Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter 2012
Directed by
Timur Bekmambetov
Plot Summary
In the year 1818, young Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker](/actor/benjamin-walker)) lives a humble life with his parents, Nancy and Thomas, who are employed at a plantation belonging to the cruel Jack Barts (Marton Csokas). They face a tragic turn of events when Lincoln intervenes to help a young African American boy, William Johnson (Anthony Mackie), who is being brutally mistreated. As a consequence of this act, Thomas is dismissed from his job. Later that night, Lincoln witnesses a horrifying scene: Barts invades their home, leading to Nancy’s untimely death due to poisoning, orchestrated by Barts himself.
Fast forward nine years, a vengeful Lincoln seeks retribution against Barts at the docks but is overpowered by him, only to be rescued at the last moment by Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper). Sturgess reveals the existence of vampires and offers to train Lincoln in the art of vampire hunting. Eager for revenge, Lincoln commits himself to a decade of rigorous training. During this time, Sturgess informs Lincoln about the vampire lineage in America, tracing it back to Adam (Rufus Sewell), a vampire plantation owner in New Orleans, as well as the vampires’ vulnerability to silver, symbolized by a silver pocket watch gifted to Lincoln.
Upon arriving in Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln befriends shopkeeper Joshua Speed (Jimmi Simpson) and meets the enchanting Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Despite Sturgess’ warnings against forming close ties, Lincoln finds himself falling for Mary. His quest for vengeance leads him to confront and ultimately defeat Barts, who, in a shocking twist, discloses that Sturgess is a vampire too. Sturgess reveals the tragic fate of his wife, bitten by Adam, which made him a vampire while leaving him unable to harm others of his kind, as “Only the living can kill the dead.”
Disillusioned by the revelation, Lincoln considers halting his pursuit of justice. However, Adam has other plans; he kidnaps Johnson to ensnare Lincoln into a trap at his plantation. After a harrowing experience, Lincoln is captured but manages to escape with the aid of Speed. Determined, Lincoln marries Mary and embarks on a political career focused on abolishing slavery, despite Sturgess’ caution that vampire forces leverage the slave trade for control.
With Lincoln’s election as the President of the United States, he and Mary move to the White House, welcoming their son, William Wallace Lincoln. Tragedy strikes again when William is bitten by Adam’s sister, Vadoma, leading to his death. The conflict escalates as Adam, spurred on by Confederate President Jefferson Davis, unleashes his vampires. In response, Lincoln orders the melting of silverware to forge silver weapons.
As tensions rise, Adam and Vadoma ambush Lincoln, Sturgess, and Johnson during a train transport. However, a shocking betrayal by Speed turns into a clever ruse, leading Adam into a trap. After a fierce struggle, Lincoln delivers a fateful blow with his silver watch, killing Adam and escaping the ensuing chaos. Meanwhile, Mary and the former slaves successfully navigate the Underground Railroad to transport silver to Gettysburg, where Mary ultimately confronts Vadoma.
With the Confederate vampires in disarray, the Union army mounts an overwhelming offensive, armed with their silver weaponry, culminating in a decisive victory and the end of the war.
Almost two years later, on April 14, 1865, Sturgess informs Lincoln that the remaining vampires have fled. Although Sturgess proposes to turn Lincoln into a vampire for immortality, Lincoln declines, opting instead to attend a theater with Mary, foreshadowing his imminent assassination by John Wilkes Booth.
In a haunting modern-day echo, Sturgess finds a new target at a bar in Washington, D.C., reminiscent of his past approach to Lincoln.
Timeline
Abraham Lincoln's Humble Beginnings
In the year 1818, young Abraham Lincoln lives a modest life with his parents, Nancy and Thomas, who work at a plantation owned by the cruel Jack Barts. Their tranquility is shattered as they navigate the challenges of life on the plantation, marked by the threat of oppression and injustice.
The Act of Courage
Lincoln intervenes heroically to save a young African American boy, William Johnson, who is being mistreated. Unfortunately, this brave move leads to dire consequences, resulting in Thomas losing his job at the plantation and revealing the harsh realities of the era's racial tensions.
A Tragic Loss
Later that night, the situation escalates when Jack Barts invades Lincoln's home. In a horrifying development, he orchestrates the poisoning of Nancy, Lincoln's mother, leading to a traumatic loss that profoundly affects young Abraham.
A Decade of Vengeance
Nine years later, a vengeful Lincoln stalks Barts at the docks, seeking retribution for his family's suffering. Overpowered, he is rescued by Henry Sturgess, who reveals the existence of vampires and offers Lincoln training in the forgotten art of vampire hunting.
A New Lineage
As Lincoln trains with Sturgess, he discovers a dark lineage of vampires in America, tracing back to Adam, a vampire plantation owner. This knowledge empowers Lincoln, who learns about the vampires' weakness to silver, symbolized by a pocket watch gifted to him.
