THE GBHBL Definitive Ranking of the Subspecies Film Series
Beginning in 1991 and ending in 2023, Subspecies is a direct-to-video horror film series produced by Full Moon Studios and Castel Film Studios. A series of films all written and directed by Ted Nicolaou and starring Anders Hove.
He plays the vampire Radu Vladislas and the series of films follows his exploits and efforts to turn Michelle Morgan (originally played by Laura Mae Tate and later played by Denice Duff) into his fledgling.
The main series is five films long, but in 1997, a spin-off film called Vampire Journals was released and featured characters that would go on to appear in the fourth installment of the main series. Which is why, even though it doesn’t involve Radu or Michelle, Vampire Journals is considered necessary watching by fans of the series.
With a strong cult following, the Subspecies series is one of Full Moon’s most popular franchises, and for good reasons. The quality in films might range, but all deliver enjoyable vampire action and horror steeped in big, gothic vibes. For many, the characters of Radu and Michelle are as iconic as Dracula and Mina.
We’ve seen them all, written about them all, and now offer up our definitive ranking. As always, this ranking is based on the scores we gave each film in its standalone review. If two films scored the same, the one that is more likely to be watched again will go higher.
Subspecies V: Blood Rise (2023)
Our Score: 6/10
25-plus years after he was finally put out to pasture, Radu is back in the fifth instalment of the Subspecies franchise (sixth if we’re counting Vampire Journals, and we should). So, how is he back? He’s not really, as Subspecies V: Blood Rise is a prequel. One that focuses on our beloved vampire master (Anders Hove reprising his role) and how he became the monster he was.
Subspecies V: Blood Rise is thoroughly enjoyable. It looks great, it sounds great, there are some really good gore effects (some dodgy CGI though), and the stars absolutely shine. It’s not a film anyone expected, or even wanted to some degree, but it’s not an unwelcome addition to the franchise.
Read our full review here.
Subspecies (1991)
Our Score: 6/10
Subspecies is a very entertaining film, but not at first. In fact, at first, aside from looking quite lovely and gothic and sounding bombastic (the soundtrack is ace), it’s a really boring film. The story is slow, the characters are bland, the acting is so-so, and it has very little forward momentum. Enter Radu and the excellent Anders Hove, who manages to make his vampire a unique figure.
Not just because of how unsettling he looks, but the way he moves, the way he speaks, and how he seems so threatening without really doing anything. In fact, thanks to some really simple filming techniques, clever shots, and unique perspectives, Radu is undeniably dangerous. As far as characters go, he is the sole reason to watch this film.
It’s his arrival that sees the film finally come to life and everyone seems to start to have a bit more fun with what they’re doing, especially when they get to ‘vamp’ it up. It’s still quite serious overall (something that would be rectified in sequels), but it’s a much more entertaining watch.
Read our full review here.
Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm (1998)
Our Score: 6.5/10
Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm is a slower film, and it doesn’t quite have the same feel of the series so far. Though that doesn’t stop Ted Nicolaou doing everything he can to give it thick, gothic atmosphere. It’s one of the series’ most impressive aspects, and once again, it doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s one of the finest for utilising shadows and a particular scene where Radu demands his fledgling back with quiet grace and undue threat and how that is shot, is one of the most memorable of the franchise.
It’s a great end to the series (which it currently is – the next one is a prequel) and it does end with a real sense of finality. If you’ve enjoyed everything up to this point in this franchise, you won’t come away disappointed here.
Read our full review here.
Bloodlust: Subspecies III (1994)
Our Score: 7/10
A plethora of gorgeous locales, gothic vibes, malevolent moments of horror, action, big musical themes, and a cliff-hanger that meant a fourth entry would be on the way, Bloodlust: Subspecies III is another great entry in the series.
When people talk about the quality aspects of the Subspecies franchise, it is often these middle films that are referenced as the most impressive. While Bloodlust: Subspecies III isn’t quite as strong as Bloodstone: Subspecies II (mainly because of CIA Bob), it’s still thoroughly enjoyable.
Read our full review here.
Vampire Journals (1997)
Our Score: 7.5/10
The main Subspecies films always looked nice, but this is on a different level. A word like ‘opulent’ comes to mind, but with a bit more sleaze about it.
This translates into a surprising amount of atmosphere, enhancing the gothic horror, and making everything just that little bit ‘velvety’. Seriously, this film looks sexy. At least as sexy as these vampires can, as Nicolaou still wants you to know this is a horror film/franchise. There’s a lot of blood and a lot of decapitations, but alongside that are more interesting effects such as the one that shows us what happens to these vampires when they ‘slumber’. That is a piece of lore that enhances the entire Subspecies franchise overall.
Which sums up this spinoff completely, an enjoyable complimentary effort that proudly stands as one of the most lavish films in the franchise overall. Importantly though, it works as a standalone film too, even if its slower pacing might not be to everyone’s taste.
Read our full review here.
Bloodstone: Subspecies II (1993)
Our Score: 8/10
A more energetic experience with deeper lore, expanded storytelling, stronger characters, better actors, and another quality turn from Anders Hove. That is the summation of Bloodstone: Subspecies II, a genuinely entertaining vampire horror film that continues the trend of big, gothic vibes and eccentric horror elements. Whereas the first film was a franchise finding its feet, this is a franchise coming to life and there’s a strong sense that Ted Nicolaou was thinking bigger even here.
This is notable because of the expanded world, increased lore, and fresh characters that are introduced. While Radu and Michelle are returning characters, the pair have a much stronger dynamic because the two actors (Anders Hove and Denise Duff) have a much stronger dynamic too.
Read our full review here.
