Hammer’s Dracula Series: Van Helsing (INTJ)

In the 50s, 60s, and 70s, Hammer Horror Films produced a Dracula series consisting of nine movies. The character, Van Helsing, played a prominent role in the first two of these movies: Horror of Dracula and Brides of Dracula. The characters don’t get a lot of development in either of these movies, being mostly used to further the plot. However, we were able to pinpoint a likely personality type for Van Helsing. Van Helsing presents as an introvert and a thinker, which caused us to primarily consider ISTP, ISTJ, INTP, and INTJ. Ultimately, as you can see, we landed on INTJ for Van Helsing.

Ni:

“Please don’t misunderstand me. This is more than a superstition, I know. The danger is very real. If the investigation that Mr. Harker and I have engaged upon is successful, not only you but the whole world will benefit.”

“I know I ask a great deal of you, but you mustn’t weaken now. We have it within our power to rid the world of this evil.”

While there’s not a lot of evidence for this character, Van Helsing appears to be a Ni dominant. An early indication of this was the “big picture” approach he takes to this goal, when dealing with others. For instance, during his first scene, Van Helsing tries to convince the innkeeper to give him information. He doesn’t focus on the specific practical or personal implications of killing Dracula. Instead, Van Helsing makes a broad, or general statement about how both the man and the whole world will benefit.

In his dealings with others, Van Helsing tends to fixate on his mission or his purpose. This manifests clearly in conversations. For instance, the innkeeper tries to dismiss the hanging garlic and everything else as just a local superstition. Van Helsing plainly states that he knows it’s not, and proceeds to push the innkeeper to help him. Similarly, with others, he’ll often dismiss any unnecessary or unproductive aspects of a conversation, such as apologizing, to focus on what needs to happen next. For instance, when Arthur Holmwood is bemoaning his past decision to not let Van Helsing use Lucy to hunt down Dracula, Van Helsing quickly shrugs it off, saying that Arthur shouldn’t blame himself, but that he should let them use Mina now.

When it comes to explaining things to others, Van Helsing has a similar desire to skip over or conceal things that he doesn’t think are necessary for them to know. This is demonstrated when he dodges explaining how Harker died, in spite of the scrutiny and suspicion being expressed by Arthur. Only after the death of his sister, did he finally reveal what was going on, stating it was now relevant. Of course, he does so by giving Arthur his brother’s journal, rather than actually explaining anything himself.

Te:

“I cannot impress upon you strongly enough how important it is that you obey my instructions. Do exactly as I say, and we may be able to save her. If you don’t, she will die.”

Van Helsing is very goal oriented, choosing to focus on how to get something done. This frequently leads to him looking over the human aspect of a situation, viewing other people’s loved ones as tools. A good example of this is when he initially tries to convince Arthur to let him use Lucy to lead them back to Dracula. Arthur has to very plainly tell Van Helsing how emotionally detestable that plan is in order for him to backpedal on it. This kind of thinking is present constantly, informing his actions and how he deals with other people’s emotions.

Like we mentioned in the Ni section, Van Helsing is very quick to dismiss an apology or someone’s regret. He prefers to move on to how they are going to accomplish what they need to do instead. When the maid is hysterical, instead of trying to calm her down, Van Helsing slaps her and demands that she give him the information he needs. Similarly, when Mina tries to ask how Lucy knew that Harker was dead, he simply cuts her off and tells her to obey his instructions, no matter how unorthodox. She keeps trying to get him to explain, but he continually emphasizes that there are more critical things to discuss, rather than bothering to take a minute to explain.

Van Helsing also has a tendency to lean on his credentials as a doctor to get people to fall in line or give him what he wants. We see, on many occasions, that he uses it to garner respect or dismiss someone’s objections of what he is doing. He also expects his position of authority to get others to obey him, in spite of giving them little explanation. He expects them to trust his judgement and do as he says, given his authority.

Fi:

Van Helsing seems to possess a strong sense of self. In this particular character, his Fi manifests in how confident he is in the things he does, even when it runs contrary to social norms. We’re not solely referring to the vampire hunts here, but also his day-to-day routines. For instance, a servant hears another voice in the room, and appears confused when he only sees Van Helsing. When he questions Van Helsing about it, Van Helsing responds in the most matter-of-fact manner, with, “Well, of course you did, I was talking to myself.” The servant seems clearly concerned and confused. However, Van Helsing doesn’t seem in the least bit bothered or compelled to explain further.

In the second movie, the other doctor scoffs at his diagnosis of the girl being killed by a vampire. In spite of this, Van Helsing doesn’t act in the least bit phased. The other doctor proclaims that he laughs at such superstitions, but Van Helsing just very calmly responds, “I shouldn’t if I were you.” There is no hint of concern for whether the other doctor was going to question his competency or what he might think of him for prescribing to superstition. He simply moves on and asks that the matter be left to him.

Se:

Van Helsing’s inferior Se manifests in his failure to take a hands-on approach when dealing with others. He’ll frequently show up to a scene or situations, give some instructions after taking stock of the situation, and then just leave, expecting people to obey him completely. For instance, he could have ensured that the Holmwoods (and everyone in their household) followed his instructions to the letter by sticking around to monitor Lucy. However, he does not, and Dracula is able to finish the job.

Along these same lines, his tendency to keep information from people also has tragic results time and time again. While being prone to speak in broad or vague terms is Ni, the failure to speak in more concrete terms when necessary is a sign of bad Se. In both movies, he fails to relay the full picture of what’s going on. In the first movie, he never explains the danger that Lucy is truly in. Similarly, in the second movie, he gives the proprietors of the school instructions to guard the coffin, without explaining why. Had they understood the full ramifications, these people may have been more diligent in following his instructions.