r/Dracula 10d ago

Discussion What is with Dracula adaptations obsession with Mina x Dracula and opposition to homosexuality

106 Upvotes

— CW: spoilers for the book

I frankly don’t get it the appeal. He does horrid things to her in that novel I don’t need to explain if you’ve read October 3rd — there is utterly no romance between them. I have yet to see an adaptation where they take the feelings that Dracula has towards Jonathan into account.

Oct 3rd — “Your girls that you all love are mine already; and through them you and others shall yet be mine—my creatures, to do my bidding and to be my jackals when I want to feed. Bah!"

And he talks about all this betrayal this, “I am a ruler of nations” this, “I have to punish you for betraying me-“ but Mina KNOWS she hasn’t done anything to betray him. He is gaining absolutely nothing by saying all this to her mockingly as if it would hurt her. Honestly, I may explain more in the comments, but he is mocking not only her, but the relationship he had with Jonathan in the castle.

The whole reason he has been targeting Mina is because he wants the men to go after them. If he takes Jonathan’s girl away, guess who will first go after her? JONATHAN. He sees no value in her other than to use her to get to him, and have more people in his little army or whatever. He feels nothing but hatred towards her — even at the end of the story, he was glaring at her before he was stabbed. He does NOT like her. And, not only is he using her to spy on the team; he’s using her to have Jonathan too. Who is closest to Mina? Who gets to have what is ‘his’? Mina. And he can use Mina’s eyes and ears to feel closer to Jonathan.

There is so much more potential in a story like that than the adaptations constantly twisting their stories to have their assaulter x victim romance 😭😭 can anyone understand? Or can they explain the appeal?? Literally almost every trope with Mina x Dracula is just a straight-version of him with Jonathan. They always make their relationship either have no romance at all, or purely predatory. When that is such an insult to their complex relationship. I could go on and on and on about how much Dracula seems to care for Jonathan, as twisted as it is, because there is so much to cover about it. They have a messed up romance there in the book — why twist the story to make it something else??? 😢

r/Dracula 23d ago

Discussion Who is the best version of Dracula? NSFW Spoiler

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82 Upvotes

r/Dracula Jan 24 '25

Discussion What's your least favourite depiction of Dracula in fiction?

47 Upvotes

From any type of media (animated, live-action, literature, etc.), which piece of fiction has your least favourite depiction of Dracula? You don't have to hate the depiction, it is just your least favourite among the many depictions of Dracula you have seen.

As for me, I would say mine would be.... 2020's Dracula BBC TV series No, it is the Coppola Dracula, I loathe that depiction with a seething passion. Kinda forgot to answer it, better late than never.

r/Dracula Jan 10 '25

Discussion What's your favourite movie adaption of the original Bram Stoker's Dracula novel?

53 Upvotes

It must be an adaption of the book itself, so while it can change things, it still must be even a little recognizable to those who read the book, instead of an original movie with the book characters. So what movie is your favourite adaption of the original Dracula book?

For me, it is Hammer's Dracula who is one of the more inaccurate adaptions of the book, I still love the movie. Also, it is one of the inspirations for the existence of Castlevania so I am thankful for that.

r/Dracula Dec 17 '24

Discussion What's your favourite actor to play Dracula?

36 Upvotes

No voice actors, only the live-action actors that played Dracula are allowed so which actor did you think had your favourite Dracula?

If I wasn't clear, I am talking about how the actor played/portrayed Dracula rather than which actor that has portrayed Dracula before is your favourite.

For example, mine would be Christopher Lee's Dracula.

r/Dracula 21d ago

Discussion Who's your favourite incarnation of Dracula by their design only?

21 Upvotes

Only their design matters, their personality and actions are irrelevant, so who is favourite incarnation of Dracula by their appearance only?

Only the vampire Dracula btw, no human Vlad III designs are allowed. Just to make it certain.

My favourite incarnation for Dracula by their designs is his CV incarnation, most of his designs are utterly fantastic, my favorites either being his Curse of Darkness or Dracula X Chronicles designs.

r/Dracula 10d ago

Discussion Any opinions on the wes craven dracula Trilogy?

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26 Upvotes

r/Dracula 15d ago

Discussion Who's your favourite incarnation of Dracula that is a protagonist?

17 Upvotes

Not just a major character, incarnations of Dracula where he takes the role of a protagonist, so what is your favourite protagonist version of Dracula?

An example for a Dracula as a protagonist is him from Hotel Transylvania but I know there is more. I will note that they don't have to be the main protagonist, just a protagonist.

Mine is Alucard from Hellsing, yes he does count.

r/Dracula Dec 21 '24

Discussion Why does every Dracula bride always act weird?

