David Bowie in a vampire film? It was meant to be! Tony Scott is best known for his action film ventures, but this - one of his earliest and most overlooked works - is best defined, perhaps, as an erotic thriller of sorts... with vampires. To tell his story of a doomed romance shared between a doctor and two vampires, then, Scott sought out David Bowie to play a vampire cellist from the 19th century (because who else do you get to play a vampire cellist from the 19th century?), and Catherine Deneuve, who plays his lover. Throw Susan Sarandon into the mix, playing the aforementioned doctor specialising in sleep studies, and you've got yourself a rather intriguing trio. The Hunger was derided on its original release and attacked for having more style than substance, and too much violence. In retrospect, these criticisms feel more like strengths, cementing Scott's film as a properly strange and moody '80s curio. As an attempt to do something different - something classy, even - this film is a bold and captivating effort.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
