Only Lovers Left Alive is a stylish, droll, and offbeat vampire film set in the 21st century. Blending director Jim Jarmusch’s characteristic deadpan humour with philosophical musings, the film follows Adam (Tom Hiddleston), a depressed and reclusive vampire musician living in the desolate outskirts of Detroit. Exhausted by centuries of existence, Adam hoards vintage electric guitars and laments the shallow nature of modern humanity, whom he refers to as ‘zombies’. His wife, Eve (Tilda Swinton), is a curious and optimistic vampire residing in vibrant Tangiers. With her matted blonde hair and pale attire, she serves as a metaphoric light in the darkness, urging Adam to savour the beauty of life rather than succumb to brooding self-pity. The film unfolds primarily at night, showcasing the beauty of both cities—golden Tangiers and ghostly Detroit.

Adam and Eve’s reunion after hundreds of years apart reveals a deep, soulfully intertwined relationship grounded in their mutual love for the arts. They find solace in each other, sharing nights filled with chess, literature, music, and blood ice pops. Their tranquil existence, however, is disrupted when Eve’s younger sister, Ava (Mia Wasikowska), arrives from Los Angeles, bringing chaos, deviance, and a youthful recklessness that threatens their delicate balance.

Jim Jarmusch (b. 1953, United States) is a director and screenwriter celebrated for his dark humour and genre-defying work in independent cinema. His breakthrough film, Stranger Than Paradise (1984), earned critical acclaim and the Caméra d’Or at Cannes Film Festival for its quirky and minimalist storytelling. His other works, including Down by Law (1986), Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), Broken Flowers (2005), and Paterson (2016), feature eclectic characters and clever dialogue. He is also known for his collaborations with musicians, creating memorable, cutting-edge soundtracks that enhance his storytelling.