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El Conde (The Count) is a fresh take on the typical vampire story. In it, Augusto Pinochet, the Chilean dictator who was guilty of multiple atrocities and human rights abuses, is a 250-year-old vampire. In this narrative, he finally gets sick of the immortal life and wants to rest after bringing shame and scandal to his family. But, when an accountant enters the scene to handle his “ill-gotten money,” his plans are set up to change.

The plot avoids the standard bloodsucking storyline and is more satirical in its approach to vampire lore. The clear comparison of Pinochet and those in power to monsters, in a literal sense, makes it unique. The movie takes a bit to get going, but the dialogue and absurdity do not get stale — it is funny and entertaining. One drawback is how chatty it is, however, and the film could have benefited from more direction and perhaps a shorter run time.

Dark humor, or does it go too far? The film is focused on the Pinochet regime and could hit a sore spot as it might make light of an abusive leader. Taking such a lighthearted approach to reflect a time of so much corruption and injustice was a risky move but the film can also be interpreted as a satirical commentary on pain, suffering, and politics.

You can watch the film on Netflix.

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