Draculais one of the most famous fictional figures ever created, ever since Bram Stoker’s original novel published back in 1897.The infamous vampirehas inspired countless portrayals over the years, be they in films, TV, or video games. Many stories have captured the theatricality inherent in the count. Others have delved into the tragedy of the character’s past and his immortal existence.
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What’s tricky in this day and age is portraying the fear that imposes. With such an iconic and often-parodied figure, it’s hard to regain the menace he once had. Thankfully, a precious few have managed to pull it off. Meanwhile, some older versions transcend the decades and continue to instill terror in audiences.
10Claes Bang – Dracula (2020)
The writing for thisBBCminiseries may be self-indulgant; it’s unfortunately what audiences have come to expect fromSherlockcreators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. Thankfully, Claes Bang transcends the pretentiousness with a multifaceted performance worthy of Bram Stoker’s classic novel.
He starts as the creepy old man with no social skills, but he soon transforms into an upright gentleman, his delivery becoming more matter-of-fact. He maintains this charm throughout, which is oddly effective with such sinister lines. After all, the scariest serial killers are often the ones who seem normal.
9Peter Stormare – The Batman Vs. Dracula
One of the more overlooked portrayals of the Prince of Darkness appropriately comes from an overlooked show in the Dark Knight’s pantheon,The Batman. It’s hard to stand out amongGotham’s costumed freaks, but Dracula (and Stormare) distinguishes himself as a uniquely unsettling presence among them.
His thick accent carries a palpable exoticism, and the slow delivery is both enigmatic and vaguely sensual. He never breaks this verbal composure, giving him a measured menace that overpowers everyone else in the scene. Is he scarier thanBatman? Absolutely.
8Klaus Kinski – Nosferatu The Vampyre
What strikes viewers about this performance (and the movie as a whole) is how quiet it is. Kinski isn’t in-your-face or emotionally primal like most other Draculas. In fact, he rarely summons up any emotion at all.
His hollow voice and slow, spider-like movements truly give the impression of a dead man walking. This is further cemented by the minimalist sound design. Oftentimes, what should be silence is overcome by the sound of his raspy breathing. Few vampirescreep audiences out this much by their very presence.
7Robert Carlyle – The Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow Series
Starting asone of the heroic Belmont clan, Gabriel’s misfortune eventuallyfueled his descent into darkness, resulting in his becoming Dracula. Naturally, pain permeates this performance, and that pain leads to great anger. The universe screwed him, so he takes great pleasure lashing out in kind.
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Throughout theCastlevaniareboot series, Carlyle gets this across through a mocking, sadistic theatricality, contrasting wildly with his stoicism as Gabriel. Such theatricality would normally seem cartoonish, but viewers can tell it comes from a place of immense sadness and desperation. That’s why it’s so easy to believe him when he gives some grand speech or deadly threat.
6Crispin Freeman – Hellsing
Most versions of Dracula kill because of their primal instinct or need, resenting their vampiric limitations. Alucard, on the other hand,loves being a vampire and takes pride in it. This immediately differentiatesHellsing’s rendition from the rest of the Drac pack.
Freeman’s fear factor comes from his unhinged glee. His voice carries a deranged bemusement which is barely contained as he speaks. It leads to an evil laugh that sends shivers down your spine. The great irony is that he’s supposed to be the hero, but he’s more frightening than any of the baddies he snuffs out.
5Max Schreck – Nosferatu
TheCount’s (legally dubious) debutis big on German expressionism and everything that comes with it. The acting in this 1922 film may seem over the top, but it was a staple of the time and style. On the upside, it definitely got the job done when films didn’t have the luxury of sound.
Schreck uses his whole body to tell a story. His stiff posture and grotesque movements seem inhuman, leaving viewers repulsed by his very presence. The silent, black-and-white format only cements the eeriness. Never has the iconic vampire been so convincing as a creature of the night.
4Bela Lugosi – Dracula (1931)
Talk about setting a trend. Lugosi practically defined the role of Dracula, embodying people’s image of the Count even 90 years later. Such notoriety might cause him to come off as stereotypical, but he’sstill every bit as effective.
Lugosi was a theatre actor who played the Count prior, and it shows. He weaves through the lines like he’s playing a musical instrument, placing viewers off-guard while simultaneously drawing them in. Of course, this puts them in proximity with his piercing gaze, which conveys unspeakable evil well beyond his aristocratic exterior. Who needs fangs with a stare like that?
3Graham McTavish – Castlevania (TV Series)
Easily the most vengeful Dracula on the list, the Vlad Tepes of this TV show seeks to wipe out the world after his wife is burned at the stake.Thanks to McTavish, audiences definitely feel that need for vengeance in all of its layers.
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He captures both the seething hatred and uncontrollable rage, but most impactful is the crushing depression. All of these paint Dracula as someone who just doesn’t care anymore. Few things are more dangerous than someone with no inhibitions, as they’re capable of anything.
2Jonathan Rhys Meyers – Dracula (2013 TV Series)
This Dracula remains incognito as a brazen industrialist. As such, he carries the charisma to enrapture an entire room. Underneath it, of course, lies a disarming intensitywhich Meyers has always excelled at.
He can deliver even the most innocuous line with enough biting conviction to throw viewers off.
Even more effective is is his penetrating stare, which works equally well for romance or fear. Never once do audiences doubt his passion in any area, whether he’s attacking his enemies economically, tearing them apart, or trying to regain some fleeting happiness for himself. That kind of laser focus is exceptional enough to be superhuman.
1Christopher Lee – Various
Most actors target one area of Dracula’s character and use that to build fear. After playing the vampire for years, though, Christopher Lee nailed every scary variation conceivable for the Count.
Whether it’s the spiteful, old soul seeking further bloodshed; the enigmatic gentleman charming victims into submission; the merciless Machiavellian manipulating men and women to do his bidding; the crazed creature that only wants to feed — Lee’s done it all. What’s more, he makes each one feel equally natural and intimidating. He’smastered Dracula from numerous perspectives, and that can’t be said about anyone else.
