Vampire Reviews: Carmilla (web series) 

"Her sex appeal comes from her attitude, her confidence, her rebelliousness, her depth..... her eyebrows" Everyone loves Natasha's eyebrows!

in the third season they make it very clear that Danny thinking her friends didn't care that she was dead was because The Dean was gas lighting her into thinking that.

In human/human relationships, the odds of both people dying at the exact same time are extremely low. It's more likely than not that one shall die and the other continue living, and mourning. What's different with a vampire is that this period of going on after your partner has passed is a much longer length of time.

Sorry going to strongly disagree with your characterization of the original novella. I edited THE ANNOTATED CARMILLA, wriitng over 400 footnotes which involved going over the story line by line again and again and again (much as readers did with books before radio, movies, television, etc. i.e. mass media in general). I feel absolutely confident in saying this story simmers with ambiguity about good and evil, about Carmilla herself, about gender roles, etc. Two facts in particular stand out. First is that Laura (who tells the tale) is an unreliable narrator, not least because she isn't speaking to someone in general but to some one else in particular (about whom we know little, save that she is female, older and from "the city"). Thus we see a pattern of Laura contradicting herself fairly often, while letting slip details that strongly suggest something else was going on--her fantasies about Carmilla being a young man, her certainty this is not so, the "hours" she spent playing with Carmilla's hair, her eager greating of Carmilla even after hearing Spielsdorf's story, her profoundly mixed feelings described at the very end, etc. Second, and this ties in to the period in which the novella saw publication, we need to consider location. In 1872 the entire English speaking world thought of Austria (quite accurately btw) as a police state, a primitive autocracy sans any of the civil liberties of which the UK and her colonies were so proud. It changes the complexion of the whole story when one thinks of Spielsdorf, Laura's father, the priest and officials involved, all being active servants of a dictatorship. The motion picture CURSE OF STYRIA made a similar point by setting its version behind the Iron Curtain in the 1980s. My own play adaptation moved the play forward to 1938, soon after the Anschluss, for precisely the same reason. I could go on and on, not least how Carmilla tries not to feed upon Laura for a full month, i.e. from one full moon to the next (vampires in literature then were seen as tied to the full moon). The misogyny and homophobia you describe makes for an extremely valid critique of many CARMILLA adaptations, but not I will maintain of the original novella. On the other hand I adore the web series, even to the point of watching reaction videos of others seeing the episodes! I don't think I can agree with you enough about how splendid and stereotype-shattering the web series proved to be! Am sharing this with a large group of CARMILLA fans on Facebook (as well as the FB page for my play and for THE ANNOTATED CARMILLA plus some more vampire-related groups, including one of vampire authors). If anyone ever does my play in the NYC area I am so going let you know and nag you about going to see it. Just a friendly warning. For the record, I see the original as a tragic love story. Of course, part of me also wants to point out all relationships end, because humans are not in fact immortal. As a widower, this is not something I"m ever likely to forget.

LGBT rep in vampire fiction can be such a double-edged sword...

For someone who is / was very involved with Carmilla and its fandom I made a hilarious detour to get to this video. I actually come from Lindsay's videos and saw you in the older Nostalgia Chick videos. After yesterday's livestream about internet persona and you mentioning you had a channel discussing vampire fiction I got intrigued. Somehow it completely escaped my mind that Carmilla obviously would fall in that category! I'm guessing it's part due to the fact that for a vampire show, it just has so much else going on you kinda forget the vampires? Still, I think this was a great review and you do put the finger on some sour spots (albeit not undeserved). I made CinemaSins-style videos sinning all three seasons of Carmilla that got quite the fandom traction, but those commentaries are usually played for the joke. Even though I have muffled in some actual commentary, it was still packed as a joke. The format just doesn't allow for actual criticism and genuine discussion. So it's nice you did that and did it very well! You even pointed out some stuff I completely overlooked, being so invested in it from the start. (The whole Carmilla using derogatory words I always blamed on her mother using the same tactic, as a quick and cheap way to establish a bond with your subjects even though you don't truly care for them. But like. In my hardcore fan analysis completely missed plain old simple misogyny...) It's also good to get the insight from someone who ISN'T in the fandom. I feel like my judgement to look at *just* Carmilla the series is clouded by everything surrounding it. Through this show I've made so many friends in a safe queer bubble that over these two years have grown into a family of sorts. I know many other "Creampuffs" have had similar experiences and made friends all over the world. Especially for queer people who desperately need such safe places, making those friends felt like a homecoming. I cannot separate the two things if I'm being honest. The webseries is FLAWED, for sure, but it does come a long way from its origin. And obviously you cannot really include such a personal experience like I have with this show in a review analyzing vampire media. And it's nice to take a step back from that experience and look at the series as *just* the media. Anyway, apologies for the length of this comment (yikes). Thanks again for this video, it made me look to Carmilla through new eyes, which was something I didn't know I needed. And I'm just gonna binge the rest of your reviews, because I love nothing if not a good analysis of fiction. :D

