Dracula (2026) Review: Slow and meandering at times, yet often equally bombastic
I've never been all that interested in vampires, but my goal for 2026 is to watch every new release, so I went to check out this new adaptation of Dracula! And after watching the film, it was not at all what I expected. This wasn't some typical, sexy romantasy (like the A Love Tale may have suggested) or a gothic, bloody horror (like what I usually expect from vampire films), but a man's simple journey to get his love back with a Dracula font type over it. In this Reel Ranker review, I, Brighton Nelson, will be delving into 2026's Dracula, discussing its pros and cons and whether or not it is an effective reimagining of the Dracula formula.
I'll save the best for last, as usual. Let's get into the negatives first. The second act of this film meandered a lot and was overly confusing, given that the plot is very simple on paper. While made better in retrospect, the second act could've been cut down by a solid 20 minutes, and it would've greatly benefited the film. I love an effective slow-burn, but this film's second act isn't really like that.
I also found the ending to be a bit disappointing. While I understand the emotions that would lead Dracula to make the decision he does, it doesn't make much sense, considering that it's a sudden choice he makes due to the opinion of one priest and goes against his long-standing ideals. And, if it is that horrible to be immortal, why didn't you just find someone who would kill you and not spend so much time searching for your love, instead of making an odd decision that goes against your core desire throughout your life?
The final gripe I have with this film is that, frankly, it doesn't leave much of a mark with its story, characters, or themes. It's not that memorable since it's a pretty by-the-numbers story executed in a solid-enough way. It's not a film I would moan and groan about having to rewatch, but it's not one I could ever see myself picking up off the shelf.
However, this film does a lot of things well, even if I'm not overwhelmingly positive on the film. The action sequences, though few and far between, are fantastic. The opening sequence, where Dracula tries to save his love, was equally heartbreaking and entertaining, and the final sequence, where Dracula just mows people down with a sword, was spectacular. The film was surprisingly bloodless: I found it odd that it was rated R in the first place; I wouldn't have given it above PG-13, personally. Even with the lack of blood, though, the vampire-related scenes were still effective here. The cinematography was quite solid, setting an effectively gothic atmosphere that did its job well. The leads were great—every time Dracula and his love appeared on screen together, the film was at its best. While the film often dragged and the pacing was inconsistent, when it hit, it hit hard.
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 63%
Letter Score: B
Star Ranking: 3 out of 5
Dracula has some truly brilliant moments in the first and third acts, yet the film's long runtime and meandering second act hinder it. With a solidly shorter runtime (and maybe a little bit more bloody vampire action), this could've been a certifiable classic adaptation of Dracula. Still, it's a solid enough movie with great cinematography and enough bombastic moments that I'd certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a lovingly-crafted, gothic movie to watch.
Interested in checking out my reviews for the two other February romance films I watched? Check them out below!
Brighton Nelson
Brighton Nelson
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