The Midnight Horror: 'Kiss of the Damned' (2012)

♰ Welcome to The Midnight Horror! ♰

Ah, vampires—the creatures who tantalize the night with their sultry bite—where seduction lurks as closely as shadows.

Like a kid in a candy store, I indulged in horror ever since my formative years in the ’80s, but as the clock ticked toward the last decade, my enthusiasm steadily waned. What caused this unfortunate decline? Well, you see, a barrage of subpar, derivative dreck—not just the usual Hollywood flops, but also those overhyped gems that so-called horror aficionados shout about from the rooftops. My disappointment grew to the point where I could no longer trust anyone else's recommendations. Now, as October 2025 rolls around, it’s time for a grand return to The Midnight Horror. For 31 straight nights, I’m diving headfirst into a deliciously deranged journey of blood-curdling chills and twisted thrills.

Tonight, I sank my fangs into Kiss of the Damned, a titillating 2012 vampiric flick from director Xan Cassavetes—the daughter of the iconic John Cassavetes and the legendary Gena Rowlands. True, horror enthusiasts might have long buried their fangs into this one, but for me, it was a fresh taste. While I wasn't expecting anything resembling cinematic gold from a MAGNET title, a part of me was praying for at least 90 minutes of entertainment. After all, when vampires and sex are in the mix, blood should fly—pun entirely intended.

The opening title sequence sets a deliciously low budget '70s vibe that sends delightful shivers down my spine. As a true aficionado of Hammer Horror, I initially held my breath, waiting for the familiar, spine-tingling charm. But Kiss of the Damned veers off that path, reminiscent more of Jesús Franco’s European aesthetics—oddly charming, considering most of it was shot in the sleepy suburbs of Connecticut. Cassavetes and cinematographer Tobias Datum made audacious choices with their camera angles. They knew they faced financial constraints, yet their creative decisions transformed limitations into a unique, nail-biting experience.

The plot is as straightforward as a blood-red lipstick stain on an unsuspecting neck: Beautiful vampire Djuna (played by the alluring Josephine de La Baume) battles the passionate advances of dazzling human screenwriter Paolo (Milo Ventimiglia). Surrender is inevitable, but as her tempestuous sister, Mimi (Roxane Mesquida), unexpectedly shows up, the stakes rise, putting their passionate connection—and the entire community—on the line. This isn't your average moonlit rendezvous.

I couldn’t help but recognize three familiar faces: Milo Ventimiglia, reliable as the love interest; Michael Rapaport, who felt almost like a misplaced puzzle piece; and Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis, making a brief but decent appearance toward the film’s finale. Ventimiglia brings a solid performance, but Rapaport? His casting raised an eyebrow. Sure, I have nothing personal against the guy, but his role felt utterly out of place. Were they trying to fulfill some quirky checklist for the casting department? Call me nitpicky, but it felt like he stumbled into the wrong movie entirely.

Now, about the gore: while a couple of scenes dip their toes in the crimson pool of violence, Cassavetes cleverly skims over the carnage—presumably to align with budget limits or dodge that dreaded NC-17 rating. As a fan of restraint, I found the decision refreshing; sometimes, the scariest things are what your imagination conjures. And then there are the sex scenes—a tantalizingly explicit treat that perfectly sets the film’s tone. There’s one scene, in particular, that made me sit up and exclaim, “Well, aren’t we bold!”—a shower scene that perfectly embodies Mimi’s controlling, wicked ways.

The film’s conclusion is an unusual choice, which could have set the stage for a sequel that, let’s be honest, most likely will remain buried with the bodies. Some films, after all, don’t need a follow-up—a sentiment I firmly stand by.

In a delightful twist of fate, I was brutally surprised by Kiss of the Damned. What I thought would be a sure-fire massacre of my time turned out to be an enjoyable romp. On paper, the premise might scream cliché, but Xan Cassavetes’s cleverly crafted narrative offers a Gothic romance that bites back, leaving a sweet, lingering taste of horror that’s hard to shake. So, dear readers, grab your popcorn and prepare for a midnight rendezvous with chills and thrills! ╌★★★½✰

⁓B.J. Burgess