Netflix’s 2023 Vampire Comedy Shocks with Dark Twist: Fascist Dictator as Bloodsucking Count
Among all the great horror movies on Netflix, a surprisingly hefty amount of its spooky exclusive titles deal with the subject of vampirism. However, the platform has never distributed a vampire movie quite like El Conde, which could also be considered the latest biopic by Spencer and Jackie director Pablo LarraÃn and certainly the one that takes the most liberties so far.
El Conde, which premiered on September 15th on Netflix, coincided with the 50th anniversary of General Augusto Pinochet’s rise to power in Chile. Pinochet served as the authoritarian leader of Chile for a record 17 years until his death in 2006.
This captivating piece of revisionist history presents the infamous dictator, portrayed by Jaime Vadell, as a bloodsucking creature of the night who, after 250 years on Earth, declares that he is ready to die. This announcement attracts the attention of his greedy children. While El Conde is a comedy, it ventures far beyond that genre.
The screenplay for El Conde, written by Pablo LarraÃn and Guillermo Calderón, impressed audiences at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, where it won Best Screenplay according to The New York Times. LarraÃn and Calderón’s script takes a darkly funny approach to historical analysis, using vampirism as a metaphor for fascism and the manipulative power of the vampire as a representation of dictators’ corrupt tendencies. The film’s unique rules for vampirism are explained by a narrator, whose identity is revealed as an example of biting political satire. Despite unsettling themes and moments of gore, El Conde barely resembles a traditional horror film. However, its orchestral soundtrack adds to the frequently unnerving tone and further accentuates the morbid moments.
El Conde, meaning The Count in Spanish, is primarily in Spanish, but viewers can choose to watch the dubbed version in various languages, including English and French. Subtitles are also available in multiple languages for those who prefer to experience the original Spanish audio.
Unlike many horror-comedy movies that lean towards farce, El Conde takes a predominantly earnest and slow-burning approach. Its runtime is just under two hours, perfect for audiences seeking thought-provoking and provocative experiences.
The beautiful black and white cinematography of El Conde showcases the gore and violence depicted, earning the film an R rating. This categorization is supported by strong language, moments of explicit sexual content, graphic nudity, and allusions to sexual assault.
As viewers dive into this unique vampire comedy on Netflix, they should brace themselves for a dark twist that explores fascism and corruption metaphorically. El Conde continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions with its captivating storyline, strong performances, and thought-provoking themes. It’s an enticing addition to Netflix’s growing collection of exclusive horror titles.
