John Carpenter's Vampires (1998) - Movie Review

John Carpenter delivered his most overlooked and under-appreciated film in 1998. Vampires is a western action movie with incredible practical effects, great characters, and a simple yet stylish approach to the subgenre.
Cody J Leach
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[@WallE878]

The whole opening scene might be my favorite opening scene ever

[@anubusx]

I love his Apocalypse Trilogy.

[@Branchout1097]

John Carpenter made a film about vampires. Alright, I'm sold.

[@yomamma359]

Definitely a hidden gem among Vampire films, a classic rated R film that they don't make a lot anymore 🎬

[@iamthewerebear4837]

This film is a nostalgic one from when I was a kid. I saw it WAY before I should have, but I still love it and I am glad to see that others do as well.

[@chasekemp6915]

The younger priest was the doctor that got bit by the burnt vampire at the beginning of Blade. Then he turns into the zombie type vampire that we see towards the end

[@fiilmfankev]

Both those films came out the same year and it's a great double feature.

[@tekservices8699]

Oh yea! I would never have caught that

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Thank you for pointing this out-the fact that this actor turns up in two different vampire movies is rather impressive.

[@RobDaCajun]

@@tekservices8699 I was this day old when I found this out.

[@kevinkocher9347]

That is him thought he looked familiar

[@Timelord007]

A very underrated Carpenter movie, James Woods is awesome as Jack Crow & scene steals the entire movie. Excellent review Cody.

[@Jerryhen-y2d]

I'm glad i'm not the only one that loves john carpenter's vampire

[@MrBlue3rd]

There is a certain level of nastiness and mean spirited feel that I've always loved in Vampires. James Woods nailed it as Antihero Jack Crow.

[@el_killorcure]

Woods was so realistic (a mercenary like that will most likely be a woman hater, AND sadist) and nasty indeed it sold the movie for me...

[@bergman6581]

I can see NearDark inspiration all over this film. That's why watching these two films back to back is so much fun.

[@musclesforsupes]

I still sing the opening theme music. “Waaaa waaa waa…da da da daaaaaaa. Baaaa waaaa waaa.”

[@brandonschneider3993]

And Cheryl Lee walking down the road covered in blood crossed some wires when I was a kid. She's unbelievable gorgeous in that movie.

[@el_killorcure]

So much that the main vampire, Valek, had to get himself some of that when bitting her... in the crotch...

[@UziNineMillomeetah]

Definitely not a perfect film by any means, but I always love revisiting it once a year. James Woods is badass and is a one-liner machine.

[@shinseijuurou6229]

I watched horror movies since i was a little kid, and all my life there were only two scenes that really scared me to the point of me not being able to sleep or even go into a dark room. Those 2 scenes were: Freddys long arms in the original Nightmare on Helmstreet and Valek destroying the hunters in the beggining of Vampires. I remember being alone in the couch at night, i was like 8, and when he killed the first guy at the door my heart almost burst😅.

[@securityg]

Valek wasn't (D)UCKIN' around. He slaughtered all of them AND he walked to THEM so nonchalantly. - James D Watkins artistic director of Phoenix Productions.

[@ethanholgate2512]

Couldn't agree more Cody John Carpenter's Vampires is the shit and James Woods is freakin awesome

[@JJDrumsChannel]

Spot on review…. I always thought Thomas did an incredible job as valek …. One of the best depictions of Dracula I’ve ever seen…. A seriously underrated gem….i’m glad John carpenter got to make his western movie….

[@nikobrien88]

Fucking love this film. James woods steals the show. "Come on, Padre. My nuts are on fire here!"

[@AnubisConstantine]

my favorite scene is in the beginning when james shoots the head vampire in the head & he screams. That scream is something i’ve always remembered into adulthood

[@lifegood3322]

You've truly made John Carpenter's Vampires Great Again! Thank you! 🎉

[@hitmanhatton]

I love James Woods in this and the rest of the cast was great too... My only problem with it was the pacíng in the middle. The rest of the movie was awesome

[@heed-shot4971]

Nice Cody ! It is always great to know that we are getting great reviews with great arguments and opinions. No bullshit and straight to the point as always ! It's like if you would recommend a movie it is 9 out of 10 times great and amazing !

