---
title: "The Vampire Diaries"
year: 2009
kind: "series"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-vampire-diaries"
fi1m_id: "the-vampire-diaries"
imdb_id: "tt1405406"
tmdb_id: 18165
wikidata_id: "Q28537"
fi1m_score: 71
critics_score: 61
critics_reviews: 7
published: "2026-09-23T10:54:37.894471+00:00"
updated: "2026-09-23T10:54:38.678950+00:00"
region: "CH"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Vampire Diaries (2009)

Created by Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson · 43m · CH 16 · Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

## Identity

The Vampire Diaries

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/tv/the-vampire-diaries
- **Type:** Series
- **Fi1m ID:** the-vampire-diaries
- **IMDb ID:** tt1405406
- **TMDB ID:** 18165
- **Wikidata ID:** Q28537
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1405406/, https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/18165, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28537

**Fi1m score: 71** · Critics 61 from 7 reviews

*In a sentence:* A bad vampire is welcome company when the teenagers are this earnest

> Ian Somerhalder gives this earnest supernatural soap the mischief it needs. The opening is familiar and occasionally stiff, but the cast and brisk storytelling make it worth forgiving if teenage melodrama is your sort of evening.

## Synopsis

High school is complicated by bereavement, love triangles and mysterious deaths. Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) is at the centre of the teenage drama, alongside Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder). Damon brings a vampire’s pleasure in bad behaviour to a town whose adolescent problems are acquiring a supernatural dimension. Romance carries on amid the grief and uncertainty, but the possibility of vampires changes the question of whom to trust. The teenagers have school life to negotiate while something more dangerous occupies their attention.

## Review

*The Vampire Diaries* is a good supernatural soap with a stiff opening, worth staying with if teenage romance is already your weakness. Creators Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson treat young people’s feelings with a seriousness that can be touching and can also test our patience. High school offers love triangles, mysterious deaths and rather more anguish than the timetable requires. The familiar setup needs actors who can make all that unhappiness interesting, and it does not immediately give everyone the chance.

Nina Dobrev gives Elena Gilbert enough vulnerability to make the romantic attention matter. The performance works because she allows the feelings their full weight without making every moment seem like a demand for sympathy. Paul Wesley, as Stefan Salvatore, has the less immediately rewarding task of sustaining the solemnity. His restraint suits the romantic drama, although there are stretches when another serious look is not quite enough to hold a scene. Together they establish an earnestness that the programme would be foolish to discard.

We were relieved when Damon Salvatore arrived. Ian Somerhalder enjoys the character’s nastiness so openly that the surrounding romantic misery becomes easier to bear. He understands how much pleasure there is in watching someone behave badly when everybody else is struggling to say the right thing. The performance is broad, but the series needs that extra energy, and he supplies it without pretending the material is beneath him. It also exposes how interchangeable some of the supporting teenage performances can initially feel.

The writing is more interesting when attraction makes someone excuse bad behaviour. That gives the questions about forgiveness and growing up a reason to be there, rather than leaving them for another grave conversation. It is familiar territory for teenage fantasy, but useful territory when the characters are allowed to change. The quick storytelling helps: there is usually another complication before the current one has been exhausted. Sometimes a little more time with the consequences would help.

The polish is occasionally too reassuring for the horror. Blood interrupts the romance, but the programme’s smooth presentation seldom makes the surroundings feel deeply unsafe. Michael Suby’s music takes the emotional upheaval seriously, which suits a series so unwilling to laugh off its characters’ distress. That support is useful until the solemnity becomes oppressive. We are more persuaded by the shifts in pace between romantic anxiety and gory action, which keep either from settling into a long, unbroken stretch.

There are limits to the writing’s persuasiveness. The teenagers can sound as though their dialogue has been carefully prepared, and the supernatural premise does not make that stiffness disappear. Ancient vampires spending so much time around adolescents also requires a tolerance for the genre’s peculiar priorities. The sincerity helps, but it cannot turn every familiar romantic obstacle into a fresh discovery. Anyone hoping for sustained dread should know that the romantic entanglements claim a great deal of the attention.

We recommend it for the cast and the willingness to let a potentially silly premise become emotionally important. It earns that recommendation gradually; the opening’s dutiful introductions are a poor measure of how involving the character development can become. The vampires will not make teenage melodrama palatable to anyone who dislikes it already. If that is your objection, a change of programme will do more than another episode.

