Much like the mythical creature itself, films in the modern vampire subgenre only truly thrive under the right conditions that emphasize current culture. The new horror comedy, ‘Touched by Eternity,’ updates the vampire lore to complement contemporary society.

The Latvian movie connects with global audiences by satirizing the midnight bloodsuckers through the depiction of its characters, whose personalities are anchored in modern insecurities and emotions. The film’s writer-director, Marcis Lacis, crafted a relatable, but equally exaggerated, tale about a protagonist who’s struggling with loneliness and idleness.

Despite his frequent solitude, the complex hero, Resnais’ (Andris Keiss), desperation to live forever amongst a culture that accepts him for his true self consumes him. As a result, the complex hero embarks on a quest to become immortal, in an effort to combat the desolation he feels.

‘Touched by Eternity’ had its World Premiere last Friday, September 20 during Fantastic Fest. The movie then went on to have its second screening on Tuesday during the horror festival. Both screenings were held at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar in Austin.

‘Touched by Eternity’ follows Resnais, who calls himself Fatso, as he lives his life as a middle-aged, self-proclaimed cryptocurrency expert. He spends his days consuming video games and conspiracy theory videos. Obsessed with the concept of eternal life since childhood, he experiments with various theories in the hopes of becoming immortal, despite his feelings of despair.

When two strangers, Egons and Carlos (Ivars Krasts and Edgars Samitis), inexplicably appear outside of Fatso’s remote woodland trailer, asking for an invitation inside, they share the news that he has recently been selected as the chosen one. Appealing to his nature as a passive, antisocial slacker who has squandered his humanity, Egons and Carlos feel that Fatso’s transition into the undead will be seamless. The friendly duo promises him a more fulfilling life as a vampire.

Fatso immediately becomes drawn to the possibility of securing a new, improved life with a closely knit group of friends. But to secure his transition into a vampire, Fatso must kill a human and submit to everlasting servitude under his new colleagues’ mysterious chancellor. As his prospective friends await his decision, their pre-teen leader, Oskars (Mikelis Kreilis), is skeptical that Fatso can complete his part of the deal and purse the life he so desires.

The horror comedy truly shines through its reflective, spellbinding arthouse aesthetic. Lācis and the movie’s cinematographer, Marcis Abele, shoot the project in mesmerizing framing that emphasizes both the existential and absurdist journey that Fatso embarks on to find his life’s true purpose and meaning. Overall, Abele’s intriguing camera angles infuse the horror comedy a gritty visual flair.

‘Touched by Eternity’ is not only driven by its engaging visual aesthetic, but also Fatso’s life-affirming character arc. He eventually begins to question if he’s terrified of joining the undead, and whether becoming a vampire is the right decision for him to make. In a surprising moment of emotional strength, he set out to outwit them. He needs a break in order to make his own decision about what he should do with the rest of his life.

Like some of the best vampire films, ‘Touched by Eternity’ intriguingly ponders the benefits and drawbacks of immortality, particularly why it may be better to have a life that’s finite. Fatso initially yearns to become a vampire so that he can live out the fantasy of leaving his life of despair and finding a place among the vampires. But his subsequent existential journey makes him realize that as a lonely, anti-social man, eternal life may only prolong his desolation in modern society.