Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- comic
- macabre
- energetic
- teen movie night
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an overstuffed, scattershot vampire fantasy whose uneven characterization and awkward mixture of scares and humor weakened its appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Darren exchanges his normal middle-class life for service under vampire Larten Crepsley after seeking an antidote for Steve.
The central community is a traveling freak show populated by unusual performers, creatures, and supernatural outsiders.
Darren and Steve begin as best friends but are separated by their competing relationships with vampire power and transformation.
Darren's identity as an excellent student and favored son collapses after the spider bite and his bargain with Larten.
Films like Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, and why
The Spiderwick Chronicles
shares teen fantasy adventure, supernatural coming-of-age themes, and a young protagonist drawn into a hidden magical world
Twilight
shares young adult vampire mythology, adolescent friendship conflict, and accessible supernatural romance-free thrills
The Golden Compass
shares eccentric fantasy creatures, colorful production design, and a teenager navigating a dangerous alternate community
The Addams Family
shares comic supernatural adventure, outsider identity themes, and a stylized ensemble of strange creatures
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul Weitz
- Release Date
- 2009-10-23
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (1194)
Cast
- Chris Massoglia
- John C. Reilly
- Josh Hutcherson
- Patrick Fugit
- Salma Hayek Pinault
- Jessica Carlson
- Michael Cerveris
- Ray Stevenson
- Morgan Saylor
- Don McManus
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant about?
- A sheltered teenager becomes a half-vampire assistant after a deadly spider encounter pulls him into a bizarre circus society and a dangerous supernatural rivalry.
- What is Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant as mild.
- What did critics think of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant?
- Critics broadly found the film an overstuffed, scattershot vampire fantasy whose uneven characterization and awkward mixture of scares and humor weakened its appeal.
- Which films are like Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant?
- Films with a similar feel include The Spiderwick Chronicles, Twilight, The Golden Compass, and The Addams Family.
- How long is Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant?
- Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant?
- In United States, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
