“This isn’t just sex, drugs, and rock n roll. This is sex, drugs, rock n roll, and drinking blood out of necks.”
– Eric Bogosian (Daniel Malloy)
Interview With the Vampire, now retitled The Vampire Lestat, didn’t hold back during its premiere. After Louis’s (Jacob Anderson) story was released, it was only a matter of time before Lestat (Sam Reid) told his side. And of course, Daniel Malloy (Eric Bogosian) is there for it, ready to write his next book. While we think this vampire needs no introduction, Lestat stole the show. While facing the possibility of becoming the next rock god, he struggles against vampires wanting to kill him and his memories threatening to make him comatose.
Let’s review!
Interviewing a Rock God
The episode began with a quiet and dramatic auction of Lestat’s music—the only music he ever made. Everybody who’s anybody was in attendance. Armand (Assad Zaman), Louis, and even the Talamasca. But where was Lestat to make a show of this himself? His missing presence left us wondering what could have happened that he would miss his own auction.
In 2025, Daniel is now following Lestat around. Lestat has decided that if Louis can release his biographical tale, then he could tell his own version, and Daniel was eating it up—as a vampire. Daniel’s effort was stunted with mediocre replies and his texting Louis as a distraction.
Yet, there was one question that Daiel was determined to get an answer to. It was a key starting place and Lestat did everything in his power to avoid answering it. From trying reverse psychology on Daniel to using Louis as a distraction through texting.
“Did you stutter as a child?”
While Daniel and Lestat did butt heads often throughout the episode, it was obvious that Daniel was enamored and amused by Lestat. Even when Lestat was at the mercy of the “Fang Gang”, Daniel was quick to come to his aid with the help of Samuel Barclay.
Whether he’d come to Lestat’s aid because he cared or because he wasn’t about to let his next story bite the dust, it was impressive to see Daniel kick some vampire ass.
The Fang Gang
While Lestat is living it up on stage, the vampire community is finding his lude display insulting. In Detroit, the first of many stops (more than likely). Lestat already knows that wherever he goes, he’s basically a dead man walking. Yet, that’s part of what’s so enticing about chasing the dream of stardom for him. The danger. Unlife does become exciting for Lestat whenever there’s danger.
While learning the extra tidbits of what it is to be a vampire is delightful, coming from Lestat, his ability to always get in trouble is humorous. Not only was he revealing vampire secrets to the world (not that the world believed him), he got high on the blood of an adorable human named Baby Jenks (Ella Ballentine) who jumped on stage for a chance to hug him.
There’s a good chance that Lestat had an epiphany when he saw her ghost floating on the ceiling as Daniel tried to revive the little manic pixie, but there’s also a stronger chance he was tripping really hard after a flood of traumatic memories that had been buried deep was unleashed. But, with how the Immortal Universe works, I’m leaning toward option number one.
The best part of Lestat’s trip wasn’t seeing Baby Jenks floating on the ceiling or even having a vision of Louis in the crowd as he performed on stage. It was most definitely the fight scene that ensued after Baby Jenks revealed she was getting married in a week and she’d never forget Lestat. What a bachelorette party for her. We’re only a little jealous.
The scene showcased vampiric abilities in a different light compared to IWTV. This wasn’t a domestic fight. It was a throwdown of destructive proportions. And, Lestat was vibing the whole time as if it was merely a playground tussle. He is what we’d describe as chaotic-good.
Still Yearning
Throughout the episode, we were hanging on every moment and interaction between Lestat and Louis. Whether through texting or video call, it was wholesome to see them at least talking again. To feel it from Lestat’s overdramatic and romantic heart versus Louis’s brooding and sheltered sense of despair was stunning.
While Lestat is moving up in the world, it’s no surprise that he reached out for someone with a twisted and gnarled past just like him to help him with his wounded heart. His mother. Now, we only caught glimpses of her in Lestat’s brief flashback throughout the episode, but it’s the most natural thing in the world to seek out your mother when you’re in emotional and traumatic turmoil. We found that to be the most relatable part of the whole episode. I can’t wait to see the havoc those two will wreak this season.
His brand of drama is intoxicatingly addictive, and it’s only episode 1. And, with Akasha entering the scene during Lestat’s most iconic era, this season is going to be unhinged to the fullest.
What did you think of the season premiere? Let’s chat in the comments below!