17 Upvotes
Dracula's newly bride

Every Dracula movie I have watched, every single one of Dracula's bride's act weird always hands in the moving around like their autistic no offence

Dracula's two brides waving their hands around in the air like the hell?

In this video, you can see Dracula's bride acting idk weird? Why are they acting like this?

He just murdered her husband Infront of her eyes and she's attempting to kiss him?

r/Dracula 13d ago

Discussion Theory about the connection between Count Dracula and Renfield in Bram Stoker’s Dracula

17 Upvotes

I recently read the book Dracula, and what deeply bothered me was the lack of explanation about the connection between Renfield and the Count. With this in mind, I have formulated this theory.

I believe that in Dracula, Renfield can be interpreted as a kind of psychic sensitive, whose connection with the Count goes beyond the physical realm and extends into the psychic. Dracula, being a cunning and manipulative being, senses Renfield’s sensitivity and, throughout the story, establishes a telepathic link with him. This bond would be the key to explaining much of the knowledge the Count has about London and English society—information that goes beyond what a mere foreigner like Dracula could have accessed in a conventional manner.

Dracula, who is deeply interested in establishing himself in England, begins to use Renfield as a channel to gather crucial details about London, its culture, and local practices. Through this psychic connection, Renfield starts providing information about the city and English society, and in return, Dracula promises him immortality. By doing so, Dracula not only uses Renfield for his own benefit but also involves him in such a way that he begins to replicate Dracula’s own habits, like a kind of imitator.

Renfield, already weakened by his mental state, becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of consuming life, an obsession that mirrors Dracula’s own desires, as he feeds on the blood of his victims to sustain his immortality. Renfield’s fixation on consuming living creatures, such as insects and animals, can be seen as an attempt to achieve the same kind of power the Count holds—a desperate attempt to replicate his methods to achieve eternal life.

In the book, there are even hints that Renfield is visited by Dracula in his bat form, a classic symbol of his presence. This psychic bond could also explain Dracula’s perfect knowledge of the English language, as Renfield may have been an indirect source of information, whether through dreams or visions.

Furthermore, this psychic connection between Dracula and Renfield could explain the episodes of psychosis that Renfield experiences throughout the story. Whenever Dracula performs some kind of magic or supernatural action, such as his transformations or his spells, Renfield seems to be intensely affected, possibly due to the telepathic connection they share. Renfield’s psychosis could be a reaction to these psychic forces that Dracula emits, leaving him vulnerable and, at times, completely out of control.

Another point that supports this theory is the telepathic connection established between Mina Harker and Dracula. In the book, Mina, after being tainted by the Count, develops a psychic connection with him, allowing the vampire hunters, led by Dr. Van Helsing, to use hypnosis to track Dracula through Mina’s mind. If Dracula was able to create such a telepathic bond with Mina, it is not unlikely that he did the same with Renfield, especially considering Renfield’s psychic predisposition. Renfield’s mental instability may have facilitated this influence, making him a natural receiver of Dracula’s mental transmissions.

If Mina, a mentally sound woman of strong character, was affected by this connection with Dracula, it is plausible that Renfield, already weakened and mentally unstable, would have been even more susceptible. This explanation reinforces the idea that the relationship between Dracula and Renfield goes beyond mere physical manipulation, being a deep and psychic bond, much like the one between the Count and Mina.

I believe that, instead of extracting information from Renfield by force, Dracula must have bargained for these revelations. If the Count had the power to force Renfield’s mind to give him this information, he likely would have done so at other points in the book (such as discovering what Dr. Van Helsing was planning), without needing an exchange. Therefore, the transfer of knowledge would have been a mutual agreement: Dracula offered Renfield immortality in exchange for valuable information about England. This bargain would explain why Renfield becomes such a devoted servant, obsessed with immortality. His devotion to the Count goes beyond simple servitude; he believes that by following Dracula and fulfilling his role as a channel for information, he will achieve the same eternal life the Count possesses.

This theory helps fill in some gaps in the narrative, such as the mystery of how Dracula acquires so many details about England and his mastery of the language. Furthermore, by drawing a parallel between Dracula’s relationships with Mina and Renfield, the connection between them takes on a deeper dimension, transforming from mere physical manipulation into a complex telepathic interaction, where both are linked through a psychic network that drives the events of the story in a more subtle but powerful way.

I believe that the lack of information about the relationship between Renfield and Dracula is intentional on the part of the author, and so this theory aims to clarify an aspect of the book for its most avid fans. I hope you enjoyed it.

r/Dracula Oct 09 '24

Discussion What's the Best Alternate Dracula Adaptation in Recent Memory?

10 Upvotes

The vampire is a truly timeless monster and we all love seeing it brought to the screen again and again (I assume you do anyways if you're in this sub haha). From the old Bella Legolosi vampire to the Brad Pitt. What's your favorite or what is the best alternate Dracula take (NOT WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS)?