YESSSS. I WAS WAITING FOR THIS. I'm so glad you watched this series!

When this came out a week ago, I paused at around three minutes and decided I didn't want the spoilers; it sounded good, and I should check it out. It has been several days of binge watching. I'm here to report that it _is_ good. Strong Buffy overtones, too. Pause Maven, go watch Carmilla, then come back! Alright, now that that's done ... you make a good point about none of the characters being made objects; it didn't occur me while watching, but not having the camera able to move did prevent those kind of close, slow pans that, while I like them in my erotica, really do suck all the humanity out of the person you're looking at. The stationary camera could be a little frustrating, especially during season 2 when you're dying to know what the hell is going on outside, but it lent a closeness to the show that I've never seen before. It really is like you're just sitting in the corner watching these people live. I'm a little nervous about the movie being shot traditionally, to be honest. It might make it feel too different. And I shall have you know, Maven, that my taste includes both vampires _and_ werewolves ...

You know what is the only thing that makes my suspension of disbelieve break? Not the vampires. Not the lovecraftian horror in the pit. Is the fact that they try to make us believe that their university is an european university. Couldn't make a little more of research of how colleges in Europe work, couldn't they? XD

Maven wore the Beetlejuice jacket better than Robin Thicke.

You could always have an immortal Human (think Highlander) fall in love with a Vampire then you can have a Vampire - Human relationship and not worry about the ravages of old age

Ooo I had no clue about this series! I sence a massive binge watch in my future. Great review as always.

You should do a video on the lack of racial representation for vampires, I 've only seen 2 or 3 Black vampires and no Asian ones what so ever. And different cultures have very interesting takes on vampires which should vibe explored.

Hmm... I saw Carmilla as a tragic figure in the novella. Not really a damaging or negative portrayal but a sympathetic one.

A new Maven video....christmas came two days earyly!

I had never heard of the Carmilla Web Series till I saw this one of yours yesterday. And I spent yesterday going thru season 1, thanks Maven

I know the original book was Problems but if I'm honest with myself I was still kind of disappointed that the webseries wasn't a straight modernisation the way Lizzie Bennett Diaries was. I mean homophobic or not, Carmilla was really really important to me as a teenager. I just didn't really care that the lesbian character was a villain? I was just so happy that she WAS a lesbian. (Or bi, it's arguable.) I mean, I suppose that when you have trouble finding any representation, even negative options feel good? At least Carmilla wasn't porn... (In any case I definitely always read Laura as queer herself too.) And I mean, I feel like it is possible to do an alternative reading of the story, which I would have loved to see. Or a straight up sequel that isn't this kind of... pseudo-sequel? But whatever, I'm just being grumpy. I'm glad people enjoy the thing.

I kinda hope this show gets the Sanctuary treatment and is turned into a proper series. It looks awesome, though I personally don't like single-camera short-episode series. But glad this is out there.

The Laura in the novel must be dumbest protagonist I saw in my life. Has all the clues in front of her, but doesn't suspect anything until a friend of his father attacks Carmilla screaming "She is the monster that killed my niece!". She didn't even suspected that Carmilla was in love with her, even after telling her directly several times!

