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Netflix has long been a treasure trove for classic films, providing a platform for timeless cinema to captivate new audiences. Among these cinematic gems stands “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” a Gothic horror marvel that many regard as one of the finest vampire films ever produced. Directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, the 1992 film showcases the talents of Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder, and even Keanu Reeves. Although the movie takes creative liberties with Stoker’s 1897 novel—introducing a storyline where Mina Harker, played by Ryder, is the reincarnation of Dracula’s deceased wife, Elisabeta—the film is a feast for the senses. Its lavish sets, exquisite costumes, and compelling performances, particularly by Oldman as Dracula and Hopkins as Van Helsing, elevate it to a cinematic masterpiece.
Columbia Pictures
However, not all performances in the film were received with equal enthusiasm. At the time of its release, Keanu Reeves, now a beloved figure in Hollywood, was criticized for his portrayal of Jonathan Harker, a prim Englishman. Critics from Total Film noted his struggle to maintain a convincing accent, quipping that his delivery seemed as if he was constantly holding back from adding a casual “dude” to his lines. Similarly, AskMen remarked on the mismatch, stating that Reeves was outclassed by his Oscar-nominated co-stars, Oldman and Hopkins, which highlighted his limitations as an actor at the time.
Despite this critique, the film remains a beloved classic, though some fans share the sentiment that Reeves’ performance didn’t quite match the film’s grandeur. Nevertheless, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is celebrated for its opulent and ambitious storytelling, even if Reeves’ part wasn’t its strongest element.
One enduring anecdote from the filming of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” involves a peculiar twist of fate for Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves. During a press tour for their 2018 romantic comedy “Destination Wedding,” Ryder revealed a quirky detail: she and Reeves might be married in real life. In a particular scene from “Dracula,” they were wed by an actual Romanian priest, a detail Ryder shared with Entertainment Weekly. Although Reeves needed a reminder, he humorously accepted the notion, responding, “Oh my gosh, we’re married.”
This whimsical “marriage” has since become a charming part of their friendship. As reported by Variety, Ryder and Reeves continue to embrace the playful bond, referring to each other as husband and wife in text messages. Ryder explained on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast that they exchange birthday messages like, “Happy birthday, my husband,” to which Reeves responds in kind, often signing off with his age. While neither were particularly lauded for their roles in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” their enduring camaraderie and this delightful anecdote have brought joy to both the actors and their fans over the years.
One anecdote continues to amuse from the set of Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Columbia Pictures
After more than three decades, one anecdote from the set of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” continues to bear fruit for Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves. In a 2018 press tour for romcom “Destination Wedding,” in which Ryder and Reeves starred, Ryder brought up for the first time that she and Reeves may be husband and wife for real. There is a scene in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” in which the pair get married, and it turns out that Francis Ford Coppola brought in a real Romanian priest to do the job. “We shot the master and he did the whole thing. So I think we’re married,” Ryder told Entertainment Weekly. Though Reeves required some reminding, he went with the gag, concluding, “Oh my gosh, we’re married.”
The pair continue to delight in this. According to Variety, on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Ryder said she and Reeves call each other husband and wife in text messages. She explained, “We always say who it is, even though it says it on the text. So like on his birthday I go: ‘Happy birthday, my husband.’ And then he’s like, ‘Hey, my wife, I love you. KR 57.’ Like on each birthday he’s like ‘KR 57’ or whatever his age is. He’s always done that.” While the duo weren’t exactly lauded for their contributions to “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” Ryder clearly thinks working with Reeves is special, and their “marriage” has continued to entertain both them and us for years.
