There are vampire movies and then there are vampire movies that know exactly what kind of party they are throwing. Vampires of the Velvet Lounge firmly plants itself in the latter category, blending horror, dark comedy, and satire into a neon-soaked throwback that feels both nostalgic and very much of the moment. At the center of that chaos is Dichen Lachman, whose performance as Cora adds emotional weight, physical intensity, and an air of mystery that grounds the film’s wilder impulses.
When CineDump sat down with Lachman to talk about the film, it was clear that this project tapped into something she has always been drawn to, not just in genre but in theme. Vampires, as she put it, offer a unique lens for examining human nature. She shared that she has “always been fascinated with vampires because exploring that Jungian idea of the shadow self is so intoxicating,” adding that being human is inherently difficult, with everyone constantly pulled in different directions. That push and pull is baked into Vampires of the Velvet Lounge, where ancient myth collides with dating apps, modern nightlife, and self-awareness.
What ultimately drew Lachman to the project was how distinct writer-director Adam Sherman’s approach felt. His version of vampirism merges mythology with what she described as the bizarre nature of modern life, something she felt was strange in a way that made perfect sense. She spoke highly of Sherman, not just creatively but personally, noting that he is “very unique” in the way he thinks and also “such a kind human.” That sense of kindness and collaboration mattered. For Lachman, choosing a project is often about the people. When everyone involved wants to have fun and work together, she believes “moviemaking should be a fun experience,” and that spirit clearly shaped the final film.
That energy carried through preparation as well. Rather than locking into a rigid stylistic blueprint, the collaboration focused more on character, allowing the tone to take shape organically. Lachman admitted she was not entirely sure which direction the film would go at first, but trusted that Sherman and the rest of the collaborators were steering toward something bold. Seeing Stephen Dorff back in vampire territory only added to the excitement. As a longtime fan of Blade, Lachman described his casting as “perfection,” one of those moments that makes you immediately think, okay, sign me up.
Much of the film’s atmosphere was shaped not just by intention, but by circumstance. Shot almost entirely at night in Savannah, Georgia, the production schedule blurred the line between actor and creature of the night. Lachman reflected on spending weeks living nocturnally, sleeping during the day, and working in the evenings, and how that rhythm subtly changes your emotional state. She pointed out how worries and arguments feel heavier at night, only to soften once daylight breaks, and how that sensation fed directly into the film’s mood.
Savannah itself left a lasting impression. Lachman had never been there before and was struck by its beauty, its people, and the eerie fog that occasionally rolls through the streets after dark. Combined with the humidity, the haze, and the constant night shoots, she recalled the experience feeling surreal, as if she were under a spell. Those environmental elements layered over the work of the cast and crew helped create the Velvet Lounge itself, a setting that feels lived in, seductive, and just a little dangerous.
For an actor with a career spanning sci-fi, drama, action, and horror, Vampires of the Velvet Lounge offered a chance to revisit and expand familiar territory. Lachman has played vampires before, but what interested her here was the emotional struggle of being human alongside the physical demands of the role. It had been a while since she had done heavy action work, and she relished the opportunity to fully engage physically. Throwing her body into the role, she explained, is a different and exciting experience, one she genuinely loves.
At the end of the day, Lachman hopes audiences walk away from Vampires of the Velvet Lounge feeling exactly what the cast felt while making it. She wants viewers to have an amazing time, to feel that nostalgic throwback energy to old school horror action vampire movies, and most of all, to have fun. When the credits roll and people leave the theater, she hopes they simply feel like they had a really good time.
Judging by the film’s unapologetic tone and Lachman’s commitment to the material, that mission statement feels right at home in the Velvet Lounge.
Jessie Hobson