
In contrast to the frightening and hideous depictions of vampires in old folklore, Bram Stoker’s Dracula was far from seductive or appealing. However, contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t Hollywood that turned vampires into the sexy, aristocratic figures we see today. In fact, tales like The Vampyre, Varney the Vampire, and Carmilla, which were popular before Dracula, already portrayed vampires as seductive undead beings. Interestingly, Dr. Emily Zarka from Monstrum points out that the image of Dracula, popularized by Bela Lugosi, was actually a blend of both terrifying and attractive characteristics, resulting in the enduring vampire archetype we recognize today.