‘Interview with the Vampire’ Recap: ‘In Throws of Increasing Wonder’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Interview with the Vampire’.
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The long awaited and anticipated series adaptation of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire has finally arrived. This AMC show holds a lot of promise from just the first episode. The first episode does a great job of setting up the world for both old and new fans. Getting reacquainted with the characters or rather reintroduced. There have been some changes that add more to the story in a way that I didn’t realize it was lacking. Louis’ character, for instance, has the most significant and welcomed change. Louis now offers a different, welcome, perspective and a great commentary on past and present racial issues. Louis thrives in 1910 New Orleans, still having to face mass racism. The show walks a fine line on the level of realism it’s willing to show.

Louis built a very nice life for his family. Living on a former sugar cane plantation, he’s able to take funds from his father’s failing farm and turn that into a thriving enterprise with 8 brothels under his belt. His brother, Paul, doesn’t approve. A devout Catholic and clearly not neurotypical, Paul is the closest to Louis. While Louis isn’t tolerant or understanding about his brother, he still does his best. He indulges Paul, takes him to their local Church that Paul loves so much.
 
Paul’s character is probably the most accurately represented with how people who were not neurotypical were treated years ago. Their sister Grace would much rather put Paul in a home. Let’s be honest, those places didn’t have the best reputation. Historically, people with disabilities or mental health concerns often died in these homes from neglect, murder, and suicide. They were not a pleasant experience to say the least.

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The relationship between Paul and Louis seems to put a strain on the relationship between Louis and his mother. Louis is quick to fight with Paul, as much as he loves him, he doesn’t have the patience most of the time. Louis, while thriving, is struggling to keep afloat. After all, he’s a rich Black man trying to fit in with people who clearly don’t respect him, trying to keep his place at their table. This all creates the perfect storm for Lestat to swoop in.

The relationship between Louis and Lestat has often been idolized. Seen as romantic and the pinnacle of a gay relationship. The reality is that they are no different than the Joker and Harley. Lestat hunts Louis down. Worms his way into the man’s life, and becomes an integral part of Louis life, a friend in a sea of enemies. Lestat is grooming Louis. He’s going out of his way to play on every weak and insecure spot Louis has. It’s an abusive, toxic, relationship in the making. Lestat waits until Louis is at his lowest. Paul’s suicide is more than a shock, but having his mother blame him has Louis struggling. Lestat even interrupts the funeral.

It’s the final straw, one that breaks Louis down emotionally, to the point where he can’t take it anymore. In Confession, in the midst of his breakdown, Lastat shows up, murders the priests in the church, and then turns Louis. Kills the man that Louis was and makes him into a monster just like him. Of course, these are past events. Louis is alive and well and telling the reporter all this in 2022. Louis is as much a victim as he is a villain.

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