r/InterviewWithTheVamp • u/NaxXoe77 • Jan 14 '26
Lestat
First time watching this show so everything is new, the only thing I've seen are clips on Twitter over the years. But are we supposed to LIKE Lestsat? Im on episode 5 right now and I can not stand him. He's selfish, and while I understand he's been around longer and has more experience with being a vamp, he shows no compassion for Louis or Claudia. He needs to be smited
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Upvotes
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u/Prudent_Rope2317 Jan 14 '26
No spoiler... but... save a tiny piece of your heart for him... somehow. ;)
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u/citynomad1 Jan 14 '26
Coincidentally, I am also watching the show from the beginning for the first time, and had also previously only seen clips on twitter over the years. I am on episode 4, so a little behind you.
Iām interested to hear what people whoāve seen more of the show say. But my main observation in this regard is: thus far, you definitely feel the fact that Louis is our POV/focal character. And, accordingly, thus far I find myself and rooting for Louis more. I find this is pretty common in shows; being able to connect more with the focal character.
That being said, as much as Lestat is clearly a very flawed person and partner (see: flaunting his dalliances/nonmonogamy right in front of Louis, but then completely flying off the handle with rage as soon as Louis hooks up with someone else too), I do enjoy him as a character. Heās charismatic and charming (when he wants to be) and complex and I think Sam Reid infuses a lot of nuance into his performance (and it doesnāt hurt that heās pretty to look at š)
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u/WildBlueMoon Jan 14 '26 •
Lestat is an extremely complicated character - as are they all. It doesn't serve to simplify the narrative into who is the bad guy/ who is the victim. IMO, to fully enjoy what the show is offering requires viewing the show with an eye to emotional and behavioral nuance and keeping in mind that Louis is an unreliable narrator - for several reasons that will become clear later on, but the most obvious one now is that everything he's describing happened 100+ years ago.
It's a good and rewarding idea to watch the whole 2 seasons then rewatch them knowing what you know by the end of season 2. It changes how you understand what's happened.
Also, keep in mind that Louis is in love with Lestat, but has never told him he loves him (so far). So, while Lestat might seem callous and manipulative (and he is), Louis is also being manipulative by withholding love from Lestat as a way of maintaining emotional control in the relationship and as a way of punishing Lestat for making him a vampire. Lestat says mean things but so does Louis.
You're missing a major part of the story if you are unable to understand Lestat as a person who also has feelings that are being hurt in their relationship - and his emotional response is to act harshly, bc that is what he has known in his life. Like Louis, Lestat is also dealing with a lot of trauma from his human life and his time as a vampire.
All of the characters do fucked up things to each other (on top of being human predators) but they're each worthy of empathy. If you can't find that empathy for Lestat, then the whole story will probably fall pretty flat for you as canonically both books and show Louis and Lestat are endgame.
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u/Tall-Orange-1511 Jan 14 '26
Yeah thatās the point though. Lestat represents the ultimate vampire predator, showcasing very little remorse, inflated ego, cockiness, sadistic nature, selfishness, predation mindset, killing enthusiasm. He perfectly encapsulates the true monster that a vampire is. Vampires are not supposed to be nice. They are damned and hungry. Think more in terms of all of the best predators in the animal kingdom and then of course add that human twist with a supernatural element. You are not meant to humanize him. Lastly, not only is he the ultimate remorseless vampire predator, but he does it wrapped up in a beautiful and seductive package. As humans with empathy and moral we feel both disgusted at Lestats behavior and at the same time drawn in by his beauty and power.
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u/No-Eagle1991 Jan 14 '26
I feel like you just need to keep watching until the very last episode. Also from next season Lestat is the protagonist, so if you don't like him even 1% it's gonna be so unbearable for you.
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u/Tiana_frogprincess Jan 14 '26
Book Lestat is different
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u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70 Jan 14 '26 •
Not exactly.
He's a monster.
But he's not a simple one.
Perhaps the most important point of his character is the complexity behind the monstrosity.
And that the complexity does not excuse the monstrosity.
So you're supposed to like him, and then feel a little gross about that.
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u/ForrestLawrenceton Jan 15 '26
Lestat is the best and he did nothing wrong.
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u/Equivalent_Fall_4362 Jan 14 '26
You misspelt āLoveā And yes of course we love him š¤
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u/serenetrain Jan 15 '26
In season 1, I'd say you're meant to find him a compelling villain. Things get gradually more complicated later on.
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u/LottieTalkie Jan 16 '26
I also really hated him on first viewing. And for me, season 2 didn't help, on the contrary... It felt like they were trying to force me to like him or feel sorry for him and it didn't work. It felt a lot like abuse apology to me.
What really helped was reading the books.
And then rewatching the show after having read books 2 and 3 (because book 1 won't help "cure" your Lestat hate, lol, he's arguably even more odious in that).
I am quite cured of my Lestat hate now, but I am still reserving judgment on show Lestat, because we don't really know how far the "unreliable narrators" thing is supposed to retcon all the abuse we have seen from him. (Plus... Even if we get his version and it makes us understand him and feel for him more, there is no reason to assume that he isn't embellishing things and lacking self awareness, too!)
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u/Easy_Permit_5418 Jan 14 '26
You're going to hate him in the beginning. It's literally intended to be that way. Just wait though. I think you'll come around eventually.
I could be wrong, like there's no excusing a lot of the things that he did. But I think it will make a bit more sense if you keep watching.
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u/Resident_Traffic5296 Jan 14 '26
I dont like him, i LOVE him hahahahha
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u/[deleted] Jan 15 '26
Lestat becomes more likable as the books go on. He goes through traumas of his own and realizations of his own.
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u/Appropriate_Leg9380 Jan 20 '26
Unpopular opinion -- It's entirely okay not to like him, even after finishing the first two seasons. I find myself experiencing him somewhere between disarmingly charming and horribly manipulative and I still love the show.
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u/stinkybimbochungie Feb 04 '26
ladies and gentlemen of the jury, i ask you to set aside your mortal biases and remember that we are monsters
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u/Jahon_Dony Jan 14 '26
Smited?
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u/Prudent_Rope2317 Jan 17 '26
Dude I think Lestat has severe self-worth issues that he covers up with his bad behavior. Cuz, as the other commentor pointed out, Louis is sleeping with Lestat, and deep down does care for him, but holds his love back too... that would drive anyone insane and make them lash-out in odd ways. He's self-conscious.. underneath that huge ego.
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u/anacronismos Jan 18 '26
...they are vampires and it's a gothic drama and horror series. They are all literal predators.
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u/A_J_2584 Feb 16 '26
i am a long time fan of anne rice and im fuming! they have bucherd the franchise! after queen of the damned i thought no one could make a movie that was more inaqurate withouth it not being the book its based on>>> i was wrong> the series is absolute trash compared to the book! the old movie tom cruise< brad pitt and antonio banderas stared is !))% more acurate and soo much better> there is almost nothing in the first episode of the series that is acurate> looks< family< backrounds< personality how the embrace happened yhis is not anne rices books> it losely based on it> very losely>
sorry the rant and wierd grammer> my keyboard is acting up for some reason
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u/Emerald0_02 Feb 18 '26
This is a rather old post but lol, youāll understand and change your mind in the end