Having spent decades apart, two centuries-old vampires named Adam (Tom Hiddleston – Thor) and Eve (Tilda Swinton – The Grand Budapest Hotel) finally reunite and navigate an ever-changing world. Adam looks to have given up hope but with Eve back in his life, purpose is restored. However the surprise visit of her younger sister Mia (Mia Wasikowska – Stoker), a girl Adam can’t tolerate, leads to a complicated and potentially destructive path for them all.
Destined to be a cult classic, this timeless tale of vampirism played out as the perfect alternative for Valentines this year (during it’s theatrical run). This isn’t your usual teen love connection either so Twilight fans looking to pitch their tent to a new saga need not apply. This is instead a brooding and sweeping romance for adults with a dark twist of sharp comedy at its core.
Tom Hiddleston is enjoying a very fruitful career after his blockbuster success with Thor and The Avengers. Only Lovers Left Alive gives the talented actor a nice platform to flex his thespian muscles once again. His is a delicate and understated performance full of regret and passion. He is equalled by a similarly powerful turn from Tilda Swinton, frequently the best thing in any project she takes on. The two share a timeless chemistry that gives this vampiric love story a beating heart. Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt and Star Trek’s Anton Yelchin provide accomplished support and are a joy to watch too.
Jim Jarmusch’s artistic eye frames this project perfectly and gives it a timeless feel – something that fits the story’s theme perfectly. The visuals are gorgeously put together and are occasionally masked in a darkness that’s both stunning and isolating. The nods to an ever-changing world around them are also well handled with pop-culture references that serve up satire well.
Only Lovers Left Alive is the best Vampire mythology movie we have seen in decades. Taking the very essence of what makes them so appealing and translating this to a captivatingly realistic situation, Jim Jarmusch has made a cult film for the ages. This will be remembered for years to come and oozes coolness throughout but it’s the hypnotic performances of Hiddleston and Swinton that captivate the most. This glorious and beautiful tale of cursed love is easily one of the highlights of the year.
