The Addiction (1995)

A New York philosophy grad student turns into a vampire after getting bitten by one, and then tries to come to terms with her new lifestyle and frequent craving for human blood.

Director:

Abel Ferrara

Writer:

Nicholas St. John

Stars:

Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Annabella Sciorra

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lili Taylor	...	Kathleen Conklin
Christopher Walken	...	Peina
Annabella Sciorra	...	Casanova
Edie Falco	...	Jean
Paul Calderon	...	Professor
Fredro Starr	...	Black
Kathryn Erbe	...	Anthropology Student
Michael Imperioli	...	Missionary
Jamal Simmons	...	Black's Friend (as Jamel 'RedRum' Simmons)
Robert W. Castle	...	Narrator / Priest (as Father Robert Castle)
Michael A. Fella	...	Cop (as Michael Fella)
Louis Katz	...	Doctor (as Dr. Louis A. Katz)
Leroy Johnson	...	Homeless Victim
Fred Williams	...	Homeless Victim
Avron Coleman	...	Cellist

Storyline

Kathleen Conklin, a doctoral student in philosophy, finds herself with a new perspective on the nature of evil and humanity after being bitten by a vampire in New York City....

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | drugs | blood | philosophy | college | 

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Taglines:

The dark is their sunlight. What makes them different is what keeps them alive.

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Genres:

Horror | Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dependenta

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$302,393 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fast Films, Guild, October Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (as Dolby Surround) Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in twenty days.

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Quotes

Kathleen Conklin: What's your major?
Anthropology Student: Anthropology.
Kathleen Conklin: Do you like it?
Anthropology Student: What else is there? "Man is the measure of all things."
Kathleen Conklin: Protagoras, right?
Anthropology Student: [makes affirmative noise] What are you studying?
Kathleen Conklin: Adversity's sweet milk: philosophy.

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Connections

Referenced in A Short Film About the Long Career of Abel Ferrara (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Eine Sylvesternacht"
Written by Friedrich Nietzsche (as Friedrich Nietzshe)
Performed by Nick Eanet (as Nicholas Eanet), John Bell Young (as John Bell)
Courtesy of Newport Classics

User Reviews

Black & White - 7 (worth the time)

I haven't seen THE ADDICTION in ten years, but I do recommend it from what I remember. And the list of attractive concepts are, envelope please: Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Anabella Sciorra, black and white meta-fictional film, and of course vampires galore! Abel Ferrara has directed other well known movies such as Bad Lieutenant, California, and the Funeral. Of these movies, I mildly recommend the first two but definitely not the third. The Funeral is plain boring and dreary, while the other two entertain by showing the gritty side of human nature.

Caution, if you're the type of vampire fan who must have each actor decked out in fangs and yellow contacts, then steer clear of this movie, since it's really questionable whether the characters in THE ADDICTION are actually vampires or are just plain junkies in nice clothes.

Lastly, there is a very complex philosophical feel to THE ADDICTION, as Lili Taylor muses about life and death in deep conversations in different venues around New York City: a college book store, movie theater, etc. I recommend any philosopher out there to grab THE ADDICTION off the shelves as soon as possible.

Speaking of the mid-90's, that short-lived era was a golden age for indie actors like Lili Taylor and Parker Posey. Taylor got a taste of vampire-hood early on in this movie, and fortunately for us, and for the committee, Posey got her fangs in Blade 3, which I was very happy to see happen. I mean, come on, all those party girls are really vampires at heart.

JY

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