uh, you can feel the studio interference. There’s book scenes that I love that haven’t made it into any adaptation. The series is definitive for me though.
Jessica
2024-12-05 05:30:00 +0000 UTCAt about minute 39, this is the same actress that gave me nightmare fuel from the first Resident Evil movie. The elevator? Omg.
The Existential Shrew
2024-12-05 05:26:59 +0000 UTCCause the studio needed Louis to have a wife, because he and his roommate Lestat were just two bros raising a child together. As bros do.
Jessica
2024-12-05 05:26:56 +0000 UTC11 minutes and I can't stop laughing! 😂😭😂 Holy fugg...why did they paint those blue veins all over Brad Pitt's face??! HE HAS VARICOSE VEINS OF THE FACE!!! 😭😂😭
ArcAngel
2024-12-05 05:24:03 +0000 UTCI actually can’t get over the budget for this one. 60 million in 1994 (126 million adjusted) for the queerest book of 1976???? They treated this like a tentpole franchise.
Jessica
2024-12-05 05:23:29 +0000 UTCThe craziest thing about this movie is that Anne Rice wanted Cher to play Louis. They had a script for it and everything. Also, at one point David Cronenberg was attached to direct. The alternate universe versions of this movie are crazy
Acacia
2024-12-05 05:22:56 +0000 UTCOh shit 😯
Raymond Walker
2024-12-05 05:21:43 +0000 UTCYou have been full throttle. Enjoy those milestones.
Jessica
2024-12-05 05:18:18 +0000 UTCBrad’s actual depression about being unable to escape his contract really brought a certain misery to Louis that I appreciate.
Jessica
2024-12-05 05:17:14 +0000 UTCThe show is actually very close to the book beginning - the loss of Paul is what drives Louis' sorrow and dispair in the book. I don't know why it was changed for the movie. Maybe because it was easier to quickly understand.
xris037
2024-12-05 05:05:29 +0000 UTCAt first, this movie was something book fans were unbelievably excited about. And then they said Tom Cruise was playing Lestat and people were like...????????? Anne Rice herself was against it! She apparently changed her mind tho.
ArcAngel
2024-12-05 05:05:22 +0000 UTCSo fun fact, the backstory of Louis having a wife and child didn't happen in the book. It was completely made up for the movie to heterosexualize the characters lol.
Natty
2024-12-05 05:03:01 +0000 UTCThis is so interesting watching you wrap your head around the differences and I barely started the video lol I will confess I’m a book reader who did enjoy the movie but yea watching the show first you can’t watch this without being let down lollll it just seems so much simple & kind of a tease of the story if that makes sense
Christina
2024-12-05 04:59:51 +0000 UTCKristen Dunst made this movie....I watched it when it came in 1994 and honestly did not enjoy it.The series like u said fleshed out the characters and story where the show really did not for me.
deedra Mcconis
2024-12-05 04:58:42 +0000 UTCLike honestly, Kirsten Dunst was what? 12 at the time? And I was like 14 and I was like Naw she fucked the entire role up and it should have been me. Lol. But she was amazing and the movie was really good. Everything was pretty true to the book except that Armand was all wrong and they changed the ending. I actually liked the ending, though, even though it was a total departure from the book. It was some true sass from Lestat about Louie and I was living for it.
The Existential Shrew
2024-12-05 04:56:16 +0000 UTCwhite louis jumpscare😭
j-l
2024-12-05 04:55:45 +0000 UTCYo smh lmao..the delivery of some if the lines..eeehhhh
Raymond Walker
2024-12-05 04:50:09 +0000 UTC🤣🤣🤣🤣I acutally really enjoyed Brad!
Raymond Walker
2024-12-05 04:49:09 +0000 UTCTwelve minutes in and I am CRACKING UP.
Amanda Hill
2024-12-05 04:48:43 +0000 UTCFor those who watched the show first I can see why comparatively, they wouldn't care for the movie, because the show is just a masterpiece and nothing else comes close. But this was a childhood fav of mine, so I actually like the movie. The only bad thing about this movie frfr was Brad Pitt lol.
Natty
2024-12-05 04:48:20 +0000 UTCsee and for fans like yourself is the reason i want to give this movie grace. I know there is a portion of people who truly do enjoy this movie. So i wasn't harsh i think and the one truly harsh thing i said i took it out lmao. Claudia really saved the day for me with this one
Raymond Walker
2024-12-05 04:46:53 +0000 UTCshout out to my eyes. they are really doing things they haven't been able to do in almost 2 full calendar years
Raymond Walker
2024-12-05 04:45:37 +0000 UTCHAHAHA no no it will be here tomorrow, if you tired get your rest fam frfr
Raymond Walker
2024-12-05 04:43:49 +0000 UTCAs a book lover, I actually loved this movie.
The Existential Shrew
2024-12-05 04:43:18 +0000 UTCGuess I'm not going to bed yet lol
The Existential Shrew
2024-12-05 04:42:04 +0000 UTC
