If you want to understand everything that's wrong with Hollywood today, watch the Dracula Untold trailer


If you need hard evidence that everything about the way Hollywood approaches movie-making today is wrong, you'd be wise to start with the new trailer for Dracula Untold.
In just two minutes, you can count off virtually every modern blockbuster cliché in this soulless cash-grab. Shameless exploitation of a popular character that happens to be in the public domain? Check. Needlessly convoluted origin story? Check. Transparent attempt to turn a mid-range actor into an A-list action star? Check. Grim cover of an '80s new-wave hit by a modern pop star? Check. Fake-looking CGI army in a fake-looking CGI battle? Check. Vampire love story? Check and mate.
What about Dracula Untold makes it a story that needs to be told? What is this movie's target audience? Was anyone clamoring for yet another story about Dracula, who has literally appeared in dozens of other movies?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Dracula Untold arrives in theaters in November — but if you're really eager for a Dracula movie, wander into a video store and throw a rock. You'll probably hit one. --Scott Meslow
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.
-
June 1 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's golden comb-over, brain drain in America, and a new TACO presidential seal.
-
5 cartoons about the TACO trade
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on America's tariffs, Vladimir Putin waiting for taco Tuesday, and a new presidential seal
-
A city of culture in the high Andes
The Week Recommends Cuenca is a must-visit for those keen to see the 'real Ecuador'
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read