The Vourdalak: A Bloody Good Time
The world of cinema has always been fascinated with the undead, and for good reason. The concept of immortality, combined with the fear of the unknown, makes for a thrilling narrative. From Bram Stoker’s Dracula to modern-day retellings, the vampire myth has been a staple of horror and fantasy. But before the Count made his name, there was The Family of the Vourdalak.
A family’s dark secret
Originally written in French as an 1839 gothic novella by Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy, The Family of the Vourdalak tells the story of a family coping with the impact of folkloric terror. The tale has inspired numerous adaptations, including Mario Bava’s Black Sabbath (1963) and The Night of the Devils (1972). Now, Adrien Beau brings us a thoroughly entertaining retelling of this proto-vampiric group in The Vourdalak.
The film is a wonderfully multi-layered piece, focusing on the unworldly and already rather otherworldly figure of the Marquis D’Urfe as he arrives unexpectedly into the centre of European folk tradition. It explores the social interactions of the time, highlighting the vast differences between central European farmer families and the upper classes of Paris, and delivers a brilliantly orchestrated humorous dance of well-drawn characters.
The Marquis, a well-meaning but rather naive lord
The Marquis himself, played exquisitely by Kacey Mottet Klein, is the bemused observer of a family in crisis. The ageing father of the clan has inadvisably gone to fight to defend their land, much to the chagrin of the eldest son Jegor (Grégoire Colin). When Dad comes back, he certainly isn’t himself, and the unlikely bunch – also including the powerful daughter Sdenka (Ariane Labed) and younger sibling Piotr (Vassili Schneider) – are forced to negotiate what happens next.
Sdenka, a powerful and determined daughter
The film works as a full-on earthy experience that brings the audience full-on into an ancient tradition that stretches right back to legends told at the fireside. Not wasting a minute of its hour and a half run time, it offers a feast for fans of gothic melodrama. Some thrills and scares are there as well, expertly presenting a folk story that at once respects the source material while having plenty of fun with it.
The Vourdalak family, struggling to cope with their dark secret
In conclusion, The Vourdalak is a bloody good time, and I highly recommend it to fans of horror and fantasy. With its rich atmosphere, well-developed characters, and expertly crafted narrative, it’s a must-see for anyone looking for a thrilling ride.
