i'll never be a lesbian vampire and i am sad

Arthouse meets Grindhouse. 

Daughters of Darkness transcends its vampire genre trappings (they’re in the movie, just not at the forefront) for a more psychological and psychosexual approach—plunging us headfirst into hyper-stylized gothic evil fever dream territory. Wonderful direction, an extremely tense score, lush cinematography, and desire fueled performances (Delphine Seyrig channeling Marlene Dietrich and Andrea Rau are magnificent) elevate this erotic vamp nightmare of Kubrickian proportions to god level status for me—this is 100% my jam and might be my favorite vampire film.

I have a new kink, and that kink is psycho-sexual, vampiric Euro-horror. Jeanne Dielman as an immortal, blood-sucking seductress? Don’t mind if I do. Invoking the very best of Dietrich? Sign me right up. Leaving you gasping for air in soft-focus and chiffon? I’m blushing just thinking about it.

It’s cheap trash. But it’s the good kind of cheap trash, you know? Horny vampire flicks FTW.

I watched this as part of the Joe Bob Briggs Last Drive In and how how how have I never seen this beautiful movie before?? It’s about vampires, it’s 70’s, it’s got a great gothic atmosphere, it’s surreal, it’s basically everything I love in a movie from this time period so thank you Joe Bob for making me watch this amazingness.

It’s probably a 5 star movie, but I passed out for a bit during the 4th movie and stayed that way until after this started so I’ll hold off on that rating until I’ve seen it in its entirety without the breaks for JBB which of course I’m love love loving.

Even viewed in a 1080p stream the new Blue Underground 4K restoration is eye-popping.

Killer soundtrack too. I made a playlist from Who Sampled or one of those sites like that a bit back of all of the hip hop tracks that sample it (and are on Spotify)
open.spotify.com/playlist/7EzE8Uvb81k7YpEB9TRDeD?si=bubbDxLERiGQqaeODXPpXw&utm_source=copy-link

Why didn't anybody tell me there was a lesbian vampire movie starring Jeanne Dielman as Elizabeth Bathory?????

Only four stars -- not enough misandry for my liking

When Delphine Seyrig appeared in that two-tone silver dress, outlining her figure as though each bedazzling sequin were pasted directly onto her skin, she was incredibly stunning. The brilliance of her presence could not be contained by the camera, sequins flared like supernovae across the lens, and I could not look at her for too long in the same way that one cannot stare too long at the sun. Delphine Seyrig is the purring evil at the centre of this film, and when combined with the stunning cinematography this really is a masterpiece of euro-horror. I am glad I have finally been able to catch up with it.

After reading that tagline and the plot synopsis, I went into this thinking it was going to be something akin to a Jean Rollin or a Jess Franco movie. I am sad to say that Daughters wasn't anything like that at all.

The movie looks pretty enough, sure, but it was just so devoid of likeable characters. I couldn't sympathise with anyone. Their motivations seemed alien somehow. Also, the dialogue felt extremely clunky to me.

I don't know, there is obviously more to this movie, but I just couldn't connect with it. Perhaps it was because I went into this with the wrong expectations.

Maybe my opinion will change upon rewatch, so I will hold off rating it until then.

The mesmerizing Delphine Seyrig carries this tale of seduction and abuse. Stately, quiet, and sexy horror.

Turns out I’m super into early 70s European psychosexual horror, especially when it’s a lesbian revenge film draped in gothic vampire trappings. This is so, so good.

Gorgeous cinematography, wardrobe and production design. The older vampire lady reminded me of my grandma lol. Kind of play-like, in a good way. There were some scenes that went on a long time but never got boring. Beautiful exercise in building organic, believable tension.

The horror here is nihilistic, yet shot in soft focus with a romantic sheen.

The isolated hotel central to the story exists somewhere on the continuum between the Overlook and the Grand Budapest; it also sure does help that it all takes place in the dead of winter.

The character of Elizabeth (played by Delphine Seyrig of JEANNE DIELMAN) is our Mistress of Fate, wrapping both the audience and the central characters in her web of intrigue and mysterious majesty; she is utterly magnetic.

In one scene, a body is dropped on the ground with a barely audible thud. The entire film, moreover, manifests a quiet and delicate brutality. This is a giallo film that is whispered through a sheet, gliding through the house in her evening gown.

Amazing final shot of Bathory

I have a strong urge to listen to Portishead now???

Fits

How can a film with Delphine Seyrig as a lesbian vampire be so goddamn boring?

Daughters of Darkness is one long ass needle pulling it’s thread ever so lightly just so it can lure you onto it’s surprisingly satisfying pro feminist conclusion. It feels like it’s mocking it’s audience as well — in a good way. It made having to sit through this, while you’re guessing what is being done plot wise behind the scenes, all the more worth it. Give it go and sink your teeth!

Streaming on Criterion Channel.

I happen to have been to Ostend recently just to see the sea for a couple of hours, a mid-confinement treat, and I was intrigued at the choice of having the film set there, it has such a strong middle-of-nowhere-in-Europe feel, specially in the winter, and I think that works great here. Also enjoyed a certain bathroom scene, and it’s nice to see Delphine Seyrig.

Other than that, to me this film was like a painfully meandering soap opera. Sadly didn’t find it as captivating as many seem to, or nearly as exciting as a 70’s lesbian vampire flick might suggest.

Streamed on Criterion Channel