IT’S that time of the year again when a whack of horror movies appear in cinemas nationwide, delivering graphic images of blood-thirsty creatures, possessed individuals, and dark magic.

Dracula Untold is a ‘spook-tacular’ film that sets the ‘stakes’ high in the lead up to Halloween with its ability to both haunt and entertain the anxious viewer.

The dark fantasy re-introduces the history and origins of Dracula and Vlad the Impaler. Its modern take alongside the use of state-of-the-art costumes and props, crafts this movie into the success that it is.

However, at some points, the supposedly spine-chilling vampires end up looking like disturbed zombies.

Dracula Untold tells the tale of a strong prince named Vlad the Impaler who rules over a small Transylvania kingdom with his wife and son and who allows no harm to come to his district and its inhabitants.

However, the peace is short-lived when a warlord called Mehmed, the Sultan of Turkey, demands 1000 Transylvanian boys including the prince’s son. Mehmed sees it as an obligation and has strict plans for the boys.

Vlad quickly realises that the only way to protect his people is by defeating Mehmed and his army of men. The clock is ticking and Vlad does not have the powers and resources he needs. That is, until he comes face to face with the monster every man fears.

The casting of Dracula Untold seems to have been done with precision as Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, and Dominic Cooper are superb for their roles and play their characters to perfection.

Lasting a total of 92 minutes, Dracula Untold is not the lengthiest film to be released this year but, in this case, any longer and the movie would have been dragged out.

Rated 15a and directed by Irishman and Dubliner Gary Shore, this is the perfect movie for those seeking a bit of horror without the usual jumpy and frightfully sinister insertions.