WFG RATING: B+

A Villainous Films production in association with Vista Film Sales. Written and directed by Alan Smith. Produced by Mike Ferguson, David M. Parks, Hail Adams, and Michael Anthony Joy. Cinematography by David M. Parks. Edited by Travis Land.

Stars Mike Ferguson, Cody Renee Cameron, LeeAnne Bell, Denise Milfort, William “Bill” Connor, Nathan Smith-Finley, and Cardon Ellis.

The classic Bram Stoker monster comes to life in present day Los Angeles in this horror film from the team behind Last Hit.

A series of murders has rocked Los Angeles and detectives Drake and Mills are on the case. The bodies are revealed to have bitemarks on their necks. Meanwhile, Mina and Lucy are best friends who find themselves perturbed when a mysterious stranger accosts Mina with Lucy fighting back. When the stranger returns that night to once again go after Mina, her boyfriend convinces her to stay with him, but Lucy assures him they will be safe.

That night, a mysterious presence arrives and attacks Lucy. When Mina realizes what has happened, she begins to take care of her. She is also convinced whoever has hurt her friend may be responsible for the murders happening in the city. With the advice of a local priest, she finally realizes the culprit is Dracula, and she must convince the detectives and find a way to stop the monster before she becomes his next victim.

This was quite an interesting take on the legend of Dracula. A modern-day effort, this film does quite well in terms of its execution and build-ups, as one woman tries to find who is responsible for what happened to her friend, who ironically starts out the strong one when our heroine is attacked by a mysterious stalker. Add to the mix, two detectives trying to solve a wave of murders in the city it meshes when it all comes together.

Mike Ferguson once again shows his knack as Detective Drake, who is committed to stopping whoever is responsible for the series of murders while having to sometimes rebuff the advances of his partner Mills, played by Denise Milfort. Meanwhile, Cody Renne Cameron, recently seen in Mutilator 2, is terrific as Mina as she starts out a victim when she is accosted by a mysterious stranger only to have to find the courage within herself when her best friend Lucy, played by Ferguson’s Last Hit co-star LeeAnne Bauer, is infected and slowly turns as the days pass.

The mystery man who accosted Mina is Mr. Field, played in a very creepy manner by Nathan Smith-Finley. You can only guess what his first name must be. Meanwhile, Mina gets help from Father Connor, played by William “Bill” Connor, who helps her muster up the courage to realize what or rather who is responsible for Lucy’s change. The final act reveals it all and it takes quite a shocking twist that becomes jaw-dropping.

Dracula Eternal is actually a fun modern-day take on the legend with some great performances by Mike Ferguson and Cody Renee Cameron. The jaw-dropping twist at the finale definitely makes this one to check out for vampire film fans.