What is it about a show that hooks viewers and pulls them down into the depths of its world? The pilot episode of any story can make all the difference. The difficulty of introducing audiences to a whole new world and characters, all the while making them invested in people they’ve only just met, cannot be understated. Some shows fail to strike the right balance. But others get it just right. One such show is AMC’s Interview with the Vampire. This stunning adaptation of Anne Rice’s classic vampire novels has garnered loyal fans, some fans of the books and some newly initiated to the world she created. And for good reason. The show is a masterclass in acting, writing, and cinematography. The atmosphere and the characters are all as alluring as the story itself.
Though Interview with the Vampire season one has been out for some time now, looking back, those first forays into the story are as strong as ever. The first episode itself manages to capture everything that makes the show great within its hour and six-minute run time. With the show’s third season on the distant, hopefully not-so-distant horizon, what better time to return to where it all began?
Hook
Episode one kicks off with what initially feels like a stark contrast to the rest of the show. We meet Daniel Molloy, played by Eric Bogosian, through an earnest advertisement aimed at reviving his career. That is until he receives a call from an old “friend.” As Daniel sits down for a second interview with Louis de Pointe du Lac after many years, Eric Bogosian and Jacob Anderson’s acting immediately pulls the viewer in. Even without having learned of their past yet, their history is evident in their interactions, making us want to know more about them. As Louis starts to tell his story, the language of Anne Rice really shines. Anderson’s delivery makes each word count. It’s immediately obvious that this man, this vampire, has so much he hasn’t shared yet. Each sentence draws us further in. Until finally, the real story begins.
Atmosphere
With Louis’s words, we’re transported back to 1910 New Orleans. The atmosphere is immediately palpable. From the dim yellow streetlights to the sound of horses on cobblestones and people yelling from balconies. It feels like a completely different show from the nine minutes. From the very beginning of the series, the worldbuilding is already rich. There’s a strong sense of place, not just from the locations and set designs, but from the way the actors carry themselves. We’re introduced to a younger Louis that we have to reconcile with the current one, giving us a sense of just how long this man has lived. 1910 Louis’s accent and demeanor are very different from the interview Louis but they feel ingrained. The show celebrates his identity and honors his reality. You can see how his circumstances and the people around him have changed him over the years.
Character Development
What’s especially enticing about this first episode is how quickly you can connect with the characters. Starting with Louis, we’re thrown into his world, and with his narration guiding us, we learn a lot about him early on. We see how he’s treated as a Black man in the 70s, how he struggles with his sexuality, and how he loves his family even when they cause him pain. Many shows fail to make audiences empathize with their characters so quickly.
And in the midst of Louis’s story, we get Lestat’s introduction. The small glimpses we get building to larger interactions add to the mystery that is his character. Something about him feels ominous, yet just like Louis, we can’t help but fall for his charm. The outbreak with Louis’s brother later in the episode cracks through his charm, letting us in on a little of his past as well. The show strikes a delicate balance between giving the audience information and withholding just enough to keep them intrigued.
Pacing
Interview with the Vampire‘s biggest strength in its first episode may be its pacing. The show takes us through an introduction to Louis’s life, his first meeting with Lestat, the beginning of their relationship, and the death of Louis’s brother. By the time we reach the end and Louis’s turning, we feel like we’ve seen a whole life play out. The whole spectrum of emotions is felt in one episode. It feels almost like a movie in itself.
With so many plot points covered in a relatively short period of time, the pacing could easily feel off. Many shows either stuff too many disconnected events into their first episode or condensed introduction to the world. Interview with the Vampire makes the story flow, each interaction naturally leading into the next even when time passes between. Louis’s first meeting with Lestat is the catalyst that takes him through to their final confrontation at the end of the episode. The tension has been building from the beginning. The audience feels immersed in the world and invested in this climax that we’ve been led to.
Both Louis and Lestat bring a raw vulnerability to this final scene that reflects their own traumas and foreshadows what’s to come for them after this first episode. The way Louis describes the feelings of being turned, accompanied by haunting strings and intimate camerawork, creates vivid imagery. This turning scene stands out from other vampire stories and other shows in general. No detail of Louis’s experience is left out. It feels both beautiful and eerie, raising questions of morality that persist throughout the rest of the season. As one last tear of blood runs down Louis’s face, we grieve Louis’s former self and look forward to seeing who he becomes alongside Lestat. Louis’s own words capture the conclusion to this standout pilot best: “The end. The beginning.”
