Near Dark

Bigelow, a competent and versatile director, chalks up a big win in the horror genre by putting a fresh, innovative spin on vampire mythology with her “Near Dark”. It’s clear where she breaks with tradition: she discards any and all traces of the aristocratic heritage and gothic atmosphere of old-school vampire movies to bring a new iconography of Dracula’s “children” to the big screen (the word “vampire” isn’t even mentioned in the film). The new look is somewhat punk with a vibe reminiscent of a biker gang unwilling or unable to cope with society.

Violent, brutal, and as dark as all get-out, the film also shines with its evocative nighttime photography and its perfectly cast actors – Lance Henriksen is extraordinary as always. Its sole flaw is a rushed ending that takes the easy way out (since when can a simple blood transfusion cure vampirism?).

Best scene: the bloody bar massacre.