Caleb Landry Jones is an undeniable force in this uniquely romantic take on the classic vampire myth - even as the tone wobbles throughout. Yep, Luc Besson’s Dracula is absolutely worth the watch, if for nothing else than the director’s unmistakable visual bravura. Besson tackles the period setting with flair, layering the gothic production design with visceral, balletic bursts of action. This isn’t your grandfather’s Dracula, that’s for sure. And while certain elements may feel overly familiar, the film adds just enough fresh angles to chew on. A major reason for that: its unapologetic embrace of the romance. Here, the story plays as a sweeping, star-crossed journey for ol’ Drac. His yearning is the definition of palpable. There’s a genuine passion at play, with the film reframing Dracula as a tortured heartthrob - a gothic lover whose intensity drives both the narrative and the visual language. Caleb Landry Jones proves more than up to the challenge, giving the character all the layers that such an interpretation needs. It’s a magnetic performance, one that captures the essence of the legendary figure while offering something intriguingly new. Add a wonderful turn by Christoph and an enchanting Zoe Bleu, and you’ve got a cast operating in perfect harmony. The same, unfortunately, cannot always be said for the film’s tonal management. At various points, Dracula is frightening, funny, tacky, operatic, and occasionally even a bit grating - sometimes within the same scene. The middle stretch also admittedly gets muddled as the film tries to juggle all its impulses. But, the grand, feverish climax redeems those stumbles. This is the kind of cinematic experience that will surely divide audiences, while others will be swept up by its audacity and lush, romantic ambition. Count me firmly in the latter camp.