REVIEW: ‘VWars’ is All About the Characters, Not the Blood

VWars, also known as Vampire Wars, is currently a Netflix Original, currently streaming on the platform. With so many popular shows and movies coming out before the holidays, this series is getting buried. I believe it’s a sleeper hit with potential and it strikes home with the current political climate we’re currently experiencing. 

Starring Ian Somerhalder and Adrian Holmes, Vampire Wars follows two friends, Dr. Luther Swan (Somerhalder) and Michael Fayne (Holmes) battle for survival when a virus is released from ice melting due to climate change. This virus is prehistoric and it changes its victims into vampires. However, all the downsides of being a vampire are thrown out the window, making these creatures of the night twice as dangerous. 

This series begins with Dr. Luther Swan telling a group of scientists about the dangers and side effects of global warming and asking his fellow colleagues to put their minds together to reduce climate change which will potentially stall the release of the prehistoric virus. After his plea and colleagues taking his warnings into consideration, Swan is alerted of a colleague gone dark while researching polar ice caps. Swan seeks the aid of his best friend Michael Fayne to check things out. Upon inspection, they are infected with an unknown virus. Both are quarantined and pass however after certain events, we learn that Michael becomes infected. And being patient zero, others begin to get infected as well.

VWars starts off slow, building the world and its characters. A few episodes we see the turn of Michael Fayne and the establishing of what the vampires are capable of. With the slow pace of the first season, I was very surprised by how well they tied up loose ends by the season finale. I enjoyed watching the world being built as it slowly decayed into the beginning of a dystopian. We see vampires as inherently evil due to their nature but certain events make you put yourself in the shoes of the infected characters and make you view their perspective. 

If you think this show has a lot of action sequences, I should warn you, there aren’t. This series is very story-driven. When action is to be had, it’s quick and to the point. At times it can be gory, catching me off guard or having me look away. VWars also adds a lot of characters to the mix but they keep the character development worthwhile watching are Dr. Swan, Fayne, and Mila Dubov (Laura Vandervoort). They’re characters you grow to enjoy and like their outcome. I really enjoyed seeing Dr. Swan’s growth and seeing what he becomes by season’s end. 

If you’re a fan of Somerhalder and a great story of growth, VWars could be something up your alley. The way the story constantly grows and changes keeps your curiosity piqued and has you rooting for characters you wouldn’t expect to be rooting for. By season’s end, you’ll be wanting more!

VWars Season 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix!