Lestat de Lioncourt returns to the stage bigger and better than ever in AMC’s The Vampire Lestat. The Vampire Lestat follows Sam Reid as the titular Lestat “on an electric multi-city tour while being haunted by ‘muses’ from his wild and rebellious past. As his band’s popularity and star power rise, so does Lestat’s influence over vampires and humans alike, leaving others to contend with Lestat’s power in the face of the Great Conversion, an unnatural surge in the vampire population.”
As a long-time fan of the original two seasons of AMC’s Interview with the Vampire, I was both intrigued and skeptical of how the cast and crew would deal with the main narrative shifting from Jacob Anderson’s Louis de Pointe du Lac to Sam Reid’s Lestat de Lioncourt after spending two incredible seasons with Louis in the spotlight. Rolin Jones has done a masterful job with not only blending those two narratives together without missing a beat, but he’s done it with obvious care for every character. While Reid’s Lestat is in the forefront of this chapter, Anderson’s Louis, Assad Zaman’s Armand, Eric Bogosian’s Daniel Molloy, and Delainey Hayles all get their time to shine.
Sam Reid has put on an exceptional performance as Lestat de Lioncourt from the pilot of Interview with the Vampire, but The Vampire Lestat proves that Sam Reid is Lestat. Reid disappears into de Lioncourt like never before, perfectly balancing the trauma, nuances and theatrics of Lestat’s turbulent past and present. Reid gives a complexity to Lestat that can only be described as mesmerizing.
The supporting cast helps with grounding this season, adding well-needed distinction to Lestat’s rockstar world. While Jacob Anderson’s Louis de Pointe du Lac takes the passenger seat in this season, there’s plenty on the horizon for du Lac’s with an arc full of redemption, and Anderson does it superbly. Louis’ narrative this season feels like the perfect juxtaposition to Lestat’s, all while tying together Louis’ past to his present.
Eric Bogosian’s Daniel Molloy is a delight on the screen, bringing cynicism to ground this otherwise bizarre narrative. Assad Zaman’s complex performance as Armand on his path to redemption will keep you on your toes. Delainey Hayles is brilliant as ever, leaving you captivated and wanting more of her presence with every passing second. Newcomer Jennifer Ehle’s mysterious and compelling Gabriella de Lioncourt ties together Lestat’s history with an equally convoluted bow.
With stellar performances, impeccable writing, and a strong narrative full of intricacies and theatrics that leave you transfixed on this world, The Vampire Lestat is set to astound audiences. The Vampire Lestat should be on everyone’s radar.
