As one of the most iconic monsters in fiction, the vampire sub-genre of horror is stuffed to the brim with movies. Given this fact, the possible narratives within this genre feel limitless -- even if some takes on the premise feel repetitive. Thankfully, Jakob's Wife, directed by Travis Stevens, is a fresh entry into this sub-genre, and a quieter yet still poignant one at that.
Jakob's Wife centers on Anne (Barbara Crampton), a listless woman whose been married to Pastor Jakob (Larry Fessenden) for some time in their town where everyone respects him. Anne plays the dutiful wife; however, as she enters a mid-life crisis, things descend into a bloody, nightmarish dream. An almost affair with a former flame turns into a life-changing experience as she transforms into a vampire by the fangs of the Master (Bonnie Aarons).
There have been several depictions of vampires on screen, including the more gothic ones seen in An Interview With a Vampire, sparkling bloodsuckers from Twilight, the half-vampire-human from Blade and many more. It wouldn't be surprising to see Jakob's Wife present a vampire that audiences have seen before, and this wouldn't be a fault, as the classics continue to be well-received when reworked, like with What We Do in the Shadows. However, Jakob's Wife delivers a unique vampire that still relies on many of the classic conventions, but it reinvents some of the rules just enough to make this a familiar yet refreshing take. Especially for those creeped out by rats, this version of the monster will make your skin crawl.
Perhaps the most welcomed change is to the Master. This archetype is often someone who strips their subjects of their freedom while bestowing "empowering" abilities. This is not the case with the Master. While we'll avoid spoilers, the Masters' relationship to her subjects makes the whole dynamic more complex and feeds into the film's narrative of liberation.
Independence is the true heart of Jakob's Wife and it wouldn't be beating without Crampton's performance. For the most part, her acting is subtle and perfectly captures the turmoil a woman feels when she is spoken and walked over far too many times, as well as the numbing feeling one goes through when they have stayed compliant in a relationship for too long.
The little details writers Kathy Charles, Mark Steensland, and Travis Stevens incorporate -- like how often Jakob speaks for his wife or how Anne hides her open wounds until she is alone -- give Crampton so much to work with, even before her transformation. If one has not been in a relationship where they feel like they've become invisible or lost their agency, Crampton's performance will still make you empathize with her and simultaneously relate to that feeling of powerlessness.
Starting from such a numb place truly makes her transformation soar, especially since it is a relatively slow process. It makes sense why Anne feels free in this new form, even if it is not a constant feeling. It creates a nice contrast to the more horrific parts of her transformation. For a quiet vampire movie with dry humor, Jakob's Wife has some serious gore, even though these scenes are limited. Similarly, the Master is a horrific monster from head to toe; although, the Master works better when seen in pieces, as opposed to seeing her fully.
This is Anne's story, but like most of Anne's married life, it's impossible not to address her husband. Pastor Jakob also goes through a shocking and more realistic transformation. Fessenden truly captures the oblivious and entitled husband character, as he only picks up on what Anne is going through when it applies to him. Like Anne, starting at this low place gives him room to grow, but not too much, which ultimately makes him believable.
Their relationship feels grounded, to say the least. While it's somewhat unclear why they were attracted to each other to start, it's understandable why they stay together -- even when vampire hijinks ensue. Jakob's Wife doesn't paint a black and white portrait of a struggling marriage where the husband overlooks and undermines his wife, and that's its strength.
Jakob's Wife tells a complicated tale about the struggles a woman goes through during her mid-life years. While the humor may be too dry for some, and the overall film is subdued compared to more mainstream vampire horror movies, Jakob's Wife uses vampires and Crampton to its fullest. The Shudder film does what some of the best horror movies do: tell a story that tackles social issues. In this case, it's the interpersonal issues between a husband and wife, as well as the microaggressions that break a woman down over time.
For fans of the quieter vampire flick, like Only Lovers Left Alive and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, this is a must-see. Even for those who don't frequent horror, Jakob's Wife should be checked out for its nuanced story about a woman regaining her sense of identity and worth.