From the depths of darkness ventures Johnny Depp—a vampire.

The film begins with a backstory of Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), explaining his family history and the tragic events that led to his transformation. The story is told with a comedic touch, though the backstory noticeably focuses on Barnabas’ father while strangely neglecting his mother, as if she were unimportant (which, given the time period, is sadly unsurprising). After imparting a lesson about “family first,” Barnabas’ father fades from the narrative, shifting the focus entirely onto his son.

From there, the film revolves around Barnabas and his complex love-hate relationship with Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green), a witch who makes her power known early in the film. Out of jealousy, Angelique curses Barnabas after he falls in love with another woman, ultimately leading to his lover’s tragic death. Heartbroken and unable to live without her, Barnabas follows her to his supposed demise—only to awaken as a vampire, cursed by Angelique.

Following this dramatic opening, the film quickly shifts into a more comedic tone. One of the funniest moments is when Barnabas awakens from his two-century slumber and, bewildered by the modern world, reacts to a McDonald’s sign with hilarious confusion.

The main story centers on Barnabas’ quest to restore his family’s business and reunite the Collins family—all except his scumbag father. Meanwhile, he must also contend with Angelique, who is determined to seduce and control him. He seems powerless against her until the climax, when things take a serious turn.

A rather unexpected twist emerges regarding the daughter, Carolyn, but Angelique later provides an explanation that, while abrupt, manages to make sense.

As always, Johnny Depp delivers his signature style—his drunken, exaggerated body movements, priceless facial expressions, and old-fashioned dialogue make the film all the more entertaining.

Notable Performances:

• Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) – She plays the role brilliantly, bringing depth to the character. Her backstory, likely taken from the original 1966 TV series, adds richness to her portrayal.

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1966 Series Summarized:

Elizabeth Collins was the eldest child of the wealthy Collins family of Collinsport, Maine. Over the objections of her father, Jamison, and younger brother, Roger, she married Paul Stoddard and together they had a daughter Carolyn.

One night in 1949, she caught Paul in the act of stealing a large part of her inheritance from her father and trying to leave town. She hit Paul over the head with a fire poker and buried him in the basement with the help of Paul’s best friend, Jason McGuire. The next day she fired all the servants and hired the floor sweeper from her cannery to work as a handyman. She did not leave her home, Collinwood, for 18 years, until Jason McGuire returned and tried to blackmail her into marriage. Instead, she confessed to the crime in her wedding gown and lead the police to the burial site, only to find out that Paul was not killed and he and Jason concocted a plan to fool Elizabeth.

Elizabeth ran the family home where she lived with Carolyn, Roger, and Roger’s son, David. She was generally unaware of the fantastic nature of many members of the household, including the vampire next door (an ancestor named Barnabas), Roger’s two wives – an undead Phoenix and the witch who was married to Barnabas until he murdered her in 1795, a werewolf (Cousin Quentin), and her son-in-law who was the leader of a race of undead demons from outer space.

• Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter) – A doctor who secretly attempts to turn herself into a vampire by transfusing Barnabas’ blood.
• Willie Loomis (Jackie Earle Haley) – Barnabas’ loyal servant, hypnotized into eternal servitude.
• Roger Collins (Jonny Lee Miller) – David Collins’ selfish father, who eventually abandons his son for money.
• Victoria Winters / Josette DuPres (Bella Heathcote) – The woman Barnabas falls for, as she closely resembles his lost love. Heathcote plays the role convincingly.
• Carolyn Stoddard (Chloë Grace Moretz) – The rebellious daughter who, in a surprising reveal, turns out to be spoiler a werewolf.
• David Collins (Gulliver McGrath) – Roger’s son, who can still communicate with his deceased mother, whom Angelique murdered.

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And yes, Alice Cooper actually appears in this film.

If you enjoy Johnny Depp, comedic vampires, and a complicated love story, Dark Shadows is worth a watch.