John Carpenter directed many films now considered horror classics, including standouts like The Thing and Halloween, which are widely praised for their quality. He also created beloved cult films such as They Live, Prince of Darkness, and even Ghosts of Mars. However, Carpenter wasn’t limited to horror; similar to how Wes Craven branched out with Music of the Heart, he also excelled in action, most famously with Escape from New York. Like The Thing and the original Halloween, this film is now considered a classic in its own right.
One of his best attempts to combine horror and action was the film Vampires. While Ghosts of Mars didn’t quite hit the mark, Vampires successfully struck a balance between the two genres.
What Makes Vampires the Best Entry in Carpenter’s Late-Stage Filmography?
John Carpenter’s film blends horror, action, and Western elements, centering on Jack Crow, played by James Woods, and his crew of vampire hunters. They’re equipped with traditional weapons plus specialized tools to effectively fight vampires – think stakes and even sunlight delivered via a winch.
They’ve had a stroke of luck, discovering a nest of these creatures in an old, deserted house in New Mexico, but Crow isn’t convinced it’s a true win. Throughout his long career, he’s never encountered a nest without an owner, and soon he and his team discover who that owner is: Jan Valek, a terrifyingly strong ancient vampire, and the most dangerous enemy Crow has ever confronted.
If Crow and the remaining members of his team – now with a new priest – hope to defeat Valek, they must discover who he really is. What they find out about his past is surprisingly complicated and unexpectedly personal.
Watching Crow and his team hunt vampires is genuinely entertaining, even though the team shrinks significantly during the movie. Like many of Carpenter’s later films, the story loses a bit of momentum as it progresses, but it remains engaging thanks to the intriguing mystery of Valek and a surprising twist towards the end.
The movie truly shines thanks to Woods’ lively performance – he’s often great in films, but he seems to be having a particularly good time here, and that energy is contagious. Plus, Thomas Ian Griffith is perfectly cast as the powerful, ancient vampire; he has the look and charisma to make the villain genuinely intimidating. It’s hard to imagine anyone else pulling off the role as well.
Stream Vampires on The Criterion Channel.
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2025-10-30 20:42