The Monster-as-Slayer in Blade (1998): Blade and Posthuman Identity

Abstract

Blade (1998) features an African American half-vampire whose goals seem contradictory: save the humans that would fear and hate him. A new character trope, the monster-as-slayer, is introduced in the movie’s eponymous hero, Blade, the half-vampire half-human private eye. Via this trope, the movie explores contradictions in its hero’s identity and motivations, leaving audiences in suspense throughout the film. Although there are examples of the monster-as-slayer in other media, Blade seems to begin this trend for modern film by combining classic elements of the vampire with new science fiction approaches. The result is the creation of a show-stopping posthuman superhero with whom the audience cannot help but empathize, monster or no monster. By analyzing the monster-as-slayer trope, I demonstrate a posthuman future on screen that encourages audiences to accept the monsters we are.