Starring: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Tim Thomerson
Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow
Written By: Kathryn Bigelow, Eric Red

The rugged vampire film often follows a very overused formula that has a certain element of fun, using vampire standards, but generally they are overly dry and don't do anything new or exciting. "Near Dark" is one of the very few exceptions to this. It doesn't consume itself with images of tough vampires or vampire hunters, even though we do end up with very dirty and gritty vampires. The film doesn't define itself on this alone though, balancing itself between scummy characters and characters we can genuinely care for. We also get themes of love and sacrifice, and realistic vampiric actions and behaviors, hinting on humanistic similarities.

When Caleb (Pasdar) meets Mae (Wright), the two hit it off and flirting ensues. However, she suddenly is in a panic to leave. He finds out this is because of her fear of the sun turning her to dust. Caleb soon finds himself in a world of trouble. The group of rough criminals she associates with turn out to be a clan of vampires. However, since Mae bit Caleb, she manages to save him from being killed by her friends. Caleb slowly becomes more and more like one of them only to his own terror. He has to kill to survive and has to blend in with this new rough, murderous crowd around him. Caleb isn't sure if anyone can save him from this fate now. He still fights to preserve his own humanity with the help of his father (Thomerson), as well as Mae who becomes quite special to him.

The vampires here really aren't overdone and don't play to any stereotype or set standard. They are intimidating, power hungry, and evil, yet not that much more so than they were most likely before they turned into vampires. It is suggested that this clan started the monstrous Chicago fire that took thousands of lives. Humans could have done this and in their human lives they most likely victimized their fellow man in similar ways. These vampires are very much outlaws and outcasts, not even bothering to try to blend in to society unless it is just a form of trickery to reel in their prey. This goes against most vampire films. While the idea of undead blood suckers being in the midst of humans without them having any idea is somewhat frightening, there is no reason that vampires would have to try to blend in. They are much more powerful, faster, and everlasting than any human and shouldn't have to even pretend to fit into their standards. The vampires here don't even let their weakness of sunlight stop them. They travel in a van covered in tin foil to keep the sunlight out, so they can always be on the road.

"Near Dark" is a gritty vampire film, a road movie, a simple love story, a western, and a tale of the bond of family, all in one. The setting really adds a lot to the film, especially for the vampire clan. It takes the idea of vampires always being on the run and not letting sunlight limit that, while also using the themes of family as those that are there for you. The clan is one family and Caleb's human family is the traditional one. The question is whether the clan will take the place of the old one. The atmosphere also gives us this very desolate area, completely open, thus nowhere for the victims to really hide. The desert like, hot environment also is a disadvantage to the vampires and seems to play an element in Mae's panic in the beginning. It adds a certain simplicity to the characters that are in this setting, making them seem more real and thus engaging to the viewer.

The cast does great here as well and helps make the film all the more enjoyable. Jenny Wright as Mae is really the one who stands out the most to me. At first sight, she has this southern bell, simple, kind hearted girl persona to her. Wright develops this character more as the film goes on, showing her growth. She proves to have both a tortured side at mercy as well as a powerful and vicious vixen in her. In the end, she's very easy to care about and her interactions with Caleb played by "Heroes" star, Adrian Pasdar, makes his character more likeable as well. He doesn't stand out as one of the best actors here, but he plays the innocent man very well, even as he struggles with the concept of killing to survive. Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, and Joshua John Miller all are captivating and crooked as the vicious vampires, spouting out their share of black comedy.

Despite being a better vampire film than most, the word "vampire" isn't actually ever used, although that is very clearly what these creatures are. The film becomes much more realistic because of this. It doesn't even bother to label them with the word let alone be confined to the formulaic nature that most follow. The film does have a few flaws here and there and it is far from perfect. There are moments that are cheesy, but in the context it's a fun, tasteful cheesiness. A darker ending could have made it a more chilling film, but it doesn't define itself by one aspect. The ending it goes with works and is sweet, bringing a sense of sanity back to the characters. "Near Dark" is a great representation of a vampire film full of strength that is intriguing on many elements of the story. It may be one of the few vampire movies with a romantic nature that both men and women can enjoy. It is told from the perspective of Caleb, which is unique as the male being taken in by the female vampire. Also, it allows us to look at these vampires both through him as a victim and potentially one of them. We get to see them from the outside as well as a little more intimately. The clan members, aside from Mae being such a big part of the movie, make it a more appealing film for a wider audience, giving everyone something in this hybrid of a film.