Once more,. I'm going to pleead for a VAMPIRE DIARIES review. Something about this review just makes me want it SO MUCH!!!!! I love your reviews!!!!

Your videos have become much tighter and insightful. I am glad you started off so strong a grew stronger.

Does anyone else think Maven and Perry look similar?

I am so glad that I found you on youtube! I used to watch you on the guy with the glasses website. I really enjoy your segment! :D Keep up the great work!

This was fantastic. Thank you very much for reviewing this awesome series. Keep up the awesome work.

The Dean kind of reminds me of Thanos. They both use their ‘children’ for their selfish desires.

The fun thing though, is that life is about being doomed. You're born and you die. What really matters is what you do with the time you have. So, for me the vampire/human relationship is partly about embracing that "tomorrow we die" nature of the beast. I think tons of vampire media forgets that and instead wants to embrace the Disney brand fairy-talesqe tropes.

Wonderful. I was not aware of this web series. Good on you for bringing it to your loyal fans attentions! We need a Lindsay/Nella crossover now!

AYYYYYY ANY CREAMPUFFS HERE?

I am a huge fan and I love this video. I so enjoy how much more analytical your videos have become and how much they have improved. I enjoy this vampire series as well and I'm happy you brought up problems with the show as well as praises. I, too, hope it will inspire others to create more web series, just like The Lizzie Bennet Diaries did. P.S. I adore your wardrobe. :)

Binging your videos got me through finals so... Thanks👌

I actually discovered Carmilla (the webseries that is) in a sort of indirect way via Vampire Reviews (it is a semi long story, but it started with your review of the Moth Diaries) back in 2015 shortly before the release of the 2. season. So, you covering this webseries on VR is somewhat funny to me, since you basically helped me discover Carmilla (I am really grateful for that btw) long before you even reviewed it:D. I have also hoped/wondered ever since then, if you would ever review Carmilla, which you now finally have. Thanks Maven/Elisa, I cannot express how much I appreciate your undoubtedly hard work in making this show:).

I kind of prefer the predatory nature of Carmela in the novella. It's inherently threatening and works. and I absolutely read Laura as a Lesbian. the only reason she doesn't go for it is carmilla is that shes throwing up a billion red flags,also that incredible nightmare sequence with her as a child while seeing Carmilla as an adult. I'm 25 episodes into the webseries and nothing about this web screams vampire to me. It's kind of sweet but it has no bite

Wow, I didn't even know that show existed. Thanks Maven.

Isn't about time you do Vampire the Masquerade analysis and study of impact? Is the 25th anniversary and I know damn well you own it. BTW, I'm a Werewolf fan, fear me.

Only just found your page. You seem to have a real interest not just in vampire fiction, but also positive representation and feminist theory in critical analysis. I think I'll subscribe :)

i love your new lair! and, as a lesbian, i am so glad you're discussing this series!!!! i love youuuu so muuuchh!!!

It changes color when it dries! It never stays!! I HAVE to keep the wall wet!!

Aah so happy you reviewed this! been waiting for this one. love the show and can't wait for the movie 😁 also pretty much nailed my thoughts on it too.

HEY MAVEN! I'M STILL HERE! ALIVE AND RAGING! THIS WOLF ISN'T GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!

Don't be lonely! I love your content and was so happy when you came back! Congrats on the lil vamp :)

This makes me want to rewatch this series

I was honestly worried about scrolling down and finding The Discourse™ but it was safe. However, there are men showing up to claim that feminist with the ~female gaze objectify women, so it probably evens out.

6:07 I stand by you on the voyeurism but I'll defend the shadows. They just look so cool!

6:07 Well, pretty much the whole film was immersed in hazy light. I'm sorry, but I don't really see your point. But otherwise a nice review, although I probably won't watch the show, the webcam style seems rather lazy to me.

I really like her vampire persona and theatrical gestures, it makes these reviews even more fun to watch. I have to say I really like this show and you did it justice. My main gripe with it was that there were no poc earlier on, so I was so excited when they added Mattie to the cast.

Whoa, nice new hair color, Maven! Sorry if it's been that way awhile, I just noticed it. Was it also dyed with the blood of those damned werewolf lovers?

