Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

12A Certificate

1hr 48mins

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant Trailer
play trailer and clips

Starring: Ray Stevenson, Josh Hutcherson, Ken Watanabe, Patrick Fugit, Jessica Carlson, Salma Hayek, John C Reilly, Michael Serveris, Chris Massoglia

Directed by: Paul Weitz

The plot: High achieving teenager Darren (Chris Massoglia) has devoted most of his time to his schoolwork, scoring straight As to the delight of his parents (Don McManus, Colleen Camp). His best friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) is far less dedicated to academic excellence and suggests the two boys bunk off school for the day. While walking around town, they learn about a visiting freak show and both youngsters slip out late at night to attend the circus run by the aptly named Mr Tall (Ken Watanabe). Loner Steve recognises one of the acts, Larten Crepsley (John C Reilly), as a vampire and begs to be bitten so he can become a bloodsucker too. Larten refuses, in part because Steve has bad blood. When Steve is badly injured from a spider bite, Darren agrees to become a vampire's apprentice in exchange for saving his best friend's life. He fakes his own death then moves to the freak's compound where he shares a tent with Evra The Snake Boy (Patrick Fugit) and falls under the spell of money girl Rebecca (Jessica Carlson). Little does Darren know that Mr Tiny (Michael Cerveris) and his underling Murlaugh (Ray Stevenson) have Steve under the spell and they intend to manipulate him to spark a bloody conflict between rival vampire clans.

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Orange movie-goers' reactions


  • " A tremendous steaming pile of a film. Dont bother!" — Chris, 14, Durham
  • " Im goin 2 watch it on my b-day coz i thought the books were fab hope the film is as good as it looks on the trailor!! :p" — Layla, 13, Fareham
  • " I loved it! Josh Hutcherson is a defo hottie! Go see it!" — LoLo, 14
  • " i thought that the book was better, i enjoyed the film. the actors+actresses suited the characters." — Zo?15, Yelverton
  • " I like the books, therefore the film was very disappointing. Well films are never as good as the books they're based on, but this film was outright boring." — Storm, 17, Belfast
  • " Do not go to this movie if you are expecting the book to come to life because to be frank this movie is a weak attempt at trying to recreate the book which is way better" — Munster muncher, 333, Kingswimford
  • " Think of this... Then think of twilight... :D yes that what I thought. x" — Amy, 16, Cardiff
  • " I've just got home from seeing it and as a big fan of the books im very disappointed by the movie.The series are my favorite books ever but the film is almst unbearable :(" — Connor, 15, Coventry
  • " I love darren shan as an author but i think this will be one of the scenarios where the book is better than the movie" — Ali, 12
  • " I love the books i hope they dont miss some bits out from the books tho " — Lewis, 16, Chesterfield
  • " The books are amazing i hope they havn't ruind the movie but it looks awesome" — Ben, 15, Winsford
  • " I'm really into vampire's right now (hint,hint, twilight) and this looks really good. x" — Haley, 17, Essex
  • " The books are quite cool! I hope they are just as good" — Lorraiine, 14, London
  • " Looks okay, aye don't think it will be amazing or anything. " — Emma, 16, London
  • " Luuuv the books- can't wait to see the film :-D x" — Beth, 14, Oldham
  • " Saw trailer today might watch this" — Kat, 26, Chesterfield


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what the others say

Channel 4

"A bewilderingly unfocussed mash-up of teen romance, Harry Potter-esque fantasy, coming-of-age drama and be-true-to-yourself message-mongering which drifts in several directions at once without arriving anywhere new."

Guardian Online

"Tod Browning's Freaks were the real thing. These are strictly CGI and the teen-vamp pose is beginning to pall."

The Mirror

"In adapting three books, the filmmakers try to pack too much into the film. Director Paul Weitz never really gets the right balance between laughs and thrills."

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