Opened: May 11, 2012

Directed by: Tim Burton

Starring: Johnny Depp, Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Bella Heathcote, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, Gully McGrath, Jackie Earle Haley, Ray Shirley, Christopher Lee, Alice Cooper, Ivan Kaye, Susanna Cappellaro, Josephine Butler, William Hope, Guy Flanagan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Hannah Murray, Shane Rimmer & Jonathan Frid

If Dark Shadows could’ve picked a lane and stuck with it, it could’ve had wondrous results. But the sometimes-comedy, sometimes-drama, sometimes-horror never falls into a strong groove despite a stellar cast and fantastic design.

Almost two centuries after he was imprisoned in a coffin, vampire Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) is set free and returns to his home at Collinswood. Family matriarch Elizabeth (Michelle Pfeiffer) informs Barnabas that the family business is losing in a competition with Angel Bay, which is owned by his old foe Angelique (Eva Green).

Though some of the jokes fall flat, the film would’ve benefitted from leaning into the camp comedy vibe that it often shows. Especially in the climactic battle, Green plays up Angelique’s camp and it’s wonderful, but Depp plays his role more macabre while Pfeiffer leans into dramatics.

Final say: Too much happening. ★★☆☆☆