Movie Reviews

‘Empire V’ review: Stylish vampire film banned in Russia worth sinking your teeth into

October 17, 2023

Empire V is a horror movie from Russia that unsettled the government so much they decided the best course of action was to ban it. The plot follows a young man who is invited to be a part of an elite group in society. Naturally, he agrees, but he soon discovers a vampire dictatorship that has controlled humanity for centuries.

There is a reason that vampire stories have always been so popular. The plots can tackle themes ranging from love and friendship to addiction and internal turmoil. They can be funny, sad, and of course, scary. The hierarchies and life often seen can also be used as commentary on society.

Power, sex, and glamor have always been a large part of vampire lore, and it is no different here. Empire V creates a new mythology, however. Blood does not play as big a role and the inhuman powers the creatures are known for are ingested through “candy”. Most spectacular is their ability to take on the attributes of famous humans. It is a fun take that brings a mystique and aura that can be hard to do since there are so many tales about the fanged beasts.

'Empire V' review: Stylish vampire film banned in Russia worth sinking your teeth into

Empire V is not subtle in its critique of Russian capitalism and its two male leads have been very critical of Vladmir Putin. (Hence, the reason it has been refused a distribution permit in the country.) While interesting, it is less novel than its take on vampires. It is a typical story of vampire overlords holding down humans.

With its fantastic wardrobe and sprawling set pieces, the film looks absolutely gorgeous. The creature design is fantastic and there are some montages mixed in that set Empire V apart from other creature features. Some pacing issues can be found in the back half, but it is a refreshing watch. Putin is missing out.