What if a vampire had a disorder that prevents them from killing? “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” (2023) is a French-language Canadian film written and directed by Ariane Louis-Seize exploring a “teenage” vampire cursed with compassion for human life.
Sasha (Sara Montpetit) is unlike the rest of her family–she refuses to kill to get her necessary and natural food. She is a 68 year old teenage girl, a fact that will change in her lifetime, because in this universe the vampires do age, just very slowly. At the start of the movie, she does not have her fangs, due to a traumatic event from her childhood that causes her to feel compassion instead of bloodlust.
The plot begins when Sasha’s parents cut her blood supply off, an attempt to force her to become the killer she needs to become to survive. Sasha eventually tries to find someone that she does not feel bad about killing, coming across a suicidal teenage boy, Paul (Félix Antione-Bérnard).
The film is shot beautifully, with dark warm colors befitting a vampire and symmetrical scenes of gorgeous sets. Record players, gold framed paintings, and neon lights adorn the film creating a dark and romantic atmosphere for Sasha’s coming of age, and eventual relationship with a suicidal boy.
The score of the movie is fantastic as well, piano and orchestra create a dramatic feeling behind the pivotal scenes of the movie. This, along with the awkward charm of the two teenage leads, makes a romantic, funny, and beautiful movie to watch. This film uses vampirism excellently, representing social outcasts and growing up, but bringing a fresh twist to the vampire romance, something that feels completely separate from Twilight, or other modern vampire adaptations.
“Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” is an amazing film for a romance, with a hilarious cast of characters, and definitely my new favorite vampire movie. I want more out of this world, a sequel or at least a sitcom. I will definitely be looking into the director’s backlog. If you are into vampires, French movies, light romance, or dark comedies, I cannot recommend this movie enough. Just take an hour and a half to indulge in this rich, profound film about growing up different, and being able to survive through it.