Habit 4K 1995

If I were to compile a list of my favorite indie directors, Larry Fessenden would definitely be on it. He hasn't made that many films, but I highly rate each one of them, and they all have original plots. His films always lean more towards horror than drama. Behind every film about werewolves, vendigos, and predatory fish lies a social commentary. The somewhat forgotten 1995 film The Habit, which tells the story of codependent relationships through vampirism, is no exception.

Sam, an alcoholic who recently lost his father and broke up with his ex-girlfriend, meets Anna at a Halloween party, and they immediately take a liking to each other. At first, everything seems to be going well, but the longer Sam is in the relationship, the worse he feels, beginning to suspect that his new girlfriend is a vampire.
Filmed on a shoestring budget, this indie horror film impresses not with its special effects, which are practically non-existent, but with the gothic atmosphere of autumn in New York. The wonderful cinematography savors the night scenes, especially the characters' walk through the park. In general, by rejecting any cheap scares in favor of suspense and eerie mystery, the creators made absolutely the right choice. It can be said that this is the most realistic film about vampires, not devoid of Gothic romance.
The lead role is played by Larry Fessenden himself, who is also an actor with a track record that includes Jarmusch, Ty West, and even Scorsese. He did a great job with the role; you believe and empathize with all his emotions, and he's not lacking in natural charisma. The other actors are completely unknown, but the actress who played Anna stuck in my memory with her gloomy charm and unusual beauty.

The idea of showing an unhealthy codependent relationship, in which bursts of tenderness and passion are combined with absolutely terrible periods of neglect, bouts of anxiety, and even abuse, may not be new, but it is executed beautifully here. Moreover, the metaphor is not presented in a heavy-handed way, and as a vampire horror film, it works just as well as a social drama. And that says a lot.

The Habit is an incredibly underrated hidden gem of 90s horror. It is a romantic and at the same time terrifying story of mad passion set against the backdrop of gloomy New York, essentially a vampire version of Last Tango in Paris. I recommend watching it, I promise you won't regret it.