Legit came into this assuming you would hate the series (as most vampire fans I've talked to about it do) but I was beyond surprised when you started totally geeking out about this show! The jokes were hilarious, the comprehensive look at the subject material and the inclusive language/easy to use language made me click subscribe as fast as I could!

Most unrealistic part- Kirsch's reaction to being friend zoned.

Carmilla movie comes out in 2 days!!! I can't wait!

I have no idea how i got here but that was fabulous

I'm still waiting for Duckula

Well a huge difference between sexy casual clothes and the stuff the 3 woman wear at 5:01 is the fact that sexy casual clothes actually can be sexy, while stuff like what that 3 women are wearing just looks like it's trying way to hard to be considered anything but embarrassing (also, what is that think that the woman to the left is wearing on her neck? I just can't get past it). - Anyway while the original story of Carmilla was a child of it's time there was more to it than homophobia, and even the Vampiress herself can be interpreted as more than a deceitful predator (it is a bit vague in her characterisation though, so many interpretations make sense).

Congratulations Maven, you are part of a very select group of reviewers that actaully made me curious enough to watch something they reviewed/announced will review. from beginning to end. and I enjoyed the hell out of it. I wont call myself a creampuff(as a straight white man there are appelatives I can not use to refer to myself), but this show, warts and all, had a great plot line, fun dynamic characters, and a solid emotional core that got repeatedly shaken every time in every way it could to keep me reeled in, I would recommend it further

Great review!!! I’m queer/non-binary and love vampire media so I’m so happy to discover your channel! Very excited to explore your other videos. 🧛🏻‍♀️

Hmmm, very interesting review. I agree with a lot of what you said but I'd have to disagree with the interpretation that Carmilla mocking Laura by calling her cutesy names is misogyny. I definitely see where your point is coming from, but the reason I disagree with it is cause we see in the show that Carmilla just generally mocks pretty much everyone she has more than 2 encounters with and she goes about it in a pretty strategic manner. Carm is displayed as someone who apparently just couldn't care less about anybody, yet the way how she calls people out and confronts them with their sometimes very, very personal flaws indicates that she's clearly observant and pays much more attention than she lets on. She figures out what people are sensitive about and what they care about and then she mocks them with it. She's called LaF a variety of nicknames related to their interest in science, mocked Perry for being pretty much everything she is, mocked Danny for her overprotective nature towards Laura as well as her height, Kirsch for being way too naive and a typical frat boy etc. In the same way she uses cutesy names to mock Laura for her innocent, soft nature. I interpret that as Carm just being her usual broody, antisocial, sarcastic self. Carm's mockery is always directed at something that she sees as a flaw in a person regardless of that person's gender identity so I don't necessarily think her calling Laura "buttercup" and "creampuff" etc. is a display of some kind of subconscious, internalized misogyny. In my opinion, Carmilla's character trait of indiscriminately mocking and sometimes downright insulting everything and everyone around her is too consistent and too not focused on Laura for it to be misogyny. But again: I totally can see where that interpretation would come from. This is just me politely disagreeing. :) No offense intended. Great video all in all.

Just now found this youtube page... and so happy to see the maven again I can't even say

As a straight 51 year old man who is hopelessly addicted to WTNV, I may have to check this one out! All Hail! finished the series, and it was a great series, the comparison to WTNV was very appropriate

"Good thing vampires can hold their breathes for a really long time!" That Hollywood burn.

I'm so glad I watched this review. I binged the series in two days and I just love it so much!

This was a very fun review of this series, and I'm glad to learn about it. I will have to check it out later, thanks Maven!

So wanted to say thank you for this video. Was bored at work and started watching random stuff on RU-vid and came across your review, which then led me to binge watch Carmilla over the last few days, and then proceed to buy all 3 seasons and the movie. Probably never would have found this amazing show if it wasn't for your review of it. Granted it then spoiled some of the plot points for me, but meh, still a hell of a story to watch unfold. Laura is just so adorkable and I love her for that.

if you want to read webcomics with gay vampires where the vampire isn't predatorial and creepy I recommend Transfusions and Raising a Bat (Bagjwi Sayug)

This is the Maven at her finest. Excellent upload! B-)

Thank you, Elisa, for showing me this gem to bingewatch! It's fun, it's fast it's weird, awkward and overall great! :D

Thank you for this great review you introduced me to one of the most entertaining RU-vid series ever!

