Reborn for its third season, AMC’s Interview with the Vampire is now titled The Vampire Lestat. After following Louis de Pointe du Lac’s (Jacob Anderson) account of his immortal beginnings, we center on Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) upon the release of Daniel Molloy’s (Eric Bogosian) book. Appalled by Louis’s framing of his maker, Lestat masks his emotions behind a grand gesture: becoming a rock star.

The first episode is a batshit ride, shifting time and tone with Lestat as narrator. Taking place in 2025, Lestat lives in Detroit and violently crashes a rock band’s rehearsal after hearing abuse of an electric guitar. From then on, they become The Vampire Lestat, touring across the country as Lestat hypnotizes flanks of followers. Much like Santiago and the coven in France, Lestat’s allure of being a “vampire” secures devout fans. Amidst the excess of drugs and sex, each night, he selects a worthy subject to “transform.”

However, some night stalkers are upset he’s teasing their existence. Two in particular have it out for the rock god. This, and his turmoil over the book, catch up with him one night. A battle in a penthouse leaves him bloodied, scarred and tragically exposed. The creature of myths and nightmares has now proven Molloy’s narrative to be truth. He quickly evades eyes of judgement.

Throughout the episode, he texts for the comfort of a distant lover. Viewers assume he longs for Louis, who we last saw welcoming angered vamps to his Dubai home. But the episode closes with a stark reveal: the lover is a woman named Gabriela (Jennifer Ehle). As she swaddles him closely, we learn he’s her lover and maker, and she his mother. The episode closes with them intimately embracing onto his bed.

Season three appears to be a raucous take within this universe, boasting darkly comedic tones with its familiar gothic terror. Sam Reid commands the screen and stage as he narrates in what seems to be future past tense (the opening scenes allude to his no longer being here?). While the idea of a bonafide rock star in 2025 feels late, it passes as Lestat perfectly embodies that timeless rock persona of love, sex and magic.

The episode’s ending alludes to learning more about the makings of Lestat. Across both seasons, he’s only hinted at the trauma he suffered and survived. With his mother/lover’s arrival — a clearly complicated figure in his lore — viewers can prepare to unravel the mystery within the tortured soul.

Rating: 8/10