Dracula -2000-

Upon release, was eviscerated. It holds a 16% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics called it "lifeless," "cheesy," and "unscary." Roger Ebert gave it a thumbs down, citing the Judas twist as "ridiculous."

Released on December 22, 1999 (wide on January 7, 2000), (often stylized as Dracula 2000 ) was Dimension Films’ attempt to modernize the Bram Stoker legend. Directed by Patrick Lussier (a longtime Wes Craven editor) and produced by the legendary Wes Craven himself, the film sought to answer a question nobody asked: What if Dracula was actually Judas Iscariot? Dracula -2000-

As Dracula, Butler brought a charismatic, seductive energy to the role, contrasting sharply with the more menacing or subtle portrayals of the past. Upon release, was eviscerated

In a masterful third-act twist, Dracula 2000 rejects the historical Prince Vlad the Impaler and instead posits that the Count is, in fact, Judas Iscariot. After betraying Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver, Judas was overcome with guilt and hanged himself. But the silver he had taken was cursed—not by God, but by the blood of Christ. For taking his own life, Judas was condemned not to death, but to eternal, undying existence. The silver of betrayal became his only weakness. The thirst for blood became his eternal punishment for rejecting salvation. This reinterpretation is a stroke of theological horror. It transforms Dracula from a tragic, romantic nobleman into something far more pitiable and terrifying: the first vampire as a permanent, walking sin, forever cut off from God’s grace. Directed by Patrick Lussier (a longtime Wes Craven