Anne Rice's best-selling romantic horror tale about the origins of a centuries-old vampire inspired this popular, atmospheric chiller. One of director Neil Jordan's major Hollywood productions, the film stays close to its source material, retaining the frame of a young reporter (Christian Slater) interviewing a man who claims to be a 200-year-old vampire. The man, Louis (Brad Pitt), shares his story, beginning in 18th-century New Orleans with his first encounters with the charismatic and decadent vampire Lestat (Tom Cruise). Lestat converts Louis to blood-sucking and immortality, but Louis fails to adopt Lestat's cavalier attitude, instead tormenting himself with guilt over his new nature. The two vampires remain deeply, if reluctantly, connected over the years, while becoming intimately involved with others of their kind, including Claudia (Kirsten Dunst), a mature immortal in a young child's body. Fans of the novel raised numerous objections, particularly after Rice initially spoke out against the casting of Cruise as Lestat; further casting difficulties followed the death of River Phoenix, whose role as the interviewer was assumed by Christian Slater. Rice later recanted her objections, and the combination of thrills and gothic romance proved popular with audiences. Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Genre: Horror
- Category Costume Horror
- Theme: Dangerous Friends, Faltering Friendships, Haunted By the Past, Vampires
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- Run Time: 02 hr 03 min
- Language: Japanese, French, English, Spanish
- Subtitle Language: Japanese, Spanish, French, English
- Picture Format: widescreen
- Format: Blu-ray
- Lead Actor: Tom Cruise, Christian Slater, Stephen Rea, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas
- Supporting Actor: Bellina Logan, George Kelly, Helen McCrory, Roger Lloyd Pack, Katia Caballero, Sarah Stockbridge, Susan Lynch, Micha Bergese, Monte Montague, Lyla Kay Owen, John "Spud" McConnell, Jeanette Kontomitras, Andrew Tiernan, Marcel Iures, Kirsten Dunst, Domiziana Giordano, Thandie Newton, Laure Marsac, Indra Ové
- Director: Neil Jordan
awards
- Nominations: Academy Awards (2), Golden Globe Awards (2)
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Original Score, 1994, Elliot Goldenthal
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Score, 1994, Elliot Goldenthal
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Ro, 1994, Kirsten Dunst
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Art Direction, 1994, Francesca Lo Schiavo, Dante Ferretti
guest rating
