Brides of Dracula
- For the 1960 Hammer film, see The Brides of Dracula
Brides of Dracula refers to the minions of the famed Lord of Vampires, Count Dracula. In many interpretations of the Vampire's namesake, they're usually women Dracula has killed and revived and who serve under him as vampires. They are not married to Dracula in the social sense of the word. In many interpretations, they are seen in flowing nightgowns, acting as sexual predators to those that come after their master. Like Dracula, they are shapeshifters and immortals, are negatively affected by religious objects, and avoid the light at all costs. In some versions of the story, noteably the Francis Ford Coppola version of Dracula, Dracula brings victims to the Brides for them to feed, including infants and children.
In their interactions with humans, they are typically sadistic. Men like Abraham Van Helsing and Jonathan Harker are both attracted and revolted by their seductive movements.
In the 2004 film Van Helsing the brides names were Marishka, Aleera, and Verona and they were played by actresses Josie Maran, Elena Anaya and Silvia Colloca. In the 1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula by Francis Ford Coppola the brides remained nameless. They were played by Monica Bellucci, Michaela Bercu and Florina Kendrick.
In most films depicting them, there is one blonde, one redhead, and one with black hair.