*Fi1m score 71, published 23 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards qualified approval, finding an entertaining supernatural soap beneath the familiar teen romance and vampire plotting. Ian Somerhalder’s Damon draws repeated praise for bringing energy and mischief to material that can otherwise feel generic. The stronger notices also credit the writing, mythology and character development, with Collider singling out Nina Dobrev’s dual role. Even some mixed reviews find the series watchable, helped by its willingness to take its own unlikely premise seriously.

The spread is wide, and the distinction between early assessments and later appraisals matters. Reviews of the pilot question the clichés, contrived dialogue and debt to Twilight; some doubt there is enough substance to sustain interest. Later responses are warmer: Den of Geek praises the pace and the exploration of morality, redemption and adulthood. The main divide is between critics who see recycled teenage wish fulfilment and those who find that the storytelling grows beyond that starting point.

## Straight answers

**Is The Vampire Diaries worth watching?**

*The Vampire Diaries* is worth watching if teenage romance and supernatural soap are your sort of evening; we score it 71 out of 100. The opening is stiff and familiar, but Ian Somerhalder’s mischievous Damon, brisk storytelling and increasingly involving characters make it worth staying with. We would look elsewhere for sustained dread.

**How long is The Vampire Diaries, and what is it rated?**

*The Vampire Diaries* has episodes of about 43m and is rated 16 by the CH in Switzerland. It is a drama and sci-fi & fantasy series.

**Where can I watch The Vampire Diaries in Switzerland?**

*The Vampire Diaries* is streaming on HBO Max, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in Switzerland. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is The Vampire Diaries, and is it suitable for children?**

*The Vampire Diaries* has a UK 15 certificate and contains blood and gory action, making it unsuitable for children under 15. We find the smooth presentation limits the fright, while romance takes more attention than sustained horror. It suits older teenagers comfortable with gore and stories involving bereavement and mysterious deaths, rather than squeamish viewers.

**How does The Vampire Diaries compare to Buffy the Vampire Slayer?**

*The Vampire Diaries* is the more earnest romantic soap; we favour [*Buffy the Vampire Slayer*](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer) for sharper jokes, stranger monsters and more resourceful friends. Both reward patience with their performances, though the supernatural plotting in *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* is uneven. Choose *The Vampire Diaries* if you prefer romantic entanglements treated with sustained seriousness.

**Is The Vampire Diaries based on a true story or a book?**

*The Vampire Diaries* is based on L.J. Smith’s novels, rather than a true story. The programme introduces Elena Gilbert, the Salvatore brothers and its supernatural high-school setting for itself, so we would not treat reading the books as preparation; our recommendation rests on the cast and developing characters, rather than fidelity to the source.

**What should I watch after The Vampire Diaries?**

After *The Vampire Diaries*, try [*Buffy the Vampire Slayer*](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer) (1997, Fi1m 80): Teenage unhappiness gets sharper jokes, stranger monsters and more resourceful friends. Then [*Let the Right One In*](https://film.one/film/let-the-right-one-in) (2008, Fi1m 88): Young loneliness and vampire attachment, handled with more quiet and unease; and [*Veronica Mars*](https://film.one/tv/veronica-mars) (2004, Fi1m 84): For school hierarchies, tangled loyalties and a heroine worth following through trouble.

### Reviews we read (7)

- **The Independent** (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the series unoriginal but enjoyable, mixing tween romance with gory action in a teen-targeted supernatural soap opera. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/dvd-the-vampire-diaries-season-one-various-directors-15-2056827.html)
- **Variety**, Brian Lowry (60/100, inferred): The series is described as a slick but slight teen vampire drama calculated to tap into the Twilight phenomenon, with familiar elements mixed into an engaging crimson cocktail that gets a boost from Ian Somerhalder's arrival as the bad vampire. It notes the show hits requisite notes but may struggle to sustain interest without becoming derivative. [Read](https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/the-vampire-diaries-1200476369/)
- **The AV Club**, Emily St. James (C-): The critic views the pilot as a guilty pleasure that is not very good but refreshingly committed to its ideas without self-aware cynicism. They single out Ian Somerhalder's fun, over-the-top performance as Damon for praise while noting the generic cast and clichéd story. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-vampire-diaries-pilot-1798206923)
- **The Hollywood Reporter** (40/100, inferred): The review, written as a diary entry from protagonist Elena, portrays high school life in Mystic Falls as complicated by orphans, love triangles, mysterious deaths and possible vampires. It highlights the show's fantastical and spooky elements while questioning the logic of ancient vampires mingling with teens and noting the scripted, mature dialogue. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/vampire-diaries-tv-review-93480/)
- **Collider**, Samantha Murray (80/100, inferred): The critic finds the show one of the most consistently good on network TV, praising its solid writing and intriguing storytelling despite a silly premise. She singles out the strong performances, particularly Nina Dobrev's dual role, and the engaging mythology. [Read](https://collider.com/the-vampire-diaries-season-two-blu-ray-review/)
- **Den of Geek**, Caroline Preece (80/100, inferred): The series is remembered as a genre-bending, trailblazing show that entertained while exploring complex ideas about morality, redemption and adulthood. Its rapid storytelling pace and commitment to character development made it stand out even as trends shifted. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-vampire-diaries-the-highs-the-lows-the-loves/)
- **Digital Spy**, Dan French, Neil Wilkes (50/100, inferred): The reviewers offer mixed takes on the pilot: one finds it clichéd but watchable due to the sexy cast and teen drama appeal, while the other dismisses it as a blatant Twilight imitation that is not really good but likely to succeed commercially. They highlight the character setup and Ian Somerhalder's Damon as points of interest. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a167511/pilot-reviews-vampire-diaries-the-cw/)

