The essay analyzes the interconnectedness
of the new vampire genre and the prevalence of
what is defined as “borderline culture”. Identifying the
main tenets of “neovampirism” which originates in
the works of Anne Rice, it also reviews its other manifestations
in popular culture – in recent films and TV
series. Neovampirism reinterprets the old vampire
tradition, as the new vampire, i.e. his positive pole,
emerges as deeply troubled and tortured being, structured
through the neurotic repression of his hunger
for blood, being in the eternal conflict with his inherited
intensities. His evil counterpart, the bad vampire,
belongs to an old, outdated tradition. Popular representations
of the vampire are brought into relation
with borderline culture as a culture which promotes
intensity as the measure of aliveness.

Željka Matijašević i Barbara Pleić Tomić