It was really important to nail his charisma, so it is easier to overlook his more negative aspects in the beginning. So much of this version of Lestat is his allure, and in the beginning his subtle control over Louis. Instead, Reid gets to slow burn Lestat's descent into madness, or at least the reveal of it, as we meet him though Louis ( Jacob Anderson) and their romantic connection. He does not have to deal with an absence like Cruise did, at least not yet, because they have not gotten that far within the story. Reid gets much more screen time to develop his Lestat, across all seven episodes. Reid does have a technical leg up on Cruise simply because this is a series and not a film.

Sam Reid gets to disappear into the character of Lestat, perhaps becoming the quintessential version of the character everyone will remember in the future. The film is still undoubtedly a classic, probably due to its all-star cast, but Lestat especially leaves a lot to be desired coming off this film. This isn't to say Cruise's performance is terrible, but it could have been a lot better, both on his part and the script. That alone is a major disservice to the story, characters, and Anne Rice. They've stripped away most of the romance between Lestat and Louis the only thing left are hints towards it. He has to juggle a two-hour film where he is missing for a large portion of it, so Cruise does not get as much screen time to play around with. Even if they do come to fruition within the narrative, it still feels like Tom Cruise playing a vampire, instead of him disappearing into the role. Not once does it feel like Lestat's anger is true, or that his threats are real.

Where the biggest problem lies is probably in his rage and intimidation. He doesn't bring enough to the table to fully do Lestat justice on the big screen. Yet Tom Cruise is seemingly miscast in the role. The production is fantastic, and the cast looks great.

The 1994 film may have been one of the most iconic vampire films of the last few decades, yet it feels rather hollow in returning to it.

Sam reid interview with the vampire