‘My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To’: Unique Psychological Vampire Movie You Can’t Skip

‘My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To’, directed by Jonathan Cuartas in 2020, offers a distinctive interpretation of the vampire genre by fusing elements of horror with personal family drama. The plot centres on three brothers who are attempting to keep their lives somewhat normal while taking care of their vampire younger brother, Thomas (Owen Campbell). Jessie (Ingrid Sophie Schram) orders Dwight (Patrick Fugit) to kidnap and murder homeless people for their blood to support Thomas. As their gloomy pattern develops, it becomes evident that the family's profoundly dysfunctional dynamics—rather than Thomas's vampirism—are the true source of fear.

Even though there is a fair amount of blood and gore in the movie, the real terror lies in the themes of addiction and emotional upheaval that influence the siblings' lives. ‘My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To’ steers clear of the glitz typically associated with vampire stories in favour of a candid and realistic depiction of addiction and its effects on families. Thomas's illness is shown as a metaphor for addiction; he has a weak, reclusive appearance that is evocative of the "he***n chic" style that is frequently used in media portrayals of substance misuse.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Thomas's vampirism is portrayed in the movie as gloomy rather than glamorous, which further deviates from conventional vampire storylines. In stark contrast to the opulent surroundings of most vampire movies, he is shown living in a small, dilapidated house and wearing everyday clothes. This depiction highlights the pain that vampires inflict on Thomas and his siblings, highlighting the devastation that addiction causes and the social pressures that surround it.

The family dynamics are disturbing, and Jessie's tight control over Thomas makes their connections much more difficult. Dwight demonstrates the intricate emotional bonds that bind them by being devoted to Thomas despite his desire to leave their poisonous surroundings. All things considered, ‘My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To’ is a moving examination of addiction, family, and the more sinister facets of interpersonal relationships that go beyond its genre.

–Farheen Ali