You remember the first time that chin split open? Honestly, it’s one of those "where were you" moments for horror fans.
Before the MCU was a multi-billion dollar machine, we had Blade 2. And before Luke Goss became Guillermo del Toro’s go-to guy for tragic monsters, he was just "that guy from Bros." If you grew up in the UK in the late 80s, you knew him as a pop star with a blonde quiff. Seeing him transform into Jared Nomak, a vein-popping, hyper-violent mutant vampire, was—to put it mildly—a massive shock to the system.
It's been over two decades, but the performance still holds up better than half the villains we see in modern superhero flicks. Let's talk about why.
The Jared Nomak Evolution: From Pop Star to Patient Zero
When Guillermo del Toro took the reigns for the sequel to Wesley Snipes’ 1998 hit, he didn't just want another suave vampire in a suit. He wanted something "biological." Something gross. He found that in Nomak.
Luke Goss didn't just walk onto the set; he disappeared under pounds of silicone and latex. This wasn't a guy playing a monster; this was a guy being a monster. Nomak is the "Patient Zero" of the Reaper strain. Unlike the traditional vampires who sit in posh boardrooms drinking blood from crystal flutes, Nomak is a blue-collar nightmare. He’s a failed experiment. He’s angry.
Most importantly, he’s a son who was rejected by his father, Eli Damaskinos. That’s the secret sauce. Luke Goss in Blade 2 isn't scary because of the fangs; he's scary because he has a motive you can actually understand. He wants to burn his father's empire to the ground. We’ve all had family drama, though hopefully, ours doesn't involve a tripartite jaw that unfolds like a blooming onion of death.
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Why the Reaper Design Still Creeps Us Out
- The Chin: That vertical scar wasn't just for show. When it opens, it reveals a barbed tongue and a set of mandibles that bypass the "sexy vampire" trope entirely.
- The Movement: Goss worked on a jittery, predatory movement style. He doesn't walk; he stalks.
- The Heart: In the movie, Reapers have their hearts encased in bone. It’s a literal representation of Nomak’s emotional state—hardened and protected.
The Del Toro Connection: How Luke Goss Changed the Game
A lot of people forget that Blade 2 was the bridge to Hellboy. Del Toro loved working with Goss so much that he basically wrote the role of Prince Nuada in Hellboy II: The Golden Army specifically for him.
If you watch them side-by-side, Nuada is just a more "refined" version of Nomak. Both are royal outcasts. Both hate their fathers. Both are absolute masters of martial arts.
Speaking of fighting, let's be real: the final showdown between Snipes and Goss is legendary. Usually, in these movies, the hero walks all over the villain. Not here. Nomak gives Blade a genuine run for his money. Goss brought a physicality to the role that most actors wouldn't bother with. He wasn't just a face in a mask; he was doing the stunts, taking the hits, and matching Wesley Snipes' intensity. That’s not easy. Snipes is a legit martial artist, and Goss had to train like a madman to not look like a suburban dad next to him.
What Most People Get Wrong About Nomak
People often call Nomak a "villain." That’s sorta reductive. Honestly, he’s an anti-hero in a very dark movie.
Think about it. The "Vampire Nation" is a corrupt, incestuous group of elitists who think they own the world. Nomak is the byproduct of their hubris. He’s the monster they created, and then threw in the trash when he wasn't "perfect."
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When Nomak bites Nyssa at the end, it’s not just a kill. It’s a tragic, warped version of a sibling embrace. There’s a sadness in Goss’s eyes throughout that final act that most "scary" actors can't pull off. He makes you feel bad for the guy who just spent two hours eating people in a sewer. That is high-level acting.
The Makeup Nightmare
You’ve got to respect the chair time. Goss spent roughly five to seven hours in the makeup chair every single day. Imagine sitting still while people glue pieces of your face on at 4:00 AM. Then, you have to go out and do wire-work and fight choreography for twelve hours. It sounds like a special kind of hell.
But that discomfort? It’s on the screen. You can see the irritation and the weight of the prosthetics in his performance. It adds to the "burdened" feel of the character.
The Lasting Legacy of Blade 2
Is it the best movie in the trilogy? Yes. Hands down.
While the first Blade set the tone, the second one perfected the world-building. And a huge chunk of that success lands on the shoulders of the villain. Without a credible threat, Blade is just a guy in leather hitting CGI dust clouds. Nomak made the stakes feel real. He made the vampires feel like they could actually lose.
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If you’re revisiting the film today, pay attention to the silence. Goss uses silence incredibly well. He doesn't monolog like a Bond villain. He grunts, he breathes heavy, and he looks at his hands like they’re weapons he can't put down.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Filmmakers
If you're a fan of the genre or a budding creator, there are a few things to take away from what Goss did here:
- Character over Caricature: Even if your character has a face that opens up, give them a human reason to be mad. Revenge is a classic for a reason.
- Physicality Matters: Don't rely on the stunt double for everything. The way an actor carries their weight defines the character.
- Embrace the Gross: Practical effects (like the ones from Phil Tippett’s studio in this film) will always age better than mid-2000s CGI. The tactile nature of Nomak’s skin is why he’s still scary.
To see the impact of this role today, you just have to look at the "tragic villain" trope in modern cinema. From Killmonger to High Evolutionary, the DNA of a spurned, created "monster" seeking justice through violence is everywhere. But nobody did it with quite as much visceral, slimy style as Luke Goss did in 2002.
Next Steps for Your Rewatch:
Go back and watch the final fight scene specifically. Notice the lack of music in certain parts. Listen to the sound design of the hits. Then, immediately go watch Hellboy II. You’ll see the exact moment Luke Goss cemented himself as one of the greatest "creature" actors in the history of the medium. Don't just look at the fangs—look at the performance beneath them.