DUBBED the world's first 'Iranian vampire western', A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night has to be one of the most intriguing films of the year.

Shot in black and white, Ana Lily Amirpour's debut feature about a female vampire who prowls the streets in the aptly named Bad City is slick and stylish.

It is also visually striking with 'The Girl' (Argo's Sheila Vand) stalking her prey while wearing a hijab and riding a skateboard.

She appears to be a symbol of empowerment as much as a horror icon.

What also makes the film interesting is that 'The Girl' is a killer with a conscience – of sorts. Most of her victims 'deserve' it and the character is as lonely as the lost souls she devours.

The story also features a mishmash of genres spanning spaghetti westerns, graphic novels, horror films and Iranian New Wave. It is bound to become a cult hit.

But for all of its visual spark, there is little plot to speak of and very few memorable moments. It is a case of style over substance.

And when the film morphs into an unconventional love story it feels a little forced.

That said, A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night is a promising debut and shows director Amirpour as one to watch in the future.

Also look out for Mozhan Marnó who plays journalist Ayla Sayyad in House of Cards.