Guide Note

Interview with the Vampire is a 1994 dramatic horror film based on the first novel in Anne Rice's series of books titled The Vampire Chronicles.

Fast Facts

1. Release Date: November 11, 1994
2. Studio: Warner Bros.
3. Director: Neil Jordan
4. Writer: Anne Rice
5. Starring: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, Antonio Banderas, Stephen Rea, Christian Slater
6. Run Time: 123 min

The film begins in present day San Francisco, with the journalist Daniel Malloy (Christian Slater) conducting an interview with a real-life vampire, named Louis (Brad Pitt). Louis tells Malloy his life story, starting when he was still a human in the late 18th century in America. A depressed plantation owner with no hope or future, Louis is approached by an old and powerful vampire named Lestat (Tom Cruise). Lestat offers Louis immortality, and the life of a vampire. Louis accepts, though after he is transformed he finds he cannot bring himself to kill humans in order to sustain himself. When the two move to New Orleans after being run out by plantation employees, Lestat cleverly turns an orphan girl named Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) into a vampire, whom Louis falls in love with. The vampire trio live throughout the ages together, attempting to find meaning and peace. Eventually, Louis and Claudia grow tired of Lestat's brutal animalness, and seek to escape.