Interview with the Vampire - Season 1

Abusive, dysfunctional relationships can happen to everyone and anyone. If anything, this TV show demonstrates that it can also happen to vampires.Interview with the Vampire is a two-layered story about, well, vampires. In the present, Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson, Game of Thrones) is being interviewed by Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) about his life story. Most of the show is about this second layer and is set in New Orleans in the early 1900s. Louis narrates how he was made a vampire by Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid, The Newsreader) and about their life together as they fall in love. Their lives are turned upside down when Louis saves a young girl (Bailey Bass, Avatar: The Way of Water) from a fire and asks Lestat to turn her into a vampire as well to prevent her from dying. From that point on, the three form a highly dysfunctional family. It is abundantly clear to the viewer that Lestat is abusive, even though Louis has trouble seeing it so.

The interaction between the present and the past adds an interesting dimension

This complicated relationship is displayed beautifully by all three actors. Especially the chemistry between Anderson and Reid is on point, which alone makes the series worth a watch. It is also incredibly toxic, like a train wreck you cannot look away from. The setting makes the show even better; 1900s New Orleans is gorgeous and mesmerizing. The reflections of both Louis and Daniel Molloy in the present on the past provide an interesting additional dimension. Especially Anderson deserves a special mention for his display of the ways in which Louis has and has not changed in the present. He manages to show a character that has built a wall around himself, but occasionally slips up. This makes the scenes in the present fascinating. Finally, the soundtrack is on point. Basically, my only critique of the show is that it is sometimes a tad bit over-dramatic, such as the levitating at the first kiss/bite.



It might be good to note that this show is based on a book series by Anne Rice and the first season covers the first half of the first book. I have to admit that I have not read that book, so that I cannot comment much on the faithfulness of the adaptation. I do know that the character of Louis was originally white in the book, but is black now, which has gathered some criticism. I cannot compare it to the book, but the show works very well with the choices made, including this one. Louis is clearly troubled himself (albeit in a different way than Lestat) and his experiences with racism in early 1900s New Orleans fuel his problems. People who have therefore not read the book should have no issues here. If you have read the book, it might be good to know it is not a 100% faithful adaptation in that sense.

Nonetheless, it should not stop you from watching: I would most certainly recommend this show. Be warned that the content is severely messed up at times, so a slight trigger warning is in order. In any case, this first season leaves high promises for season two.