Vampire banner

When you think of horror, the creature that is always front and center is the vampire. Vampires are the ringleaders of the monsters. They’re apex predators who can hide behind an air of sophistication and then strike like mindless, literally bloodthirsty hunters. Some can even pull off looking human and can also transform humans into themselves, often against their will. Their various iterations and longevity have withstood the test of time, making them both classic and adaptable. Below I break down my favorite vampire tropes and what draws readers and viewers to vampire stories.

The Dracula vibe

The classic look of a vampire is Bela Lugosi’s widows-peaked Count Dracula dressed in a black suit and cloaked in a red-lined black cape. It’s such a striking image of a monster who almost passes for human so much so that his associates tend to gloss over the red flags that should warn them to stay away.

I love the idea of this Hannibal Lecter-like character who is drawn to sophistication and presentation yet can take a bite out of you at any minute. If you’re alive in his presence, it’s because he’s letting you live…for now. And though he has the upper hand, he is always trying to win over his prey before he takes them out.

He also has this unlimited mass of wealth that he’s acquired which allows him to live in a large castle, mingle with the rich, and set his own hours. These elements make him a natural born leader with a rational mind yet vicious lifestyle.

Mind games

Because their victims are no match physically, the sport of the hunt comes from the psychological games that vampires play. They win over groups of upper crust party goers or solo admirers and then strike after chipping away at their trust. Deceit is a powerful weapon, and because vampires are the dominant species, human beings are easy to deceive. This makes them more sinister and threatening.

Some vampires’ ability to hypnotize their victims makes them even more horrific. There’s something about losing your free will that is scarier than having your blood sucked dry.

And the inability to even attempt to fight back and the question of how conscious the prey are of what’s to come is a terrible yet interesting thought. It’s also rooted in real life instances of children being lured into a kidnapper’s van with candy. Adults think they’ve grown past that until the vampire finds the right bait to put on the end of their fishhook or simply a magic spell that requires no persuasion, just good old fashioned eye contact.

Blood from Stone

Use of discretion 

Despite their physical dominance, vampires tend to be discreet in their actions. Recognizing the existence of supernatural beings is humans’ first step to vanquishing them as they have the advantage of safety in numbers and have fewer rules to abide by. As a result, vampires know that they have to sneak around.

This lurking in the shadows or visiting their victims while they sleep feeds into that primary idea of being afraid of what you can’t see. They will transform into various animals or hide behind their capes and cloaks to avoid being seen. And that is where they do their best work.

Vampire hunting kit

Slaves to their hunger

A vampire’s thirst for blood is an excellent metaphor for the shame that we feel for our own temptations, particularly the unhealthy ones. Vampires can’t help themselves, and even if they could, they would not survive without blood, making them dependent on their primal hunger.

We’ve all been tempted to put things into our bodies that aren’t good for us. Many don’t even think twice about consuming cooked animal flesh. In fact, it’s a completely acceptable act. It’s no different for vampires, except for those who remember that they once used to be human as well.

They are us

This brings up the fact that vampires essentially were once human. Like werewolves and zombies, they fall into that category of horror that warns of what you can become if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It’s terrible to die a horrific death. And all of the classic monsters are dangerous and murderous in some way. But vampires can not only drain your blood, they can turn you into one of them, cursing you to their unending fate from which there is no return. Becoming a vampire forces you to leave behind the life you knew, good or bad, and succumb to this new existence.

vampire book spread

Their frustrations

It’s interesting to see how a storyteller will manifest a vampire’s frustrations about being a vampire. Whether they’re bitter about being stripped of their humanity or feeling like second class citizens compare to humans, they all exhibit some form of frustration. Many are power hungry, working towards a dominating goal. Others are tired of the grind, upset that they are unable to watch the sun rise or even to age.

Immortality may be intriguing to some, but everyone wants to have it on their own terms. Vampires are tethered to whatever limits their story imparts on them. And that causes a deep resentment either to their circumstances or to the human race who gets to live limited though much freer lives.

The Whistling Kettle Banner

Their nomadic lifestyle

Vampires are always on the move. They typically begin their story by moving to a new place, either to curb any suspicion of the fact that they don’t age, or because they’ve drawn too much attention to themselves by taking too many victims.

Vampire stories can work in a small town like Salem’s Lot or in a large city like New Orleans. They travel through parts of Europe that we Americans don’t really hear about otherwise. A vampire story tends to double as a road trip, one where supernatural events occur. And that makes for an exciting and scary setting, no matter where it’s set.

Their sidekicks

Vampires like to keep a human as a little sidekick to do their housekeeping. Is it better to have your blood sucked from your body as you sleep night after night like Lucy Westenra, or would you rather be a Renfield, a Dracula wannabe who is awaiting the prize of immortality?

There’s something interesting about a character who wants to join them instead of beat them. They appear to be a traitor to their species, but in reality, they were outcasts who never fit in with their species. Instead, they become a right hand man. Anything for attention and validation that they serve even the smallest purpose in their existence.

vampire tools

Rules and weapons

My favorite element of the vampire lore, though, is learning the rules for each story. We become the Van Helsing of each story, gathering the knowledge and tools needed to fight these otherwise unbeatable creatures. It’s like a children’s game of make believe where the rules are formed as you go along, making the weaknesses such fun and interesting aspects of the vampire mythology.

It’s especially intriguing when the weapons and deterrents are everyday items, such as garlic, crucifixes, and mirrors. You don’t need expensive technology like proton packs or magic abilities in order to ward them off. Villagers and other superstitious characters add these talismans to their everyday lives, and it pays off.

These details are what allow storytellers to continually reinvent the vampire myth. And while some details may be preferred over others, the floor is always open to experimentation. That gives us a control over the things that scare us in a way that nothing in the real world allows. And to have power over something and the ability to combat and even conquer it, is a calming thought in an otherwise chaotic world that we return to after a story ends.

What are your favorite vampire stories? What elements make up a great vampire story? Leave your answers in the comments below!

Also, check out my review of the vampire movie, Blood From Stone, here!

Check out a similar post: “8 Great Ghost Story Tropes” here!

Buy it!

Buy a copy of In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.

Pin it!

Vampire tropes pin