Josh Hartnett’s Controversial Vampire Flick Returns to Streaming: Watch Before It’s Gone!

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Starting February 1st, the vampire horror film 30 Days of Night, featuring one of Josh Hartnett’s standout performances, is now available for streaming on Peacock with a subscription. Originally exclusive to digital purchase or rent, this chilling movie from 2007 is back for fans to enjoy once more. Keep in mind that the duration it will stay on Peacock is yet undecided, so don’t miss your chance to catch this somewhat obscure film while you can!

Under the guidance of director David Slade, renowned for his work on “Black Mirror” and “Hannibal”, the cast of “30 Days of Night” includes Joshua Hartnett alongside Danny Huston, Melissa George, Ben Foster, and Mark Boone Junior, among others. This chilling vampire movie is an adaptation from the comic book series of the same name by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith. The story unfolds in the small town of Barrow, Alaska, where the residents are anticipating a month-long stretch of darkness. However, on the first night of this extended period, they encounter an unwelcome visitor – a band of ravenous vampires led by a powerful chief vampire. They discover that Barrow, shrouded in complete darkness, offers them an unlimited feast.

30 Days of Night, the movie, managed to earn a respectable $75.5 million at the box office against a production budget of $30 million. However, its critical reception was somewhat divided, reflected in its 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this mixed response, it left a strong enough impression on producers to consider expanding it into a series. Given the wealth of material from the comics that served as its foundation, it wasn’t surprising that the success led to a sequel and a TV miniseries, neither of which were directly linked to the original horror thriller starring Josh Hartnett.

A Vampire Villain Who Deserves Iconic Status

I must confess that “30 Days of Night” initially stirred up a lot of debate when it first came out, but looking back, it’s become an underappreciated gem in the realm of cult vampire films. What sets it apart is the intriguing character of Marlow, portrayed brilliantly by Danny Huston, who adds a unique twist to the typical bloodsucker trope – he’s not just your average horny vampire. This isn’t about the charming Josh Hartnett, our sheriff in this tale, but rather the chilling leader of the bloodthirsty horde that lays siege to the small town.

In Huston’s portrayal, there’s a sense of restraint; he never appears to lose control, instead maintaining an air of authority. This prevents the character of Marlow from becoming an exaggerated, stereotypical villain. Instead, his performance evokes a chilling presence that suggests centuries of hunger and satiation, making you visualize him as a haunting figure.

1. In a sea of criticism for the horror film based on comic books, the portrayal of the villainous vampire was one of the few commendable aspects mentioned by critics back then. Notably, Roger Ebert, a renowned movie critic, found Huston’s performance to be “quite convincing,” as stated in his 2.5-star review of the movie. Regrettably, Huston declined the opportunity to reprise his role for the sequel, 30 Days of Night: Dark Days, a less well-known sequel that many people may not have been aware of its existence.

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2025-02-02 17:31