The Abraham’s Boys review reveals why this 2025 horror masterpiece breathes new life into classic vampire mythology. Natasha Kermani’s atmospheric direction delivers genuine scares that transform familiar Dracula territory into something surprisingly fresh and terrifying.
What happens when you combine the legendary Van Helsing legacy with the psychological trauma of inherited darkness? You get horror perfection. Abraham’s Boys (2025), directed by Natasha Kermani, stands as one of the most compelling vampire films in recent memory. This supernatural horror follows the Van Helsing family eighteen years after the events of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, as Abraham Van Helsing struggles to protect his sons from the darkness that haunts their bloodline. While the film operates on familiar vampire hunter territory, it succeeds because it never relies on cheap scares—every moment of terror is earned through character development and atmospheric dread.
Synopsis
Following the events of Dracula, Abraham Van Helsing (Titus Welliver) has moved his two sons, Max (Brady Hepner) and Rudy (Judah Mackey), to the United States in a desperate attempt to escape their dark past. Living under assumed identities in a small American town, Abraham struggles to maintain normalcy while suppressing the traumatic memories of his encounters with the undead.
When the boys begin to discover the truth about their father’s history and the supernatural forces that still pursue their family, Abraham must confront the possibility that his attempts to protect them may have only delayed the inevitable. With the help of local townspeople including Sarah (Aurora Perrineau) and Dr. Seward (Corteon Moore), the Van Helsing family faces a new supernatural threat that forces them to embrace the very darkness they’ve been trying to escape.
Plot & Themes
Abraham’s Boys operates on a deceptively complex premise: sometimes the sins of the fathers are visited upon their children in the most literal sense. The vampire mythology serves as a framework for exploring deeper questions about trauma, family legacy, and the impossible burden of inherited responsibility.
The film’s genius lies in its psychological approach to horror. When Abraham struggles with PTSD from his vampire hunting days, the movie treats his condition with genuine seriousness rather than exploitation. These moments work because Kermani understands that the most effective horror comes from emotional truth rather than gore.
Thematically, the movie explores how trauma shapes family dynamics across generations. Abraham’s journey isn’t just about protecting his sons from supernatural threats—it’s about breaking cycles of violence and fear that threaten to consume his family from within.
Cinematography & Visuals
The cinematography captures the oppressive atmosphere of inherited dread with visual techniques that serve the horror perfectly. The visual style emphasizes the contrast between the Van Helsing family’s attempts at normalcy and the supernatural darkness that constantly threatens to overwhelm them.
The film excels in building tension through patient visual storytelling. The sequences showing Abraham’s flashbacks to his vampire hunting days demonstrate masterful use of lighting and shadow. The camera work creates an increasingly claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors the family’s psychological state.
Supernatural imagery rewards multiple viewings. During key horror sequences, attentive viewers will spot subtle visual cues that connect the film to classic vampire mythology while establishing its own unique identity.
Acting & Characters
Titus Welliver delivers a powerhouse performance as Abraham Van Helsing. His portrayal of a man haunted by his past transforms what could have been a stereotypical monster hunter into a complex study of trauma and paternal responsibility. Welliver’s ability to convey both protective love and deep-seated fear makes Abraham’s struggles feel genuinely heartbreaking.
Brady Hepner and Judah Mackey bring authentic chemistry to their roles as Max and Rudy Van Helsing. Their performances as sons discovering their family’s dark legacy create the emotional core that grounds the supernatural elements in relatable family dynamics.
Aurora Perrineau provides excellent support as Sarah, bringing intelligence and strength to what could have been a thankless role. Her romantic subplot with Max feels natural rather than forced, adding emotional stakes to the supernatural conflict.
Jocelin Donahue rounds out the cast with her characteristic ability to find depth in horror roles, creating a supporting character that feels essential to the story’s emotional weight.
Direction & Screenplay
Natasha Kermani’s direction maintains perfect atmospheric pacing throughout the film’s runtime. Coming from her acclaimed work on The House of the Devil, Kermani understood that effective horror requires patience and character development. Every scare is given space to build naturally without relying on cheap jump scares.
The screenplay by Kermani, adapted from Joe Hill’s story, layers horror elements at multiple levels:
- Character development that explores trauma with psychological accuracy
- Supernatural elements that feel grounded in emotional reality
- Family dynamics that create stakes beyond mere survival
- Vampire mythology that honors classic traditions while creating new interpretations
The script’s structure follows horror conventions while subverting them through genuine character complexity. This creates familiarity that makes the unexpected moments of terror land with greater impact.
Sound & Music
The film’s score perfectly balances classical horror orchestration with contemporary psychological thriller elements. The music creates an audio landscape that mirrors the Van Helsing family’s position between past and present, tradition and modernity.
Sound design plays a crucial role in building supernatural dread. The way ordinary sounds become threatening and supernatural elements are suggested rather than explicitly shown creates an immersive horror experience that relies on atmosphere rather than effects.
The use of silence deserves particular recognition. Key moments of revelation and terror are allowed to breathe without musical manipulation, trusting audiences to feel the horror through visual storytelling and performance alone.
Conclusion & Verdict
Abraham’s Boys succeeds because it treats its classic source material with respect while finding new emotional territory to explore. Every element—from performance to cinematography to sound design—works in service of character-driven horror without sacrificing genre thrills.
Strengths:
- Titus Welliver’s compelling lead performance that anchors every scene
- Thoughtful exploration of trauma and family legacy within horror framework
- Excellent atmospheric direction that builds genuine psychological tension
- Strong ensemble cast that creates believable family dynamics
Minor Weaknesses:
- Some horror fans may find the pacing too deliberate for traditional vampire films
- Occasional reliance on familiar vampire tropes despite fresh character approach
This film remains essential viewing for horror fans and anyone who appreciates character-driven supernatural storytelling. Abraham’s Boys works for audiences who enjoyed The Babadook, Hereditary, or A Dark Song.
Rating: 8.5/10
Director: Natasha Kermani
MPAA Rating: R (for violence, terror, and disturbing images)
Starring: Titus Welliver, Brady Hepner, Judah Mackey, Aurora Perrineau, Jocelin Donahue, Corteon Moore
For more horror reviews, check out our analysis of other supernatural family dramas. You can also explore the film’s connection to Joe Hill’s literary work at the Internet Movie Database.
