THE ADDICTION
released OUT NOW! 1996 | 18 | Blu-ray Director abel Ferrara Cast lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, annabella sciorra, edie Falco
This scuzzy black-and-white horror follows the descent of philosophy student Kathleen (Lili Taylor), who’s attacked on her way home one night and begins turning into a vampire. This isn’t the grand vampirism of Interview With The Vampire or Coppola’s Dracula, but a grubby kind where Kathleen grows heroin-chic gaunt and feeds on the homeless.
Unfortunately, in its pursuit of worthiness, the film is weighed down by endless discussions on redemption and sin, which somewhat spoils the fun. The film’s at its best when feeding us the simple, sick thrill of watching Kathleen fill a syringe with a stranger’s blood and pump it into her veins, or writhe on the floor of her apartment as black blood spurts from her neck.
It’s also interesting when viewed as a metaphor for monstrous sexuality. “What the hell were you thinking?” Kathleen asks a pretty student after attacking her in her dorm room one evening. As she coldly eyes the weeping, wounded girl, the film veers into a powerful depiction of predatory lust. Sometimes the meekest women have the deadliest bite.
Extras Commentary by director Abel Ferrara; “Talking With The Vampires”, a new half-hour doc by the director; interviews with Ferrara and writer Brad Stevens (25 minutes); archival clips from the editing process; trailer; booklet. Kimberley Ballard