6) Stakeland (2010)
Nosferatu is one of the most celebrated horror films of all-time, but more recent vampire movies have lost some of that initial bite… urgh, I know. I’m sorry. Anyway, thanks to the likes of Twilight, the creatures of the night have become a bit of a running joke in horror circles, but director Jim Mickle has helped reverse the tide with his indie film Stake Land.
In a unique spin on traditional mythology, Mickle approaches vampires in a similar vein to zombies, crafting a post-apocalyptic tale of a vampire hunter’s journey across America in search of a safe haven. Unusually, the star of the film also co-wrote the script, so naturally, characterization sits at the forefront of Stake Land. Despite a small budget, the filmmakers successfully create moments of tension precisely because you’re actually encouraged to care about these characters, a shocking rarity for low-budget horror.
It’s going to take more than a well-made vampire film like Stake Land to reverse the damage that Twilight has done, but it’s a start.
Good work team.