Bram Stoker's Dracula

An intense, romantic horror set against Victorian London, the film follows Count Dracula after he leaves his ancient stronghold and arrives in England with an old obsession on his mind. Jonathan Harker, a young solicitor, becomes an unwitting link between Dracula and Mina Murray, his fiancee, when the count recognizes in her the face of a lost love from centuries past. As Dracula's fascination grows, loyalties shift and secrets surface among a small circle that includes Mina, her friends, and the scholar Van Helsing. The story moves between seduction, violence, and ritual, keeping the original novel's gothic mood while leaning hard into visual symbolism and emotional intensity without revealing later surprises.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and released in 1992, the screenplay was adapted by James V. Hart from Bram Stoker's novel. The film stars Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, and Keanu Reeves, and it was promoted as a lavish, faithful reimagining of the source material.

The movie was a commercial success, earning substantially more than its production costs worldwide and reaching a broad audience beyond horror fans, helped by its high-profile cast and striking marketing.

Visually the film left a strong mark, thanks to bold production and costume design, memorable makeup, and striking creature effects. Gary Oldman's layered portrayal of Dracula and Eiko Ishioka's wardrobe in particular stuck in the public eye, shaping later screen depictions of vampires and inspiring homages across film and fashion.

Critics were split but many praised the film's style and the central performances, with Oldman and Ryder singled out for emotional weight. Reviewers pointed to its eroticism, questions of faith and mortality, and the clash between Victorian restraint and primal desire. Audience response averaged around 7.4 out of 10, reflecting lasting appreciation among fans even as opinions vary on its theatrical excesses.