What happened in the last five minutes of the latest Twilight movie is sure to grace the front-burner of gossip blogs for coming weeks – and for good reason. Christian Louboutin not only spoiled the movie’s big twist, she also provided one of the most memorable movie moments in recent memory.
The designer’s shoes not only had a hand in a series of memorable moments (Laurence Fishburne’s famous ‘geisha dance’, the birth of Edward and Bella’s child, and of course, Christian Louboutin’s iconic red soles), but they also helped to create something more symbolic than just the story’s revelations. These soles, we now know, were meant to represent the curse the enchanting Louis Vuitton bag bestowed on Edward and Bella. What’s more, the characters’ struggle to keep their newborn baby alive was (at least in part) caused by their addiction to blood. Not exactly Louis Vuitton’s finest moment.
What is Blood addiction Anyway?
For those of you perhaps less well-versed in movie tropes and backstories, let us elucidate: blood addiction is the phenomenon whereby characters, usually in crisis, will suddenly become fixated on getting or using human blood. The need for blood may come from injuries suffered during the course of the story, or from an unquenchable thirst caused by dehydration or starvation. In almost all cases, this desire for blood will be presented as a psychological issue – a character struggling with a phobia, an addictive personality disorder, or some other – usually psychological – disorder. In a truly memorable scene from 2006’s House of Gucci, the audience is informed that Claudia, one of the film’s main characters, suffers from polyarteritis, an inflammatory disorder that affects the body’s small blood vessels. As a result of this disease, Claudia is constantly thirsty and needs constant hydration. In one memorable sequence, she is seen walking down the street, clutching a plastic bag full of her daily drinking vessel – a tiny espresso machine – as if her life depended on it. From that point onwards, her entire character arc for the day is revealed: from frustrated housewife to chic gangster (and yes, everything in between) as she struggles to maintain her independence in an abusive marriage. Not exactly the most glamorous depiction of a lady – or a cup of coffee – but certainly memorable. A similar theme can be found in the 2004 film Death and the Maiden, where the eponymous heroines’ constant thirst for blood is again presented as a psychological issue. In the case of House of Gucci, this obsession with hydration is used as a metaphor for Claudia’s freedom-seeking desire to escape from her abusive marriage. In both cases, the characters’ struggles with their dependency on blood are what ultimately drive the narrative and prop up the emotional intensity of the films. As a result, blood addiction is one of the most recognizable and consistent story elements in modern cinematic folklore. It has arguably become such a recognizable trope that some people will go through life unconsciously avoiding the dependency because they recognize it in themselves. For better or worse, watching a horror movie with a full bottle of spirit in the bottom of your glass is now possibly one of the most recognizable metaphors for a scary evening out.
How Does Blood Addiction Work In Scratching His Head?
While the desire for blood can vary from character to character, it usually manifests itself in three distinct but equally problematic ways. First, there is the craving for human blood. This can be illustrated simply by recalling the films we have just mentioned. From a practical point of view, these characters need a pint of blood to survive – and sometimes that needs to be forcibly procured. However, it is important to note that just because they need blood, doesn’t mean that they are solely dependent on it. In the case of House of Gucci, for example, we see that even though Claudia needs blood, she is perfectly capable of procuring the same from animals. She knows exactly where to look, and how much she needs – just like most of us would when we are in need of a blood transfusion. This is important because it shows that even though these characters may need blood, they are not ‘true’ vampires. On the contrary, they are a part of a world that still has norms and social constraints. In the zombie apocalypse world of 28 Days Later, for example, the characters are portrayed as the true apex predators. Their only concern is to satisfy their immediate physical needs and to survive. Second, there is the obsession with getting the ‘perfect’ blood. In some instances, characters will go to considerable lengths to ‘catch’ and consume the perfect prey. Once they have obtained the ‘perfect’ blood, the characters will fight over who gets to drink first. Finally, there is the fear of getting too much blood. In many cases, characters will become violently ill or even die if they consume too much blood. The key take-away from all of this is that just because these characters need blood in some way, it does not mean that they need to have a constant supply of it. On the contrary, it is usually the case that their bodies cannot process the volume of blood they need, and so they will often suffer the consequences – sometimes literally. These consequences usually entail some sort of sickness or injury that requires medical attention. In short, blood addiction can present as a physical dependency, a psychological disorder, or both. It always serves as a visual reminder that life in the fast lane may not be all it’s cracked up to be. It also warns the audience that they are in the presence of a dangerous individual – maybe even a crazy one. The fact that it is usually these characters that are written off as sociopaths in other contexts only serves to highlight how complicated and nuanced their dependency is. Sometimes, the most dangerous individuals are the ones closest to us. In this way, blood addiction is a microcosm of the fragility of character that can arise from unexpected places. In some instances, a spouse or lover will become so consumed by their addiction that they will threaten to hurt or even kill their partner or spouse. This can be a source of great tension, especially if the audience has not seen this sort of behavior from the spouse or lover in question. While blood addiction may or may not be a prevalent trait among the undead (depending on the source material), it is a commonality among the living – especially those who have been recently turned.
Where Can I Get My Hands On Some Human Blood?
If you find yourself in need of a refreshing drink and happen to be near a blood bank, you can ask the staff for some volunteer assistance. They will not only be happy to assist you, but they will also tell you all about the different types of blood available – the best way for you to decide which to use.
If, however, you find yourself in a situation where you need blood but do not want to ask for help, there are alternatives. First, you could always hunt down a deer or a lamb and slaughter it yourself. Second, you could take out a loan from a loan shark and pay them back as soon as you can. Third, you could try finding some pharmaceutical company that produces recombinant human blood. For those of you who are worried about the safety of alternatives like these, do not be. While it is always preferable to get your blood from healthy, voluntary donors, the fact that these alternatives exist means that sometimes you will have to accept unsafe blood. The important thing to keep in mind is that if you are in a situation where you need blood but do not want to ask for help, there is always a way for you to get it. In the case of Claudia and Edward in House of Gucci, for example, Claudia’s polyarteritis causes her kidneys to fail. As a result, she requires regular dialysis sessions. In the event that her medication is temporarily suspended by the manufacturer, she would become seriously ill. Just because these characters are not exactly ‘vampires’ in the traditional sense does not mean that they cannot be dangerous – especially when their needs become more immediate than what is socially acceptable. In short, while there is always a way to get blood, that does not mean that all avenues are straightforward or safe. Asking for help from a trusted individual or institution is usually the safest and most practical option. After all, if you do not ask, you truly do not know – especially if that individual or institution is holding a grudge.