## Details

- **Created by:** Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson
- **Creator:** Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson
- **Director:** Chris Grismer, Michael A. Allowitz, Joshua Butler, Marcos Siega, Pascal Verschooris, Kellie Cyrus, J. Miller Tobin, John Behring, Jeffrey Hunt, Rob Hardy, Paul Wesley, Leslie Libman, Lance Anderson, Jesse Warn, John Dahl, Wendey Stanzler, Darren Genet, Liz Friedlander, Geoff Shotz, David Von Ancken, Ian Somerhalder, Julie Plec, Garreth Stover, Michael Karasick, Kevin Bray, Tony Solomons, Dennis Smith, Deborah Chow, Michael Katleman, Darnell Martin, Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, Ralph Hemecker, Paul M. Sommers, David Barrett, Guy Ferland, Brad Turner, Patrick Norris, Rick Bota, Carol Banker, Charles Beeson, Tanya Hamilton, David Jackson, Jeff Woolnough, James L. Thompson III, Ernest Dickerson, Rashaad Ernesto Green
- **Writer:** Caroline Dries, Brian Young, Julie Plec, Rebecca Sonnenshine, Brett Matthews, Kevin Williamson, Melinda Hsu Taylor, Neil Reynolds, Chad Fiveash, Michael Narducci, Holly Brix, James Patrick Stoteraux, Elisabeth R. Finch, Andrew Chambliss, Barbie Kligman, Jose Molina, Turi Meyer, Bryan Oh, Alfredo Septién, Matthew D'Ambrosio, Mike Daniels, Charlie Charbonneau, Shukree Hassan Tilghman, Bryan M. Holdman, Evan Bleiweiss, Céline Geiger, Sonny Postiglione, Gabrielle Stanton, Penny Cox, Elizabeth Craft, Sarah Fain, Michael J. Cinquemani, Nina Fiore, Andrew Kreisberg, Brett Conrad, Sean Reycraft, Alan B. McElroy, John Herrera
- **Story:** Julie Plec, Neil Reynolds, Matthew D'Ambrosio, Penny Cox, Jennifer Vestuto, Melissa Marlette
- **Teleplay:** Rebecca Sonnenshine, Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, Neil Reynolds, Melinda Hsu Taylor, Chad Fiveash, Holly Brix, James Patrick Stoteraux
- **Novel:** L.J. Smith
- **Music:** Michael Suby
- **Producer:** Pascal Verschooris, James L. Thompson III, Brett Matthews
- **Cast:** Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert / Katherine Pierce; Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore; Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore; Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert; Sara Canning as Jenna Sommers; Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett; Candice King as Caroline Forbes; Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan
- **Runtime:** 43m
- **Certificate (CH):** 16
- **Release (Switzerland):** 10 September 2009
- **Genres:** Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

## Where to watch in Switzerland

- HBO Max: streaming
- Netflix: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: streaming

*Checked 2026-09-23.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997), Fi1m 80: Teenage unhappiness gets sharper jokes, stranger monsters and more resourceful friends. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer.md)
- *Being Human* (2008): Supernatural housemates bring the romantic anguish closer to awkward everyday life.
- *Let the Right One In* (2008), Fi1m 88: Young loneliness and vampire attachment, handled with more quiet and unease. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/let-the-right-one-in.md)
- *Veronica Mars* (2004), Fi1m 84: For school hierarchies, tangled loyalties and a heroine worth following through trouble. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/veronica-mars.md)
- *Byzantium* (2012): Vampire romance gives way to a more troubled mother-and-daughter bond.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/tv/the-vampire-diaries