Louis and Lestat are opposites but the same in the way that they're two statues carved out of the same stone
One of the biggest things I feel like effects the characterization of loustat is the fact they're both the same and any time I see people act like they're complete polar opposites it doesn't feel canon. Obviously they're different everybody knows that. But I feel like they're so similar in so many ways I don't see a lot of people point out. They both get depressed easily I mean even before they were vampires they were mentally ill. Lestats version of depression is throwing parties it's self destructive it's hedonistic his depression is like an overdose on pleasure and attention meanwhile, Louis brand of depression is isolation it's avoidance it's silence because his entire life he has had to avoid what he is to cope it's not as passive as Armand is but it's definitely resigned it's acceptance. When Claudia was gone for those seven years sure he despised Lestat but did he leave no because this is just how it is he is stuck with Lestat until eternity and there is nothing either one of them can do about it. And that's why in the end it's not Louis who kills Lestat yes he wanted to but he wouldn't because this is just how Lestat is and they won't get better but Louis won't leave and Lestat obviously won't either so Claudia has to be Louis heart she has to be the one to say that Louis needs to do something about this. (Side note: as the child of a domestic abuser...funny how Lestat's my favorite character isn't it... but seriously this isn't me saying why didn't Louis leave or blaming him this is me just analyzing that) because above all else Louis is filled with an intense shame Louis doesn't have to say he hates himself when the proof is literally in season one. Another example is, both of the toxic relationships they have with their mothers. One thing that's so interesting to me is that Lestat can look at Louis and his relationship with his mother and like actively see that there's something wrong with it at least a little bit we especially see this in the way that Lestat is so genuinely bitchy towards her. But when it comes to himself he sees Gabrielle as this person who gave him every opportunity yes he resents him (? Gabrielle definitely doesn't use she/her pronouns for like anybody other than Lestat so I'm going to refer to them by using they/them pronouns or he/him) Lestat romanticizes every single relationship he has but especially with Gabrielle he claims he and his mother shared each other's darkness that they were the only family each other could stand but if you see how neglectful Gabrielle is and how Lestat's been basically sexualized since birth. Lestat loves them and yearns for their attention and at the same time there's this deep resentment. One thing I find interesting is how Louis is so much like his mother when he's mad while Lestat is arguably the complete opposite of his mother. I do think this is one of those cultural differences between the two Louis being a black man was forced to have this hyper masculinity thrust upon him he must be the sole provider all the responsibility was on him but on the other hand Lestat being a white man in a abusive family wasn't expected to do anything he had no responsibilities he had no attention put on him it's privilege not to have to worry about anything or constantly be under scruinty but it's also neglect. Lestat's histrionic personality stems from a lack of attention in his childhood while Louis avoidant personality stems from this hyper focus the family had on him. Due to the death of his father he's essientely thrust into this role of the man of the household normally this burden would be shared between brothers but because of Paul's disability; which at this time inherently strips him of his strong title as a man that leaves all this hyper masculinity to Louis. Even though Louis is not an only child he's treated like one by the narrative as if he's the only male in the family.
While Louis was carved to be the man of the family Lestat was never expected to be anything at all he was the youngest of seven sons. Not only was Lestat valued less than his siblings he was treated almost like an unwanted daughter would be treated back then. Let me explain further so anytime Lestat tries to escape his terrible family

















