PIHM: 5 Very Different On-Screen Carmilla Adaptations by Jamie Zaccaria
The lesbian vampire genre is one of the oldest film categories with one of the strongest cult followings in cinema. Many of the films that make up this genre are inspired - either directly or indirectly - by the famous 1872 gothic novella Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. The story, which predates the more-famous Dracula, is about a mysterious young woman who preys on innocent girls in more ways than one. Below I’ve collected five very different (but, in my opinion, very worthy) on-screen adaptations of this queer horror classic.
Carmilla (2019): Realism in Horror
I absolutely loved this on-screen version of Carmilla (starring Hannah Rae and Devrim Lingnau) because of its realism. Like many popular folk horror films of the last decade, this one relies on quiet storytelling and intense acting to pull off the ambiguous story. This is a much more subtle version of the tale, and whether or not Carmilla is actually a vampire - or just a young woman stifled under the patriarchy and jealousy - is left up to the audience to decide.
Carmilla (2014-2016): Web Series/Gay Awakening
The Carmilla web series was a revolutionary queer awakening for many yet-to-come-out sapphics of the generation. This series breathed new life into the old story by changing the setting to a college campus, adding quirky side characters, and releasing the story bit by bit. Fans were delighted when Laura and Carmilla (played by Elise Bauman and Natasha Negovanlis, respectively) returned for a sequel film in 2017.
The Blood Spattered Bride (1972): Breaking the Mold
While the ’70s were awash in campy lesbian vampire films, the 1972 Spanish film The Blood Spattered Bride stands out for being a great film and for its strong stance rejecting the genre’s misogyny. While it contains its fair share of exploitative shots of women’s bodies and gore, it has achieved semi-cult status due to its underlying messages. Susan (Maribel Martín), a young bride, finds solace in the arms of a mysterious woman (Alexandra Bastedo) while attempting to escape the increasingly odd sexual behavior of her new husband (Simón Andreu). She is seduced by a vampire (Carmilla, of course), and together they go on a nasty spree of violence. The film ends much less predictably than you’d expect.
The Moth Diaries: Guilty Pleasure Modernization
I know many people dislike this noughties modern-day retelling of the Carmilla tale, but I can’t help but have a soft spot for it. Based on a book that I also loved (The Moth Diaries, 2002), Laura and Carmilla meet at a boarding school. This time, however, it is a new character named Rebecca (played by Sarah Bolger) who we view the situation from. Rebecca grapples with her own demons while jealousy rears its ugly head as new girl Carmilla (who may or may not be a vampire) seemingly steals away her best friend, Laura.
The Vampire Lovers (1970): Faithful(ish) Adaptation
If you’re wondering which of the popular 70’s lesbian vampire films is the most faithful to the original Carmilla tale, it’s probably 1970’s The Vampire Lovers starring fan-favorite Ingrid Pitt as Carmilla. Following the trend of the decade, this film includes queer villains that are incredibly fetishized and almost always overcome by manhood’s power. However, it’s a classing Hammer Horror watch and a must-see for those diving into the genre.
By Jamie Zaccaria
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