Abraham's Boys: A Dracula Story Review - Fathers, Fangs, and Fear: A Quiet Reimagining of Dracula

Now in theaters, you can find “Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story,” an adaptation of Joe Hill’s short story “The Black Phone,” which reimagines the Dracula story through a deeply personal lens. Natasha Kerman’s story hones in on familial tension and historical mystery as Max and Rudy Can Helsing uncover the unsettling truth buried within their father Abraham’s past.

With a runtime of 90 minutes, the plot moves slowly, building tension through the boys’ confusion and fear of their father’s rules becoming more severe and bizarre. Abraham insists on strict discipline, manual labor, and isolation, leaving Max and Rudy emotionally stifled and desperate for answers. As they dig into their family history, they discover unsettling artifacts and journals that hint at Abraham’s role in hunting Dracula. Their mother, portrayed with quiet sorrow, adds another layer of mystery, her illness subtly suggesting she’s been touched by the very evil Abraham fears. 

The film’s strength lies in the portrayal of characters and the synergy between them. Max (Brady Hepner) and Rudy (Judah Mackey) Van Helsing portrayed the characters with depth, navigating the stifling atmosphere created by their father’s secrets. Their interactions with Abraham fuel the film's exploration of inherited trauma and the weight of expectations.

The camera work evokes an additional sense of claustrophobia and dread among viewers, further enhancing the film's atmospheric tension. This helps immerse the audience in the Van Helsing household, where mundane tasks take on a sinister undertone. The visual aesthetic often felt restrained by the film's low budget, with the film feeling reminiscent of 90’s cinema as opposed to the early 1900s.

The Script excels in bringing together the complex narrative, but Kermani’s direction occasionally falters in sustaining the momentum that is built, resulting in numerous pacing issues that detract from the overall impact. Despite the film's unconventional approach to the vampire genre, it focuses more on psychological drama than supernatural spectacle and offers a refreshing perspective.

“Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story” challenges traditional vampire tropes, delivering a thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics and the legacy of trauma. It’s a film that lingers in the middle, despite its technical limitations, due to its strong performances and thematic depth. I would recommend this movie to anyone seeking a new take on vampire mythology, as the film offers an engaging and impactful experience that transcends its cinematic constraints. If you're a fan of a slow-burning thriller, this is the movie for you. But if you easily get bored by movies that drag out, then it might be worth checking out once it appears on streaming services.