Drink, Slay, Love

Drink, Slay, Love is a 2017 comedy-horror directed by Vanessa Parise, based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Beth Durst. The film follows the story of Pearl (Cierra Ramirez), a typical sixteen-year-old girl who, after getting bitten by a vampire, discovers that she has an insatiable thirst for blood. However, being a vampire has its perks: Pearl discovers that she can now turn invisible, fly, and is practically immortal.

Pearl is sent by her vampire clan to infiltrate a high school and find out which human student would be the most appropriate for them to feast on. However, things get complicated when Pearl starts to develop a conscience and starts to fall in love with the very human boy (Zack Peladeau) she is supposed to be hunting.

The plot twists around as the audience tries to figure out whether Pearl will choose to stay loyal to her vampiric nature or follow her heart and save the human she loves. Meanwhile, the audience is also treated with fun and suspense as they follow Pearl's journey as a newly-made vampire.

Gradually, Pearl learns the tricks of her new vampiric trade, including how to use her strengths to her advantage. She starts attending high school and fitting in with the popular crowd. Pearl soon becomes one of the most popular girls in school but struggles to keep her vampire secret hidden from her new friends.

Pearl's character development from the beginning of the movie when she was a human to when she is fully transitioning into a vampire is noteworthy. Her transformation is not only physical but also mental as she struggles to adjust to her new lifestyle. Cierra Ramirez's portrayal of Pearl is impressive as she convincingly captures the different shades of her character.

Another strong aspect of the movie is its supporting cast. Peladeau gives a convincing performance as a high school student and love interest, and their chemistry together is palpable. Steve James also puts on a good show as Dr. Kasper, a vampire psychologist who helps Pearl with her adjustment as a vampire.

Parise's direction was also top-notch, as she brings out the dark humor and suspense of the story with great expertise. The comedic moments are well placed, injecting the right amount of lightness into the plot, all making for a well-balanced film.

As a vampire movie, Drink, Slay, Love serves its purpose of providing a different take on the typical blood-sucking films. In this movie, the vampires are not portrayed as the typical monsters but rather as beings that create a powerful and alluring image. The themes of friendship, love, and loyalty also come through strongly in the story.

The movie's overall audio and cinematography were of high quality. The sound effects were well-timed, adding to the suspense and horror of the main plot. The movie's vampire scenes were especially well made, giving the audience a visual treat.

At a little over ninety minutes, Drink, Slay, Love is a short and easy watch that can be enjoyed by audiences of any age. It tells a compelling story of a girl navigating her new life after becoming a vampire, with elements of humor and suspense carefully intertwined. Despite being a unique take on the vampire genre, the movie still keeps true to the core of vampire movies, providing an entertaining film that you'll be sure to love.