‘The Vampire Lestat’ Reviews Are In: See Its Rotten Tomatoes Rating

Anne Rice’s vampire universe continues to win over critics. The Vampire Lestat, the newest series in AMC’s growing adaptation of The Vampire Chronicles, has arrived with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 31 critic reviews. The audience response has also been very strong, with a 95% Popcornmeter score from more than 100 ratings.

The new series serves as the next chapter after Interview With the Vampire and shifts the spotlight to the fan-favorite vampire Lestat de Lioncourt. While previous seasons focused heavily on Louis de Pointe du Lac and his complicated relationship with Lestat, this new story puts Lestat at the center.

The series follows Lestat as he becomes a rock star and embarks on a major concert tour. At the same time, he is forced to confront figures and memories from his past. As his fame grows, so does his influence over both humans and vampires, creating new challenges and dangers.

Early reviews suggest the show successfully expands the world established in Interview With the Vampire while giving viewers a fresh perspective on one of the franchise’s most popular characters.

Grace Randolph of Beyond the Trailer praised the new series and wrote, “Just when you thought this show couldn’t get any better, it does. A fascinating look at the other side of the coin that is Louis and Lestat’s complex and beautiful relationship. Very well written and acted.”

Michael Cook from Geek Vibes Nation gave the series an 8.5 out of 10 score. He highlighted Sam Reid’s performance as Lestat, writing, “Led by Reid’s mesmerizing performance, it’s both a continuation of Interview With the Vampire and something entirely new all at the same time. A must-watch in every sense of the word.”

Megan Fisher of Loud and Clear Reviews was equally impressed, awarding the show a perfect 5 out of 5 rating. She described the series as “a supremely confident work,” adding that its willingness to stay true to its creative vision is “thrilling to witness.”

Television critic Alan Sepinwall also had positive things to say about the show’s approach to Lestat. In his review for What’s Alan Watching, he wrote, “Lestat as a character is funnier this way, but he’s also more tragic. The humor winds up enhancing the heavy stuff, while the darkness of it all only makes the laughter feel more welcome and necessary.”

Meanwhile, Samantha Puc of The Beat pointed to the show’s bold tone and strong cast performances. She wrote, “The Vampire Lestat is gayer, campier, raunchier, darker, and intentionally funnier than the first two seasons of Interview with the Vampire. … The cast rises to a new level of the stratosphere, led by the inimitable Sam Reid.”

Screen Rant’s Nick Bythrow gave the series a 9 out of 10 score and called it one of the year’s standout television releases. He wrote, “Filled with deep complexity, staggeringly emotional performances, and a protagonist who’s captivating in so many layered ways, this season of Interview with the Vampire is not only the show at its best, but one of the best seasons of TV in 2026 so far.”

With a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and praise from critics across multiple outlets, The Vampire Lestat is off to a strong start. If the early reactions are any indication, AMC may have another hit on its hands.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!