Two Goths and a Coffin

“What Can the Damned Say to the Damned”: A Spoiler-free Review

The second season of AMC’s provocative series Interview with the Vampire is just around the corner. Premiering on May 12, it promises to captivate us again. Having attended an advanced screening of the first episode at The 92nd Street Y, I am excited to share my initial impressions in this brief, spoiler-free review.

The opening season ended with the revelation that Rashid, portrayed by Assad Zaman, is not only the powerful vampire Armand but also the current love of Louis’ (Jacob Anderson) life. Setting the stage for season 2, Louis and Claudia (now played by Delainey Hayles) depart for Europe after their attempted murder of their patriarchal maker and Louis’ ex-lover, Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) to free them from his abuse and control.

Season 2 picks up right where the previous season left off, with a title sequence seamlessly transitioning into the European war zone of World War II. Here, we find Louis and Claudia embarking on a search for other vampires, setting the stage for their next narrative arc.

The premiere episode is charged with emotion and cheeky wit that doesn’t feel out of place. This is particularly evident in Dubai, where dynamics shift dramatically following Armand’s revelation as the top predator in the room. 

Assad Zaman brings a lot of character to his portrayal of the vampire Armand, stepping in as the new leading man alongside Jacob Anderson. Tension in the Dubai penthouse builds as they continue their interview with the brash journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian). Zaman presents us with a phenomenal performance that feels electric but very controlled and debonaire, with a lurking danger in his gaze. 

In Dubai, the episode also presents us with our first glimpses into the relationship between Louis and Armand. This is extremely exciting, as we don’t often see queer interracial relationships between two people of color on the screen.

Also, in season 2, Louis has carried his past lover with him across the ocean as a haunting figure in his head. Reid portrays this ghostly vision like a heavyweight on Louis’ shoulder.

Meanwhile, Delainey Hayles impressively assumes the role of Claudia, brilliantly building on the foundation left for her by Bailey Bass in season 1. She does a stunning job of showing us where Claudia is at this time as she tries to find answers that she’s been denied. Hayles and Anderson also share an authentic chemistry, fostering a sincere familial intimacy that is sure to wreck us by the end of the season.

As for Jacob Anderson, his portrayal of Louis de Pointe du Lac remains a highlight of the series. He once again proves why he is the titular vampire! Just as last season, his portrayal of Louis de Pointe du Lac is on point. His performance is compelling, drawing you in and feeding into your soul as Louis puts pieces together, capturing a wide range of multifaceted emotions in just the first episode alone! He shines in how he expresses these feelings on his face and in his delivery.

Similarly to its previous season, the show does not shy away from race and exploring how Louis and Claudia navigate their existence as vampires while being a black family in Eastern Europe. This aspect of the series’ storytelling is of significant interest to me. I am intrigued to see how they continue to weave themes surrounding race into the rest of the season, as they did so brilliantly in the first one.

Season 2 also embraces a darker tone, introducing more horror elements I adore and hope carry out throughout the remaining episodes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the screening of this first episode, and I think audiences will as well. The cast and crew have done an excellent job setting the tone for the season ahead. I’m already pinpointing specific themes and motifs on a whiteboard in my head that I believe will carry on through the season. I look forward to digging deeper into the series and sharing my thoughts here as the season progresses.