Dracula’s Widow

Dracula’s Widow

Year: 1988

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: Christopher Coppola

ThrillerHorror

Vanessa, Dracula’s long‑dead wife, is resurrected and begins stalking Raymond, the owner of a macabre waxworks museum that exhibits infamous monsters and murderers. As she turns his nightmarish collection into a real‑life horror, Raymond must confront the undead seductress and the terrifying legends he displays.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Dracula’s Widow (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dracula’s Widow (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in a contemporary urban setting with noir overtones. It blends modern police work and nightlife with gothic vampire mythology, creating a late-night, urban mood. The events take place within a current-era timeframe rather than a historic period.

Location

Hollywood, California, Poenari, Romania, The Blue Angel jazz bar, Hollywood House of Wax

The action centers in Hollywood, a city of glitz and shadow. Key locations include a vintage wax museum (Hollywood House of Wax), a seedy jazz bar called The Blue Angel, and a park where the first murder occurs. A sequence travels to Poenari, Romania, hinting at Dracula lore and the vampire’s homeland.

🎬 Hollywood 🏙️ Urban setting 🕯️ Gothic mood

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

Main Characters – Dracula’s Widow (1988)

Meet the key characters of Dracula’s Widow (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Raymond Everett (Lenny Von Dohlen)

Owner of the Hollywood House of Wax who becomes possessed by Vanessa. He struggles to regain his will as the vampire manipulates him, covering up her killings and jeopardizing his relationship with Jenny. His arc centers on reclaiming his humanity from a powerful supernatural influence.

🩸 possession 🕯️ wax museum 🎭 noir

Lt. Lannon (Josef Sommer)

Senior detective investigating the park murder and the wax museum assault. He starts skeptical of ordinary explanations but gradually accepts a vampiric threat, aided by Van Helsing lore. He teams with Jenny to exonerate Raymond and stop Vanessa.

🧭 detective 🧬 paranormal 🕯️ belief

Vanessa (Sylvia Kristel)

A vampire described as Dracula’s wife, a beauty with a brutal edge who slaughters indiscriminately. She exerts control over Raymond, resuming her vampiric agenda to Romania while revealed as a deadly predator beneath glamour. Her presence drives the central conflict and the city’s fear.

🧛 vampire 🩸 danger 🕊️ seduction

Jenny (Rachel Jones)

Raymond’s girlfriend who also works at the museum. She supports him as possession strains their relationship, then joins the investigators to expose Vanessa and restore Raymond’s humanity. She plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth and protecting herself.

💔 love 🛡️ protective 🗝️ truth

Citrano (Traber Burns)

Lt. Lannon’s partner who encounters Vanessa’s brutality and falls victim to her violence. His death underscores the stakes and motivates the investigators to confront the vampire menace. He represents the personal cost of the case.

🕵️ detective 🗡️ danger 🩸 murder

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

Major Themes – Dracula’s Widow (1988)

Explore the central themes of Dracula’s Widow (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗝️ Duality

Vanessa embodies a paradox of beauty and brutality, using charm to lure victims while hiding a monstrous core. Raymond’s humanity frays as the vampire’s hold tightens, forcing him to betray loved ones. The narrative probes whether love or loyalty can endure under supernatural control.

🎭 Glamour

Hollywood’s glittering surface conceals violence, occult danger, and murder. The wax museum, jazz clubs, and backstreets frame a setting where art, fame, and decadence intersect with horror. The film uses this contrast to critique the price of fame and the lure of forbidden power.

🕵️ Investigation

Lt. Lannon and his colleagues trace a chain of sinister murders that defy ordinary explanation. The investigation intersects with occult lore as Van Helsing’s grandson explains the true source of the carnage. The pursuit forces characters to confront a supernatural truth beyond standard detective work.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

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Dracula’s Widow Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dracula’s Widow, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dracula’s Widow Summary

Dracula’s Widow Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dracula’s Widow with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dracula’s Widow Timeline

More About Dracula’s Widow

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More About Dracula’s Widow

Explore More About Movie Dracula’s Widow

Dracula’s Widow (1988) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Dracula’s Widow (1988) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Dracula’s Widow (1988) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow