Vampirism, depression and symbolization An analysis of the film “Interview with the Vampire”

Abstract

In this article, the motion picture “Interview with the Vampire” is analyzed, starting from the premise that the vampire theme serves as illustration of depression. The hypothesis that a depressive breakdown is the result of an attack against symbolization, motivated by the wish to concretely retain the lost object, is presented via key scenes in the film. These are regarded as meaning-bearing manifestations of characteristics that are an integral part of the depressive breakdown. The discussion based on the material in the film takes up the relation of symbolization to introjection, incorporation and triangulation.