Lips of Blood (1975) is a French erotic horror film written and directed by Jean Rollin, a filmmaker known for his surreal, dreamlike approach to vampire and fantasy cinema. This film stands out in his career as one of his more poetic and emotionally resonant works, blending gothic horror with an almost fairy-tale sensibility.
The story follows Frédéric (Jean-Loup Philippe), a man who becomes obsessed with a mysterious childhood memory triggered by a photograph of a seaside castle. He recalls meeting a young girl there who led him through the night to safety after he got lost. Convinced that the girl is real and still out there, he sets off on a quest to find her. Along the way, he becomes entangled with a group of female vampires, all dressed in white, who seem to be linked to his vision and his past. The narrative weaves between reality and dream, leaving the audience unsure of whether Frédéric’s journey is a genuine search or an elaborate fantasy born of longing.
Visually, Lips of Blood is quintessential Rollin — painterly compositions, soft lighting, and haunting locations, from moonlit cemeteries to empty urban streets. The imagery is surreal, with the white-clad vampire women serving more as spectral muses than traditional horror antagonists. The pacing is slow and hypnotic, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a waking dream than a straightforward narrative.
Thematically, the film explores desire, memory, and the innocence of childhood contrasted with the seduction of immortality. There’s a melancholic undercurrent running through the story, as Frédéric’s pursuit of his idealized past becomes both beautiful and tragic.
Upon release, the film didn’t achieve mainstream success, partly due to its unconventional structure and erotic overtones, but it has since gained cult status among fans of European arthouse horror. It’s appreciated for its unique tone, lyrical imagery, and the way it subverts traditional vampire tropes, turning them into something more romantic and introspective.
Lips of Blood isn’t for those seeking jump scares or fast-paced action — it’s a slow-burning, dreamlike experience that rewards viewers willing to surrender to its strange and ethereal world. For admirers of Jean Rollin, it remains one of his most personal and affecting works.
