Fresh from the success of Feuillade's previous serial, "Fantômas", and facing competition from rival company Pathé, Feuillade made the film quickly and inexpensively with very little written script. Upon its initial release "Les Vampires" was given negative reviews by critics for its dubious morality and its lack of cinematic techniques compared to other films. However, it was a massive success with its wartime audience, making Musidora a star of French cinema. The film has since come under re-evaluation and is considered by many to be Feuillade's "magnum opus" and a cinematic masterpiece. It is recognised for developing thriller techniques, adopted by Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang, and avant-garde cinema, inspiring Luis Buñuel and others. It is included in the book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die".