The Unwritten Rules of Vampire Movies

Many people are fans of vampire movies, but do not realize that they are all linked by certain rules. Through an exploration of these unwritten rules, we can have a better understanding of one of the most popular subgenres of horror.

Origin

The original origin of the vampire curse is usually Europe. While many of the modern vampire movies have the main vampire as being an American, it is understood that the origin originally came from Europe.

This plays on xenophobia, the fear of anything foreign. The vampire also represents the old country beliefs and fears that gave us the legends in the first place. Realizing that our grandparents might be correct in their old beliefs can scare many of us.

First Death

In most modern vampire movies, the first death in the movie plays out before the opening credits are run across the screen. This is to get the viewer into the action and the horror before the traditional start to the movie.

Black Clothing

Ever since Bela Lugosi first played the part of Dracula, black clothing has always played a significant role in vampire lore, and in vampire movies. While there is not a connection to legend that states that the vampire has to wear black clothing, it has been connected in our minds.

The emergence of the Goth, and Vampire subcultures in our country has progressed this issue further. It has become noticeable in all vampire movies that the villain either wears all black, or will predominantly wear black.

This is a connection to the old western movies when it was pushed that the bad guys always wear black. It is also a reference to the night, which is the realm of the vampire. The darkness instigates fear, and so does the black clothing.

Fangs

Vampire fangs did not become a prominent fixture until the Hammer House vampire movies first came out. It has become a rule that the vampire must have fangs to bite their victims. In most cases, the fangs are retractable.

Claws

One of the old traditions of vampires is that they have claws. This was mostly a Romanian and Russian belief, but it has made way into popular culture in the fact that most movie vampires now have retractable claws.

Virgins