Friendship and Love
Upon arriving in Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln befriends shopkeeper Joshua Speed and meets the enchanting Mary Todd. Despite warnings from Sturgess regarding the dangers of emotional ties, Lincoln finds himself falling deeply in love with Mary.
Confrontation with Barts
Driven by his thirst for vengeance, Lincoln confronts Barts, who reveals a shocking truth: Sturgess is a vampire too. This revelation disillusions Lincoln and complicates his quest for revenge against the forces of darkness.
Adam's Trap
In a calculated move, Adam kidnaps Johnson to lure Lincoln into a trap at his plantation. Lincoln courageously navigates a harrowing experience, ultimately managing to escape thanks to the timely intervention of Speed.
The Marriage and Political Awakening
Determined to effect change, Lincoln marries Mary and embarks on a political career centered on the abolition of slavery. Despite Sturgess' warnings about the vampire forces exploiting the slave trade, Lincoln remains undeterred in his quest for justice.
Rise to Power
With Lincoln's election as President of the United States, he and Mary move into the White House, where they welcome their son, William Wallace Lincoln. However, their happiness is short-lived as tragedy strikes again with William's death due to a vampire attack.
An Escalating Conflict
As tensions rise, the vampire threat escalates led by Adam and his sister Vadoma, prompting Lincoln to forge silver weapons in preparation for battle. Determined to protect the country, Lincoln orders the melting of silverware to create armaments.
The Final Battle
During a train transport, Adam and Vadoma carry out an ambush against Lincoln, Sturgess, and Johnson. However, a surprising twist unfolds as Joshua Speed's betrayal becomes a strategic ruse, leading Adam into a deadly trap.
Defeating Adam
In a climactic showdown, Lincoln delivers a fatal blow to Adam using his silver watch, successfully killing the vampire leader. This victory not only cements Lincoln's status as a protector but also turns the tide of the conflict.
The Underground Railroad
As the Union army gains momentum thanks to the silver weaponry, Mary and former slaves work tirelessly to navigate the Underground Railroad, working to transport silver to Gettysburg. Their bravery becomes critical in the fight for freedom.
A Fateful Night
On April 14, 1865, Lincoln learns from Sturgess that the remaining vampires have fled. Sturgess offers Lincoln a chance at immortality, but Lincoln declines, choosing instead to attend a theater with Mary, unaware of his impending assassination.
Characters
Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker)
Lincoln is depicted as a determined and resilient leader with a deep sense of justice. His character evolves from a vengeful young man to a president who prioritizes freedom and equality. His dual role as both vampire hunter and political visionary reveals the internal struggle between his personal vengeance and his broader responsibilities.
Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper)
Sturgess serves as Lincoln's mentor in the world of vampire hunting, embodying both wisdom and danger. His character grapples with his vampire nature and the consequences it brings to Lincoln's journey. Despite his intentions, his secrets create tension and mistrust, impacting Lincoln's mission.
Adam (Rufus Sewell)
Adam is the primary antagonist, characterized as a cunning and powerful vampire plantation owner. His influence on both the vampire community and the Confederate forces showcases his ruthless ambition and strategic mind. As Lincoln’s formidable foe, Adam embodies the existential threat that Lincoln must overcome.
Setting
Time period
1818-1865
The story unfolds across several decades, beginning in 1818 and culminating in 1865. This period was marked by significant events in American history, such as the rise of abolitionism and the Civil War. The tensions between the North and South led to a fierce struggle over human rights, drastically shaping the nation and its leadership.
Location
Springfield, Illinois, New Orleans, Gettysburg, White House, Washington, D.C.
The movie takes place in several significant American locations. Springfield, Illinois, is where Abraham Lincoln meets important characters and begins his political journey. New Orleans serves as the backdrop for the vampire lineage, and the White House represents Lincoln's ascent to power. Gettysburg is pivotal during the conflict, while Washington, D.C. symbolizes both historical and modern reflections on Lincoln's legacy.
Themes
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Revenge
The theme of revenge drives Lincoln's character throughout the film. After the tragic loss of his mother, he seeks vengeance against those responsible. However, this pursuit complicates his relationships and moral compass, especially when he discovers the complexities of his enemies' true nature.
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Freedom
The quest for freedom is central to the narrative, highlighting Lincoln's political ambitions to abolish slavery. The film intertwines the fight against both literal and metaphorical bondage, demonstrating the lengths individuals will go to achieve liberty for themselves and others.
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Betrayal
Betrayal emerges as a recurring theme, with trust being exploited at critical moments. Characters like Sturgess and Speed manipulate relationships for their own ends, showcasing how personal loyalties can shift drastically amidst conflict. This theme underscores the complexities of alliances in times of war.
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