Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Name: Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
Released: 2009-10-23
Cast: John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Ray Stevenson

PG-13
1h 48m
2009

38%

age 12+

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Welcome to the Cirque Du Freak, a traveling sideshow filled with magical creatures, misunderstood freaks, and the mysterious vampire, Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly). Drawn to the dark, unpredictable world of the Cirque, 16-year-old Darren (Chris Massoglia) decides to trade in his ordinary life for a chance to become an immortal vampire. As Darren explores his newfound powers and faces unexpected enemies, he’ll find that his existence as a member of the undead is filled with more challenges, suspense and fun than he ever thought possible. Based on the best-selling book series and co-starring Salma Hayek, Ken Watanabe, and Willem Dafoe, it’s a fast-paced, suspenseful journey critics call, “Imaginative!” (Peter Hall, Cinematical.com)

Director:

Paul Weitz

Producer:

Lauren Shuler Donner, Paul Weitz, Ewan Leslie, Andrew Miano

Writer:

Paul Weitz, Brian Helgeland

Cast:

John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Ray Stevenson, Patrick Fugit, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek, Orlando Jones, Frankie Faison, Jane Krakowski

Rotten Tomatoes® Score

TOMATOMETER®

38%

Critics Consensus: This overstuffed, scattershot vampire flick suffers from poor characterization and an unwieldy mix of scares and chuckles.

Reviews

Gone With The Twins

Mike Massie

Since it's the first piece of a complex and lengthy series, more questions than answers are presented.

November 28, 2020

FULL REVIEW

TheIndependentCritic.com

Richard Propes

As the vampire Larten Crespley, Reilly actually brings out both his sincere and sarcastic sides.

September 5, 2020

FULL REVIEW

Bowling Green Daily News

Micheal Compton

An adequate mood setter for the season -- a pretty neat concept that may be slightly overambitious, but still entertaining fluff.

May 11, 2019

FULL REVIEW

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Dennis Schwartz

Just another dumb vampire flick.

teenybopper fiction brought to life on the big screen, realized as the first installment in a potential franchise that fails to offer reasons why mainstream audiences will want to follow it any further.

June 22, 2017

FULL REVIEW

Common Sense Media

age 12+

Common Sense Says

Teen vampire flick is scarier, edgier than the book series.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that amped-up violence and language make The Vampire's Assistant movie too mature for younger tween fans of the Cirque du Freak books it's based on. There are several disturbing scenes of vampires stabbing, punching, kicking, and otherwise wiping the floor with each other (although none of it gets particularly gory), along with potentially disturbing images of circus "freaks" and fairly regular use of words like "s--t," "a--hole," and the like. Although the sexuality is on the mild side (especially for a vampire tale), there are a few kisses and a brief glimpse of the protagonist about to suck blood from a willing love interest.