10 Best Horror Movies Set In Medieval Times

A glossy, modern approach to the origin myth of Dracula, this film tells of Vlad the Impaler as a tragic figure who was forced into warfare and butchery by the Turkish Sultan. His choice to become a Vampire, a creature of the night enslaved to the Elder Vampire (played brilliantly by Charles Dance), was to gain the terrifying supernatural powers to drive the Turkish army back from his lands and save his people.

The Elder Vampire warns him that once he drinks the blood of damnation, he has three days and nights before he becomes mortal once again, unless he seals his fate by drinking human blood. If he can resist that terrible thirst for three days, then he will be free. If he cannot, he will be damned forever. As the Turks close in on Transylvania, Vlad's choices will either save his people or lead them into ruin.

While this film has stylish visuals, some great performance moments and a few nifty ideas, it doesn't always strike right. The knowledge of who knows what is and isn't a vampire appears to be only decided by the needs of the plot, and the choice to cast Dominic Cooper as a Turkish Sultan is questionable at best. This film was also meant to kick-start Universal's Dark Universe, a competitor to the MCU, but performed so badly that it was quickly left behind in favour of The Mummy. Which was far, far worse.

This film is then essentially a stand-alone property, hinting at a larger narrative and world of monsters and darkness. Fortunately, it holds up on its own merits and has enough panache to make it memorable.