Smoke Signals

Interview with the Vampire is an AMC original show directed by Neil Jordan and written by Anne Rice. It is a gothic, vampiric, period drama that starts in 1791 New Orleans and progresses into the 21st century.

 On the surface it can be seen as a gothic romance, but in all actuality, it digs much deeper into each character’s mental health, complex relationships, problems they face in a less accepting time period, and how these characters change throughout the series. The show stars Jacob Anderson, Same Reid, and Bailey Bass as the main characters. Anne Rice’s works such as The Vampire Lestat, The Tale of the Body There, and The Feast of All Saints are so beautifully written that it is not surprising that this TV series is no exception. This show is so well written it would be hard for it not to leave a mark in the viewer’s memory.

The characters’ storylines and personalities were written in an incredibly mindful way that allows the viewer to see the depth in the story. The actors portray their roles very well and create a very immersive atmosphere. The settings and outfits portray the characters’ personalities and the time periods they are in. Carol Cutshall is the designer for the outfits and is known for putting her time and heart into her designs no matter what the project is. Each character is introduced in a timely manner, and whenever they are introduced it has a major impact on the story. Each episode runs from 46 to 71 minutes, and the creators use each minute thoughtfully and carefully.

The way that each character interaction is done, lets the viewer get attached to the characters and understand their motives more and more. Each scene is done with the intention of coming into play at some point in the future. There are hints of future plot points scattered throughout the series in every action and motive.

The writing of the series is done in a way where the viewer can be so caught up in the emotions of the characters that they can miss these hints in the moment, but remember what led up to the next plot point. With Interview with the Vampire’s main production company being AMC Studio, it is not surprising that they don’t hold back on the more hardcore scenes. The scenes can be seen as “overly gory” or “unnecessary,” but each scene that does feature things like that is or will be crucial to the plot. 

Overall, Interview with the Vampire is a wonderfully made TV show that should be given a chance no matter what your usual watching habits are. Fans of horror, gore, romance, mind games, and other genres will love the craftsmanship and art of the show. I would absolutely give this series a 5/5 star rating! It is hard not to be sucked into the show and love every minute of it.