Luc Besson’s Dracula, released in North America on February 6, 2026, reimagines Bram Stoker’s 1897 vampire story as a tragic romance. The story begins in the 15th century when Prince Vladimir renounces God and becomes a vampire after the death of his wife, Elisabeta.
Four hundred years later, in 19th-century Paris, he discovers Mina Murray, whom he believes is his wife’s reincarnation. He uses a magical perfume to draw her to him. However, he is being hunted down by a priest and Jonathan Harker.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers about the film. Viewer’s discretion is advised.
The film concludes with a final battle at Dracula’s castle, where he reunites with Mina. However, a priest warns that staying together will damn her soul. To save her, Dracula allows the priest to stake him. He turns to dust and finds peace, leaving a mourning Mina behind.
Dracula ending: Why Vlad allows himself to be staked to save mina from damnation
In the climax of Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale, the story moves to its tragic conclusion at Dracula’s castle in Romania.
The battle begins when a group of hunters, including the priest, the doctor, Henry, and Mina’s former fiancé Jonathan Harker, arrive at the castle with a small army of soldiers. They break into the ancient fortress, determined to destroy the vampire they believe has kidnapped Mina.
Despite being outnumbered, Dracula displays his immense supernatural power. He singlehandedly overpowers the soldiers, moving with terrifying speed and strength to protect his home and his bride. The fighting stops when Vlad corners the priest, holding a sword to his throat.
However, instead of begging for his life, the priest appeals to Vlad’s love for Mina. He argues that if Vlad turns Mina into a vampire to stay with him forever, he would be cursing her to the same miserable, dark existence he has endured for four hundred years. The priest explains that true love means letting her go so she can remain pure and find a place in heaven.
He tells Vlad that if he truly repents for his past sins, including the murder of the priest centuries ago, God might finally offer him salvation and rest. Realizing that the priest is right, Vlad decides he cannot condemn Mina to a life of shadows. Thus, he chooses to surrender.
To prevent Mina from interfering or trying to save him, he locks her safely in a separate room. He then submits himself to the priest, offering his life as a sign of true repentance. As Mina screams and begs him not to go from behind the locked door, the priest chants holy verses.
Using a stake and a hammer, the priest drives the wood into Vlad’s heart. The curse is imeediately lifted. Vlad transforms from a powerful warrior into a fragile, old man. Mina managed to reach him in his final seconds, cradling his head.
With his last breath, he tells her he did it because he loved her. His body then dissolves into dust, which drifts out of the castle windows and into the sky. As the sun rises, the other victims of the curse are restored to their human forms, signaling the end of Dracula‘s dark reign.
Edited by Suchita Patnaha
