Ethan Carter
Interview with the Vampire returns for Season 3, now titled The Vampire Lestat, honoring the second installment of Anne Rice’s acclaimed Vampire Chronicles. In this season, Sam Reid transitions from a supporting antagonist to the lead role of Lestat, the charming anti-hero. The narrative delves into his life before becoming a vampire and explores his aspirations of rock stardom, as he prepares to unveil the hidden truths of his kind—whether they approve or not.
After the special presentation The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE, the Season 3 premiere features the episode titled “Detroit,” named after the city central to its plot. Before diving into Lestat’s escapades filled with rock music, indulgence, and chaos, the episode kicks off with an intriguing auction.
This sequence is rich in exposition packed into a brief moment. Let’s break it down step by step.
What is the timeline of the auction event?
Sam Reid and Jennifer Ehle portray Lestat and Gabrielle in ‘The Vampire Lestat.’ Credit: AMC+
The precise timing of the auction remains ambiguous. based on the auctioneer’s comments, we can speculate that it occurs after 2025, following the tour and album release by The Vampire Lestat, which is the centerpiece of this auction.
Given that Interview with the Vampire is set in 2022, this opening sequence unfolds years after the last appearance of Louis (Jacob Anderson) and Lestat. It appears that the intervening years have been challenging for Louis, who now uses a cane as he enters the auction. His former lover Armand (Assad Zaman) sports an eyepatch, with scars visible around it. Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) and Lestat are absent, but Raglan James (Justin Kirk) from the Talamasca is in attendance.
Critics received episodes one through six in advance, confirming that this opening scene takes place after all those episodes. As for episode 7, that remains uncertain.
What are the auctioneer’s opening remarks in The Vampire Lestat?
Assad Zaman stars as Armand in ‘The Vampire Lestat.’ Credit: AMC+
In this secretive auction held within a plane hangar, the auctioneer introduces the first item with great enthusiasm.
Mashable Top Stories
“Lot 1 of 2: ‘The Complete Works of the Vampire Lestat de Lioncourt,’ featuring his 2025 self-titled album ‘The Vampire Lestat,’ along with additional session tracks that were not included in the final album, original handwritten scores, and private recordings by the Vampire Lestat, including a classical song cycle set to the poetry of Baudelaire. Before we proceed with the bidding, I will perform a special demonstration.”
To the astonishment of the gathered bidders, the auctioneer ignites lot one. While some attendees express their disapproval and exit, Louis appears amused. The charred remains of the lot are sold for a mere one yuan, hinting that this auction is taking place in China.
The auctioneer continues with excitement:
“Lot number two, a music box personally curated by the Vampire Lestat. It includes a 1978 Ferdinando Meccani Corinto sideboard. Inside, you will find a Rossner and Sohn MOTT Turntable paired with BeoLab 20 speakers, alongside two temperature-controlled wine cabinets—one containing a bottle of Niepoort 1863 port wine, and the other housing a magnum of blood from the curator himself. The upper compartment contains a unique vinyl pressing of ‘The Complete Works of the Vampire Lestat de Lioncourt,’ previously mentioned, plus 111 albums of audio that narrate an omniscient history of the events surrounding the 2025 album, its accompanying tour, and the resulting global catastrophes, as recounted by the Vampire Lestat himself. This collection has been dubbed ‘The Failures.’ Bidding will commence at 50 million yuan.”
What insights can we glean about Lestat’s whereabouts?
Sam Reid embodies the rock star Lestat. Credit: AMC+
This scene provides several hints, starting with the narration that commences shortly after the auctioneer’s introduction.
Louis, Armand, and Raglan enthusiastically bid on lot number two, but we do not witness the outcome. Instead, amidst the bidding frenzy, a record scratch interrupts as if the unknown victor is playing the first vinyl record.
Lestat’s voice echoes: “If you’re hearing this now, you must be an exceptionally fortunate individual. You could have supported a small nation for years while they rebuilt from the ruins. Yet, you chose to buy my music box instead. I find you intriguing already.”
This mention of rubble, combined with the auctioneer’s references to “consequential global catastrophes,” implies that Lestat recorded The Failures after significant disasters had occurred. What kind of disaster? Lestat’s narration continues, “I’m not claiming that the attempted extinction of the Y chromosome across continents was solely my doing. That would imply a level of self-importance I can’t wholly embrace. upon reflection—yes, I played a part.”
Lestat hints at an attempted genocide, which fans familiar with Anne Rice’s novels might speculate was orchestrated by Akasha. The vampire queen, briefly mentioned in Season 2, makes her appearance this season, portrayed by Sheila Atim. But like Lestat, I’m getting ahead of the story.
What key conclusions can we draw from the opening auction of The Vampire Lestat?
Eric Bogosian portrays Daniel Molloy in ‘The Vampire Lestat.’ Credit: AMC+
Season 3 of Interview with the Vampire unfolds in a non-linear format. Much like the iconic film noir Sunset Boulevard, which follows a struggling writer who suffers grave consequences for manipulating a reclusive silent film star’s affections, The Vampire Lestat opens with the anti-hero explaining the circumstances that led to this dire situation.
Is Lestat deceased? That seems unlikely. this opening sequence implies there have been global catastrophes resulting in numerous deaths, particularly among those possessing a Y chromosome. While some familiar vampires, such as Armand and Louis, have survived, they carry their scars. As for Daniel and Lestat, viewers will need to stay tuned to uncover their fates.
How to watch: The Vampire Lestat premieres on AMC and AMC+ on June 7, with new episodes released every Sunday.
Daniel Mercer
