The Return of Dracula

A centuries-old vampire who escapes a tomb in the Balkans and travels to California, where he shadows the family as Bellac Gordal. He uses charm and impersonation to blend in, turning a quiet town into a stage for his predatory game. His influence is physical and hypnotic, drawing out fear and betrayal before his final confrontation at the mine.

A mysterious Czech artist who arrives in California under an assumed identity. He isolates himself within the family life and maintains a secret resting place in an abandoned mine. His artful facade masks a predatory hunger, and the hidden coffin within the mine becomes a focal point of the plot.

A young woman with a passion for art and clothing design who eagerly meets her ‘cousin’ Bellac. She is central to the emotional tension, drawn to Bellac’s mystery yet unsettled by his evasiveness. Her perception of reality becomes a battleground as the threat closes in.

Rachel’s boyfriend who becomes entangled in Bellac’s hypnotic influence. He is manipulated into a precarious alliance but ultimately helps resist the vampire’s hold. His arc explores loyalty, fear, and the difficulty of breaking free from manipulation.

A detective appointed to investigate Bellac’s identity and the peculiar happenings surrounding the family. He uncovers clues about immigration and provenance but is ultimately drawn into the peril as Jennie’s haunting voice and the town’s dangers unfold.

A resident of the parish house who is initially blind and cared for by the community. Bellac awakens her to offer sight, then she becomes a vehicle for his return and later dies, only to reappear as a warning. Her arc is pivotal to the ritual and the town’s dread.

Bellac’s widowed cousin who welcomes him into her home in Carleton with her children, forming the family dynamic that Bellac exploits. She embodies a protective, provincial hospitality that masks deeper tensions around Bellac’s presence.

Cora’s child whose beloved cat’s disappearance foreshadows the danger lurking in the mine. This adds a personal stake for the family and hints at the violence underlying Bellac’s quiet exterior.

The parish priest who becomes involved as the community’s moral anchor and a voice of suspicion regarding Bellac’s odd absence and the crypt’s emptiness. He collaborates with Meierman to trap the vampire.

A local figure associated with the investigation who provides context for the threat and helps connect the dots between the immigration records, Bellac’s deception, and the town’s safety.

The local lawman who oversees law and order in Carleton and interacts with the investigation into the strange events surrounding Bellac. His role anchors the authority in the town.