The vampire genre is having a moment again—sharp teeth, gothic romance and all. With the critical and box office success of Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu remake and the breakout indie hit Sinners, the undead are surging back into pop culture with fresh blood and bold storytelling. Into this atmospheric resurgence comes Love Kills, a Brazilian vampire thriller with a stylish, emotionally charged bite of its own.
Directed by Luiza Shelling, Love Kills adapts the graphic novel by acclaimed Brazilian comic creator Danilo Beyruth. Set against the sprawling backdrop of São Paulo, the story follows Helena, a loner vampire with a violent past and a fragile present. When she’s ambushed by a rival coven, Helena is forced into an uneasy alliance with Marcus, a seemingly ordinary human who becomes deeply entangled in her supernatural world.
As their partnership deepens—and secrets come to light—the film morphs from gritty vampire noir into something far more personal and haunting. It’s a story of survival, trauma and yes, reluctant romance—earning the label “vampire romantasy” from director Shelling, who previously produced Netflix’s Yakuza Princess.
Premiering in the genre-focused Blood Window showcase at Cannes, Love Kills is the latest example of global cinema tapping into the enduring allure of the vampire myth. But this isn’t just a case of trend-chasing. Like Sinners, Love Kills draws on local culture and tone to offer a distinctly Brazilian take on the undead, full of mood, blood, and melancholy.
The original graphic novel has already made waves, with Titan Comics releasing an English-language edition in 2024. Fans of graphic horror, urban fantasy or emotionally grounded vampire tales should take note: Love Kills might not be a household name—yet—but it’s arriving at exactly the right moment.