I know what you are thinking – “another vampire movie?” You might be thinking this considering the number of bloodsucking movies hitting Netflix and Amazon Prime this year, but take a closer look. While most of these films share the common thread of vampires, there is a difference. While other films set out to entertain fans of the genre with unrealistic takes on vampires, Zack and Miri Make a Porno tackle the subject matter head on. Instead of relying on special effects and sparkly blood, the duo behind the movie poke genuine fun at the tropes that have surrounded vampires in popular culture for decades. Not only that, but they even give the undead a fresh spin by making them a force for good rather than evil. This is a movie that will appeal to fans of the dark arts and non-believers alike! Let’s take a closer look at Zack and Miri Make a Porno and its unique perspective on vampires…
Vampires Are Now (Sort Of) Progressive
If you have spent any time on social media in the last few years, you will know that the stigma surrounding vampires has begun to fade. These days it is commonplace to see vampires represented on screen in a variety of positive and empowering ways. In fact, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane: the 90s were great for vampires. Vampires were popularized in the ’90s via films like The Lost Boys and The Roaring Twenties. These films portrayed the creatures in a rather positive light, often showing them helping regular humans. Even when vampires were shown killing, it was more of a tragic event caused by circumstances beyond their control (like Stoker’s Dracula or Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – both of which I will discuss below). In 2019 we are now coming full circle and seeing more and more portrayals of vampires as heroes, not villains as they have generally been viewed in the past.
Vampires Will Always Be The Hot Trend
Another trend that emerged out of the 90s is the obsession with vampires. I mean, who doesn’t love a good Twilight saga or a classic B-movie that involves vampires? It seems that everyone and their mum has gotten in on the act in the past few years, with fans spending millions of hours watching the undead roam the earth, waiting for their chance at an immortal love affair. Netflix is currently home to 13 vampire-related series, with more on the way. While some of these series are set in contemporary times, many of them are based on classic vampire novels and stories, like Dracula and the Wolfman, which date back to the turn of the 20th century. So it would seem that the thirst for vampire-related content is as strong as ever, which in turn makes this year a good year to be a horror movie fan.
Vampires Are Back And They Are Vengeful
One of the reasons why vampires have become so popular in recent years is because of the rise of the internet. The ability to connect with like-minded individuals allows for the sharing of all kinds of media, which in turn has created a wealth of content surrounding the subject matter.
This has led to a resurgence of interest in vampires, with some fans taking the opportunity to explore different aspects of the undead within the last few years. For example, The Order: Set One (2019) is an anime that follows different vampires as they go about their daily routine; while the more traditional route has seen writers and comic book artists taking a closer look at classic comic book villains like Dracula and the Wolfman and turning them into modern-day badasses. This trend will no doubt continue next year, as the world awaits the premiere of Francis Ford Coppola’s Twilight fansite spoof The Vampires of Vero Beach.
Who Wants To Be A Vampyre?
Speaking of classic comic book villains, one of the biggest surprises of the last year has been the rise of Zack and Miri Make a Porno. The movie, which is actually a mockumentary featuring actors playing themselves, explores the unique journey of two Canadian videographers who, in the pursuit of self-expression, set out to interview a bunch of famous vampire actors for a pornography project. What was supposed to be a one-time prank ended up being one of the biggest indie productions of the year and its unique spin on the vampire genre has inspired many other films in its wake. Let’s examine the commonalities between these films and then look at why Zack and Miri Make a Porno offers something special.
Similarities Between Vampires And The Zack And Miri Make A Porno
Like most other Netflix original series, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is premiering all at once rather than a weekly or monthly schedule. This allows the audience to jump right into the action as soon as possible, as viewers will no doubt be gripped by the fast pace of the 10 episode season. If you are a fan of the Porno studio or Zack and Miri themselves, then this is a must-watch. If you are looking for something different, then this might not be for you, as the show definitely has a dark comedic edge to it.
The Pornography Industry Might Be The Holy Grail For Vampires
It is well established that Pornography is a major driving force behind the original Zack and Miri Make a Porno. It is the ultimate goal of the couple’s entire pornography project, which they have been working on since before the #MeToo movement, to entertain and elevate the viewer through a unique perspective on vampires. The goal is to prove that vampires aren’t just evil reapers, but can in fact be useful creatures. They want to reveal the truth about vampires, which is that they are often misunderstood. While this might sound like a buddy cop movie, the twisting of genre typics and stereotypes is what makes Zack and Miri Make a Porno special.
Why Is Zack And Miri Making A Porno Special?
So Zack and Miri Make a Porno is premiering all at once, allowing for a shorter waiting period for new viewers. It might also be prompting some viewers to finally check out vampires after years of being underestimated or ignored by society. Maybe it is the Netflix bonus of a world premiere, or the indie film community’s reemergence as a force to be reckoned with, but whatever it is, it is certainly inspiring film fans to learn more about vampires.
There is no question that Zack and Miri Make a Porno is a world premiere, as it was self-released on the company’s website and has never been shown in a theatrical format. This is a big deal, as it means the filmmakers got their creative bootstrap straps around a big fat publishing indie film. It is also a big deal for the vampire community, as it is the first time we have seen video of the creatures in full hog form in many years. These days, vampires are more popular than ever before and have never been more accessible to film fans, which makes these days a good time to be a vampire enthusiast.