As The Vampire Lestat barrels toward its season finale, Episode 6—titled "Montreal"—delivers one of the most emotionally charged moments yet. The penultimate installment of AMC's renamed third season of Interview with the Vampire finds Lestat (Sam Reid) reuniting with his eternal love Louis (Jacob Anderson) after last week's shocking twist involving an imposter Claudia. But it's a new original song, "Brutal Love," that steals the spotlight, and a behind-the-scenes exclusive gives fans a deeper look at how it came together.
Composed by the show's acclaimed musician Daniel Hart, "Brutal Love" marks a departure from Lestat's usual swaggering, David Bowie-inspired anthems like "Long Face" or his cover of Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself." Instead, the track slows things down, allowing Reid's vocals to shine with haunting, soulful beauty. In the exclusive video, Reid recalls being blown away the first time he heard the song, but notes that its true power emerged when he realized it would be performed with two key figures in the audience: Louis and Lestat's mother, Gabrielle (Jennifer Ehle).
The Meaning Behind 'Brutal Love'
Reid explains that the beauty of "Brutal Love" lies in its ambiguity—at first, it's unclear whether Lestat is singing to his mother or to the man he loves. That tension makes the performance electric. Ehle, who plays Gabrielle, found it especially delicious to watch the scene unfold. Her character initially appears content, only to slowly realize that she is not the most important person in the room. Lestat has crafted this anthem as a tribute to his turbulent, unbreakable bond with Louis, encapsulating everything they've endured together and where they stand now.
This episode also ties into the larger narrative of the season, which has followed Lestat's rise to rock stardom and his growing influence over both humans and vampires in the wake of the Great Conversion. Music has been a key tool for Lestat to express his feelings and connect with others—including the vampiric queen Akasha. In a recent interview, Sheila Atim, who plays Akasha, teased that music will continue to shape the series' future, calling it "the perfect tinderbox" for the drama to come.
For fans who want to dive deeper into the episode's twists, check out our breakdown of Claudia's shocking return in Episode 6, as explained by Jacob Anderson and Delainey Hayles.
Music as the Heart of the Series
Under showrunner Rolin Jones, The Vampire Lestat has reinvented Anne Rice's sequel novel with glitz, glamour, and a killer soundtrack. Tracks like "Brutal Love" are not just musical interludes—they're narrative devices that help forge Lestat's new persona while echoing his immortal past. As the season heads toward its finale, the role of music seems poised to expand even further, potentially becoming a bridge between Lestat and the ancient forces that surround him.
Episode 6 of The Vampire Lestat is now streaming on AMC+. Don't miss the season finale, and stay tuned for more exclusive content from ShowtimeSpot.