Yes, thank you, universe, for the Carmilla web series and for Maven's reviews :D

The acting was great in this. Annie Briggs was amazing!

This was such a great video. I really nice analysis with some funny moments in between. I'll definitely check some more videos on your channel even though i don't know many vampire stuff

Now that you've seen the web series, would this version of Carmilla make the top ten female vampires list if you were to do it today?

Thank you for giving me something new to take up an entire day. Worth it!! :D

I loved the series and the movie, even though they are so different from the book. Do you know Claudia Gray's Evernight series?

I really love the Carmilla webseries. I'm usually not a fan of webseries but I really liked it. I've only seen season one though.

ANGST FLAKES!

love the sophie anne hairstyle

I'm not a vmapire,my thing is more magic/sorceres things liek that,BUT you is my favorite review on the internet..may be in the World.

Thanks to your review I'm mid way though season 3 of Carmillia. The show is a blast!

My god... IT'S MARCELINE AND PRINCESS BUBBLEGUM IN REAL LIFE! Rated PG

The ending was so satisfying.

Actually, the relationship that kept me coming back was Lafe and Perry. They don’t get much development, but I love them. I love Lafe’s determination to get Perry back in one piece. Plus, Lafe is super badass.

We stan a dark queen as our ally ^__^

Aww, thanks for coveirng this web show, love it and am glad you point it out!

gasp i knew I reconciled that shade of red. you killed my brother...s uncles kidnappers babysitters garbage mans, doctors favorite female wrestlers uncle. How dare you.

ACK YAY! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!!

From what you said, there is hardly any "tokens" in this webseries. There are full-fleshed characters who's LGBT identity is important part of them... but not the only one. What I really hate is a stereotypical depiction of gay man (Puri Puri Prisoner from "One Punch Man" is, by far, the worst offender in my eyes), and I'm always so glad when it's flipped over. So if there are gay characters who are just people, good.

There is a gay male Vampire in The Originals. His name is Josh and one of the best people ever!!! Even when he's an ass for being reduced to often unwilling lackey and losing possibly the most people in a lot of crossfire

Maven, if you're now reviewing Vampire Web Series as well, could you please review The Hunted and/or Vampirism Bites as well? I LOVE those series!

Of the content I specifically was introduced to through your reviews, the Carmilla website just barely edges out What We Do In The Shadows for my top pick.

awesome review from maven and merry christmas too her and family but what do you think was the last good vampire movie maybe john carpenter vampires or 30 days of night after four twilight movies i almost cried when Charles dance played a proper vampire in the meh dracula untold lmao

You are awesome hun. Loved ya honesty. 😎😘

I didn't think there were more reasons to like this show but this proves there are. I assumed the Danny thing was effects of vampirism/Dean brain washing.

Are you able to see the feature film, and will you talk about it now that it's out? There might not be a whole review's worth of material, I don't know, but I'd enjoy a vlog. EDIT: FYI, you can see it on Fullscreen.com, it's a streaming service.

Missed this series and it looked good. Just my luck.

Can you tell me why Paw hasn't done any Music Movies reviews in ages please? I really miss them. Also, liked the video.

Will you do a segment on the movie as well? I love your show

Thanks for your reviews love them gonna watch the he'll out of this series

Interesting to hear about this. I might have to give it a try.

Any chance of you reviewing Afflicted? It's my favorite vampire movie of recent years because it actually shows how fucking difficult it would be to live as a vampire instead of it just being about a hunk who gets superpowers. "Oh noes I've just become immortal and have super-strength, but I can walk around in sunlight and don't have to drink human blood, my life is so difficult!"

What was the movie with the female vampire that has that fabulous red head piece?!

Man I really need to finish season 3!

I want to look Carmilla again :D Carmilla