PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Ever since the advent of Cocaine Bear, we’ve seen the independent horror scene flooded with drug addled antagonists. But our latest fix comes from Fuzzy Monkey Films, where the addict isn’t an animal, but Dracula himself. Let’s sink our teeth into Cracula and see what it delivers.
Cracula was written by Brad Twigg (Killer Campout Part II 2024), Michelle Bowser (Shriekshow 2022), and Tim Hale (Stalker Jane 2024), and directed by Twigg. It stars Hale, Chris Rhydings (OnlyFangs 2025, read our review here) and Chanda Rawlings (Return of the Corn Zombies 2025). It serves as a unique update to the classic Dracula tale that we’ve all come to know, but with a lot more comedy and top-notch gore mixed in.
Hale shines as an embodiment of Dracula who learns that he prefers the taste of blood that’s been tainted by crack. He brings a nice palette of regal power to the character, being the more stoic balance to his over-the-top sidekick. While Dracula searches for the properly seasoned plasma to dine on, Rhydings plays a descendent of Van Helsing whose new property becomes Dracula’s lair.
Cracula isn’t your standard “countdown to the final battle”, though. Dracula starts to amass a squad of salacious succubi who pop up all over town to turn and feed on various citizens, while the police try to stop the murders. The bloodbath is beautiful, as the gore really shines in this adaptation. Along the way, we get body parts turned into monsters, in what feels like a mashup between peak Troma Films and Teeth.
Every character has a clear mission and a distinctive personality, which is a huge credit to the writing team. We also get a dual role of a male pimp and a female vampire hunter; both played as individual standouts by Melissa Sapienza (Wally Meets Popeye 2025). The lighting is mood-enhancing, the jokes are self-aware, and the final battle is satisfying.
Cracula is finishing up its first festival run. Follow Fuzzy Monkey Films on Facebook and YouTube to keep up with its distribution status.