[@husker4life109]

I watched this for the first time after you listed it on your favorite vampire movies list and it didn’t disappoint

[@BurntheSkyEntertainment]

I always liked this movie. My dad had it on one day I skipped school and watched it with him. I think it was the 3rd Carpenter film I watched ever. Halloween and The Thing were the first 2.

[@angelaholmes8888]

This movie is so underrated definitely one of carpenter's best films to me i watched it when I was a kid

[@kristinebautz1859]

Saw this when i was a kid and been a fan since then. I love when vampires are vampires. They got made into cuddle creatures. I dont mind the human exploration of vampires but nevertheless they are vampires, they are supposed to be monsters. I love when theyre bad ass.❤

[@romangarcia608]

nice review, i’ve always loved this one and i’ve always felt it’s massively slept-on! the scene where the vampires come up out of the ground when the sun goes down is AWESOME!! 👀

[@PonyBoy669]

I’m 43 and never watched Vampires. Watching it now thanks to your rec. nothing like a 90’s movie thanks

[@JacobCorenthose]

If you want another film with James Woods playing a tough guy lead, check out Cop (1988). Great crime film.

[@edwardsanchez3708]

Valek was an awesome Vampire

[@LeoEnigma]

this is actually one of my favorite vampire films of all time

[@XenoTheProducer]

I was so hyped to see this pop up on my feed mate. I can acknowledge that this film has a lot of flaws, but I've always had an absolute blast with it! The score is fantastic and this is unironically one of my favourite performances by James Woods, and some of his dialogue in this is hilarious 😂 It honestly saddens me how under appreciated this movie is.

[@FergieGirlC.0213]

I've always loved this movie, I still have my VHS tape of it and watch it occasionally. It was also my first vampire movie so it will always be a favorite. 🙂

[@thedragonlee76]

Everybody glosses over the part when Jack meets with Cardinal, and he says the European team of Vampire Hunters was wiped out, which means that their are other vampire hunter teams.

[@roderick8167]

Yes ! dude I've been saying it for years John Carpenter's Vampires is his most underrated and underappreciated movie, this movie deserves more love and attention.

[@slimjimnyc270]

This film is based on "Vampire$" by John Steakley and the novel is awesome. He also wrote his version of Starship Trooper called "Armor".

[@wardenmagellan2643]

Cody, please give us a John Carpenter character ranking! Loved this review series!

[@CodyLeachYT]

Coming soon

[@Branchout1097]

Full discloser, I finally saw "John Carpenter's Vampires" and WOW, what a ride!!! Thanks, Cody, for getting me on board. 🤟

[@unreal1066]

@codyleach you should review near dark, if you haven’t already. It’s a solid really good western vampire flick with a really good cast.

[@DrewIsARealBoy]

This was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid

[@NickElliott-dv8vn]

I've got such a fondness for this film and I always will it's just a great film and the music is bad ass, kudos from kiwi land Cody love your content dude.

[@DrewIsARealBoy]

I was an 8 year old going around calling everyone Padre like I had any clue what it meant

[@andrewsreed03]

This is a fab vampire film in my opinion. Well done, John Carpenter 👏

[@southboundtracks]

Saw it opening weekend and had a great time. Underrated.

[@tjk3430]

I love Twitter moonbat James Woods in this. Tim Guinee, who plays Father Adam, has shown up in so many things over the years I feel like he's approaching Kevin Bacon status.

[@cjk4540]

The vampire hunter aspect of that movie was so good, felt like “realistic” vampire hunters. Brutal kills!

[@ethicaltechnical]

When I read the Harry Potter books as a kid I always imagined Snape being played by Valek

[@wardenmagellan2643]

This is my fifth favourite Vampire movie! This movie is so great. Loved the Neo Western vibes.

[@robertcox9128]

The priest is also in blade. He plays curtis the doctor who gets bite by quinn and is in iron man and iron man 2

[@hansgraichen8051]

This movie made me a huge James Woods fan.

[@ZacV256]

We had this on dvd when I was a kid and I absolutely loved this movie. Easily the most underrated vampire movie of all time.

