Cold Hearts (1999)

Cold Hearts Poster

A quiet town in New Jersey possesses a dark secret. Viktoria has given her life and soul to the ways of the vampire...

Overview
"Cold Hearts" is a vampire-themed film directed and written by Robert A. Masciantonio, released in 1999. A modern-day twist to the vampire legend, "Cold Hearts" forges ahead with its story of two females living as vampires facing their emotional and existential devils. The film stars Marisa Ryan, Amy Jo Johnson, and Christian Cambell, who bring to life characters captured in the battle of balancing their human background versus their vampire existence.

Plot Summary
"Cold Hearts" centers around Viktoria (Marisa Ryan) and her buddy Alyssa (Amy Joh Johnson), both of whom are vampires. Viktoria is a 200-year-old vampire trying to maintain some form of normalcy and handle her vampirism. She looks after her 'sibling,' Alyssa, who a kindred and more overtly vicious vampire who unapologetically embraces her nature and survival impulses. They are constantly hunted by Charles (played by Christian Campbell), a regional police officer who is encouraged of their unnatural presence.

Viktoria takes part in an intense romantic relationship with a human called Sean (Brendan Kelly), highlighting the dispute between her vampire nature and her lingering humanity. Viktoria's decision to expose her true nature to Sean puts her at odds with Alyssa, additional straining their relationship, while intensifying the threat from Charles, who grows increasingly hell-bent on hunting them down.

Thematic Elements
"Cold Hearts" is especially understood for its exploration of themes such as identity, existentialism, morality, and self-reflection. Viktoria's struggle as a vampire is palpable-- she comes to grips with her ability to enjoy and her ultimate need for survival.


Execution
"Cold Hearts" is as much a psychological thriller as it is a vampire drama. The movie preserves an air of mystery and thriller, supplying a refreshing departure from traditional vampire tales. Provided its low-budget background, "Cold Hearts" does an admirable task of developing atmospheric tension and structure complex characters. It offers a various perspective on the vampire category, focusing more on the battle with personhood than the monstrous, bloodthirsty angle usually presented in vampire movies. The representations of Viktoria and Alyssa reveal the dichotomy in between the human background and the unethical vampire existence.

Conclusion
In general, "Cold Hearts" is a haunting, brooding movie that paints an appealing photo of vampirism as a metaphor for facing one's identity. Its unique take on the category sets it apart from standard vampire tales by focusing on illustrating their struggles with morality and human feelings. It's a dark, moody, and reflective film, one that leaves audiences contemplating about the characters' ethical predicaments and existential dilemmas. It likewise showcases the effects of the past and their options on their current lives, leading to a compelling cinematic experience that dives much deeper than the typical vampire flick. It is a well-directed movie, supported by an engaging script, and piece de resistances from the cast, that is successful in bringing these intricate characters to life, making "Cold Hearts" an unforgettable addition to the vampire filmography.

Top Cast

  • Marisa Ryan (small)
    Marisa Ryan
    Viktoria
  • Robert Floyd (small)
    Robert Floyd
    Seth
  • Amy Jo Johnson (small)
    Amy Jo Johnson
    Alicia
  • Fred Norris (small)
    Fred Norris
    Uncle Joe
  • Jon Huertas (small)
    Jon Huertas
    Darius
  • Christian Campbell (small)
    Christian Campbell
    John Luke
  • Dale Godboldo (small)
    Dale Godboldo
    Connor
  • James Palmer
    Duncan
  • Greg Jackson
    R.P.
  • Robert A. Masciantonio
    Kevin
  • Mark Umile
    Kinka