Love at First Like

The infamous Count Dracula is expelled from his castle by the Communist government of Romania, which plans to convert the fortress into a gymnastic training facility. He leaves with his bug-eating manservant, Renfield, and sets course for the United States. This marks the beginning of his uneasy journey into the modern world.

Dracula arrives in New York City with Renfield and checks into a hotel, seeking anonymity among the neon glare. A chaotic airport transport mix-up sends his coffin to a funeral centerpiece in a black Harlem church, turning death into a spectacle.

Dracula learns about modern America, discovering blood banks, discotheques, and the city’s wild nightlife. He watches the bustle with wary curiosity, navigating this strange, sparkling world.

The Count fixates on Cindy Sondheim, a fashion model he believes to be Mina Harker reborn. He begins pursuing her as the possible love of his undead life.

Cindy's psychiatrist and quasi-boyfriend, Jeffrey Rosenberg, learns of Dracula and decides to confront him 'for professional reasons'. He adopts a battle plan against the vampire, under the shadow of his famous ancestral nemesis, Fritz van Helsing.

Rosenberg tries every trick he can think of—mirrors, garlic, a Star of David in place of a cross, and mind games—but Dracula's powers render them ineffective. The Count remains calm and untroubled, turning aside each tactic with ease.

Rosenberg switches to direct action and attempts to burn Dracula's coffin with the vampire inside. The arson attempt fails, and he is arrested by hotel security for reckless behavior.

Resentful but persistent, Rosenberg tries to shoot Dracula with silver bullets. Dracula explains that silver bullets only affect werewolves, leaving him unharmed.

As his methods grow more erratic, the authorities deem him a danger and he is locked away as a lunatic. Rosenberg's confinement isolates him from the case as the city continues its strange vigil over Dracula.

Lieutenant Ferguson, an NYPD officer, starts to believe the psychiatrist's claims and arranges for Rosenberg's release. He becomes involved in the escalating pursuit around Dracula and Cindy.

A city-wide blackout erupts as Dracula flees with Cindy in a taxi toward the airport, pursued by Rosenberg and Ferguson. Their escape is complicated when the coffin is diverted again, ending up in Jamaica instead of London and forcing the couple to miss their flight.

On the airport runway, Cindy agrees to become Dracula's vampire bride, sealing their bond. The moment underscores the Count's hunger for companionship in this modern, dangerous world.

Rosenberg moves in for the kill and attempts to stake Dracula, but the Count and Cindy swiftly escape together. They turn their flight into a new beginning as they slip away into the night.

A sudden check falls from the sky, paying off Cindy's enormous psychiatry bill owed to Rosenberg. Rosenberg keeps Dracula's cape as a trophy, while Ferguson borrows it to look stylish on his wedding anniversary.

Dracula and Cindy, now transformed into bats, fly toward Jamaica, leaving New York behind. The film closes on their ominous escape into the Caribbean night.