[@j.m.4858]

This one's always been one of my favorites.

[@themagicpancakes]

I watched this in 7th grade back when it came out and I have always loved it. Top 5 vampire movies imo.

[@mellyyy1290]

That ‘Gorey’ story is hilarious 😂. But yeah I’m going to add this to my Halloween watchlist me thinks. Yes I’m already planning lmao

[@R3db3ard18]

Between Clooney and Woods, their vampire flicks are my favorite roles they ever did. Total badasses!

[@mracula1667]

Very good take on this movie. I wouldn’t say it cracks my top 5 Carpenter movies but that by no means makes in bad.

[@codyclingan9764]

This is hands down one of my favorite carpenter movies I remember seeing a trailer n one day as a kid finally found it at a flea market n watched over n over for a week as a kid lol

[@ZoeKavanagh]

This is an awesome film. Yeah I’m not a fan of James Woods nowadays but this film rocks!

[@interdimensionalsteve8172]

hell yeah, always loved this flick. that bit in the hotel room... pure gorey bliss.

[@rmarkley79]

You nailed it perfectly, I had fun with this movie and even watched it multiple times. I had no idea it was a John Carpenter movie. I'm also not the type that pays attention to opening or end credits.

[@fiilmfankev]

One of my favorite Vampire films and top 3 carpenter.

[@tabletopcorner2357]

I agree that this film is underrated. One of James Woods best films he has done. The vampire lore here is different enough to be its own identity. Cool film.

[@walthersorsa4847]

I recently watched this movie and it instanly became one of my favorite vampire movies and one of my favorite John Carpenter movies. I mean you have Hades himself leading a team to kill vampires like whats not to like. Great review Cody and take care and stay safe 👍.

[@radomirkorac-uu3nk]

The actor who plays the young priest in this film also starred in a similar vampire film that came out the same year, Blade.

[@ActivistBatonVI]

Just from caption in your thumbnail is all I need to know cause I agree.

[@chadmcfarland9660]

Love you Cody! Been here since 30K

[@TheMattypoo21]

This is one of the best vampire movies of all time.

[@LXTUS_EATXR]

Yes! One of my all-time favorites!

[@karanvirkooner1993]

that movie had to be re-edited because it got an NC-17 James Woods worked with David Cronenberg and Sergio Leone once

[@brandonschneider3993]

This is in my top 3 John carpenter films. 1. Big trouble in little China(have my leg tattooed to it) 2. Vampires 3. The thing 4. They live.

[@matthewcopley8223]

I would have to agree with you on the one Cody. I saw this on opening night in a nearly empty theater, but the movie itself rocked!! James Woods makes a fantastic vampire hunter and Thomas Ian Griffith makes a bada** bloodthirsty demon of the night. Great review!

[@evansmith7533]

There was a point in time where I preferred this to They Live, and honestly depending on the day, I may still.

[@Alex_DC413]

Your assessment was fair. Siskel and Ebert had a split decision on this one. Siskel liked it, but Ebert said it just moved from set piece to set piece. I'd reply "Your point?"

[@Joe_Parmesan]

I've always loved this movie. '98 hit us with this and Blade! And, it's funny that the actor who played the priest was in both movies

[@WolvesAtYourDoor]

Love this movie. Someone needs to give it a 4k!

[@RockyRoyale84]

Cody, you gotta watch The Hard Way if you haven't. One of the best buddy cop action flicks.

[@TekkorGJC]

I remember when I first saw this movie...when the Motel scene came up I was like "Holy $h17!". Carpenter was a bit of a downswing with his movies but that pulled me right back in. I think I remember reading somewhere long ago that the ending...Carpenter had a much more elaborate ending but they basically ran out of money. So they did that quick fight in the barn as they only had like 2 days to finish or something.

[@JenMistress]

You and I are on the same page with this one. This is one that when I saw it was on sale one October a couple of years ago, I had the money, so bought it. I do love this movie. Ghosts of Mars and The Ward, not so much, so yeah, I'll agree, Vampires is indeed John Carpenter's last greatest movie. Anyways, thank you, Cody, enjoyed this.

[@PeterCarmichael332]

Super underrated in my opinion. Always liked it for what it was. Very nostalgic for me.

[@brandonschneider3993]

Sorry for all the comments. But this is tied with my favorite vampire film along side from dusk till dawn.

[@jrmakowan8790]

Your Video Store sounds pretty relaxed, letting a 8 yr old rent 2 rated R movies.....I saw this in the theater and loved it right away. James Woods & the soundtrack were pretty good!!

[@hansgraichen8051]

One of my favorite vampire films.

[@tlguyton]

Happy belated Father’s Day Cody.

[@AadenTjarks-pv5qz]

Love vampire movies especially the lost boys, i’ll have to check this out because you’ve stated several times that it’s a great classic vampire movie.

[@RonJP-pm7jp]

This movie ain’t for the weak. Just saying. Be ready for it.

[@AadenTjarks-pv5qz]

@@RonJP-pm7jp just watched house of 1000 corpses last night, i should be alr 😭, appreciate the heads up though thanks

[@RonJP-pm7jp]

@@AadenTjarks-pv5qz yeah that movie is sick. Rob Zombie got some serious issues.

[@RockyRoyale84]

I used to fight my classmates in '98 who said Blade was better when I was 14. I've learned over time that Blade is better, but I still love this flick.

[@sean5558]

They are both good in their own genres neither is better than other , Vampires is more gritty horror with western feel and Blade is sleek urban over the top action

[@seanlaughlin522]

Saw the thumbnail and and immediately heard the theme song playing in my head

[@CrueMember]

Jan Valek is one of the most underrated villains of all time

[@RobDaCajun]

I just recently read the book the movie is based on. John Carpenter succeeded in making a film adaptation better than the source material. Baldwin’s character became enthralled with Cheryl Lee’s character. Since she was his maker. It makes sense that he adores her and she gave zero foxes about him. Again Carpenter’s direction of these characters was perfect.

[@ComoGotasdeAguaCine]

The actor playing the priest, Tim Guinee, was in what was, in my opinion, one of the best tv shows that tried to capitalized on The X files success.Its called "Strange World", he plays a USAMRIID investigator who follows almost supernatural abuses of science. Its a good show from Howard Gordon (writer of Xfiles, 24) and you can see a mix of both in this one. The show has 13 episodes and they are here on YT

[@Adoseofmetal890]

And the little side kid priest was also in the first blade. He was the guy Is dona logue bit after he got burnt but blade

[@Jasper_Ray16]

Great you got the uploading problem figured out, man!

[@jaredsocci8641]

Thanks for giving this film so much attention! Because of you I watched this about a year ago and loved it! Definitely an underseen Carpenter film that deserves more attention.

[@AztecaAguilar04]

I thought I was the only one who really liked this film, Such an underrated John Carpenter horror flick. I love From Dusk Till Dawn, Another classic. But No one can deny this awesome vampire movie, It was not the same and went for a more western tone which I really liked. We need a 4K Blu Ray of this

[@odinson99m]

I love John Carpenter's Vampires! It's in my Top 10 Vampire movies. Appreciate it getting some love.

[@BoxingFan4Life]

This is an easy one. This movie is a classic. I was 9 when this came out and I’ve watched it hundreds of times

[@JTM1987]

Bro hell yes! Hell of a rental right there, The Faculty and J.C’s Vampires.. classic

[@HazeyCazeyTv]

Watching this in October 🎃 🤘

[@Jonathan-of8ws]

Love this movie! James Woods and Thomas Ian Griffith absolutely made this movie great in front of the camera as much as John Carpenter did behind the camera. But the rest of the cast is also top notch as well. I saw this movie in theaters and have loved it ever since.

[@hasbunmb]

THANK you ❤ This has been my favorite vampire movie since I saw it as a kid too 😅

[@doomraven0]

i really love Vampires as well. Huge John Carpenter fan in general. I think Vampires is actually as good as In the Mouth of Madness

[@Jerryhen-y2d]

I actually really miss going in renting movies.Just seeing that covers and picking out a movie

[@davidjesse8842]

I have always loved this film. It's in my top 3 best vampire movies of all time. And top 3 carpenter movies as well.