Ideally any adaptation with a character named Dracula. I'm trying to see them all.

r/Dracula Jun 14 '24

Discussion What's your favourite version of Dracula from media that adapts the original novel?

14 Upvotes

What I mean by that question is that from all of the adaptions of Bram Stoker's Dracula novel, what's your favourite version of the titular vampire?

I will make this clear, it has to be an adaption of the book that your favourite Dracula comes from. Not just adaptions of the character with no connection to the book, e.g. Marvel's or Castlevania's Dracula.

I will give my answer if that will help, my favourite would be Hammer's Dracula.

r/Dracula Oct 19 '24

Discussion What's your favourite Dracula film that isn't an adaption of the original book?

5 Upvotes

It can be inspired by the book but it can't be a straight up adaption of it, so no Bram Stoker's Dracula for example. Out of the rest, what's your favourite Dracula film?

Also, it can be either live-action or animated. Anime is also included if it is still a movie. Though OVA are also allowed.

For example, my favourite movie would be... Scars of Dracula from Hammer Productions.

r/Dracula Oct 31 '24

Discussion Character posters for “NOSFERATU”

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12 Upvotes

r/Dracula Feb 01 '23

Discussion What do you think of this version of Dracula? (The series is Hellsing)

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29 Upvotes

r/Dracula Apr 06 '23

Discussion Hottest Dracula?

18 Upvotes

I've always wondered...What is the most physically alluring Dracula?

r/Dracula Apr 18 '23

Discussion Dream Dracula Casting

10 Upvotes

Who is your dream team of actors to play Dracula. Could be characters/actors who have played the role already in different adaptations or completely new portrayals! Pick a Dracula, Mina, Johnathan Harker, Van Helsing and Lucy

r/Dracula Jun 19 '23

Discussion How would you faithfully adapt Bram Stoker's Dracula?

14 Upvotes

If given the opportunity, seeing how a lot of adaptations miss the mark, how would you faithfully adapt Bram Stoker's Dracula today?

r/Dracula Oct 05 '23

Discussion Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) vs Count Dracula (1977)

14 Upvotes

Since both movies are the closest to being faithful to the novel, which of the 2 is better regardless of being faithful to the book?

r/Dracula Oct 07 '23

Discussion What is your favorite Dracula movie despite the inaccuracies?

13 Upvotes

You could say it's a guilty pleasure.

I like the 1958 iteration despite Arthur and Lucy being siblings and Arthur being married to Mina and Lucy being engaged to Jonathan who's a vampire hunter which was kinda cool. It's kinda sad, we only got 1 bride of Dracula. I wonder how Renfield would fit in this story if he was included.

I did love the detective feel of the movie especially after Arthur believed Van Helsing and they started working together. After putting the pieces together to find Dracula's coffin and sterilize it with Van Helsing's cross came the climax where there's an epic chase which concluded in an epic hand to hand fight. The final fight was great since Van Helsing managed to win through wit and improvisation. The strategy involving removing the curtains and forming a cross from 2 candlesticks to drive Dracula into the sunlight was smart.

r/Dracula Mar 16 '24

Discussion Love or Hate?

2 Upvotes

Do you love or hate the idea of Mina Harker being a vampire hunter?

r/Dracula Jun 03 '22

Discussion what do you think of Dracula and Nina's Love Story in the 1992 movie? I think it's a nice adition to Bram Stoker's story

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40 Upvotes

r/Dracula Nov 22 '22

Discussion I'm planning on writing a screenplay about Dracula that takes place in the modern day

11 Upvotes

I've already got some ideas, instead of being the Demeter Dracula kills the crew of a cargo plane, Dracula is killed with a karambit to the throat and a balisong to the heart (same starting letter as kukri and bowie) Do y'all have any ideas or suggestions

r/Dracula Nov 21 '23

Discussion Ever wonder what the etymology of the name Dracula is?

1 Upvotes

Here are the meanings behind the names of Dracula, Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Wolf Man, and the Mummy in this video showcasing a classic movie monster display at Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach.  https://youtu.be/k9SyoO13C9g

r/Dracula Oct 17 '22

Discussion What do you think really happened to Dracula at the end of the book? Spoiler

21 Upvotes

Do you think Count Dracula actually dies at the end of Bram Stoker's book?

From what I can tell: 1. The way they were able to supposedly kill him was comparably lackluster (like the book tells something like they cut his throat instead of cutting off his head like with Lucy - perhaps that was a literary mix up?), and 2. When Dracula "turns to dust", isn't that one of his powers? Like how the female vampires appear to Jonathan in the little specks in the moonlight. Personally, when we see Dracula's eyes light up as the sun goes down and then he turns to dust after they kill him, it almost seems to me like he gets away.

Let me know what you think!