Vampires Suck (2010) Movie Review: A Parody that Falls Short
“Vampires Suck,” directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, was released in 2010 as a parody film targeting the popular “Twilight” saga. With its sights set on spoofing the vampire romance craze, the movie attempts to deliver laughs through exaggerated and irreverent humor. However, despite its potential, “Vampires Suck” struggles to achieve the cleverness and wit that successful parodies require.
Plot Overview
The film follows Becca Crane (Jenn Proske), a moody and awkward teenager who moves to the small town of Sporks to live with her father, Sheriff Frank Crane (Diedrich Bader). She soon finds herself torn between two supernatural love interests: the brooding vampire Edward Sullen (Matt Lanter) and the hunky werewolf Jacob White (Chris Riggi). As Becca navigates high school life and her romantic dilemmas, she becomes embroiled in the bizarre and comedic antics of the supernatural world around her.
The plot closely mirrors that of the “Twilight” saga, with key scenes and characters being exaggerated for comedic effect. The film includes a mix of slapstick humor, pop culture references, and absurd situations, all aimed at lampooning the tropes and clichés of vampire romance stories.
Character Dynamics and Performances
Jenn Proske stands out as Becca Crane, delivering a performance that captures the mannerisms and expressions of Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan with uncanny accuracy. Proske’s commitment to the role adds a layer of authenticity to the parody, making her performance one of the film’s few highlights. Matt Lanter’s portrayal of Edward Sullen is equally committed, though the character’s exaggerated brooding becomes repetitive.
Chris Riggi as Jacob White provides some physical comedy, though his character is largely one-dimensional, relying on shirtless scenes and exaggerated werewolf transformations for laughs. Diedrich Bader as Sheriff Frank Crane offers some humorous moments as Becca’s clueless father, though his character’s impact is limited by the film’s scattered narrative.
Visual Style and Production Design
“Vampires Suck” mimics the visual style of the “Twilight” films, with moody lighting, foggy settings, and dramatic camera angles. The production design effectively recreates the iconic locations and scenes from the original movies, adding a layer of familiarity for fans of the “Twilight” saga. However, the film’s low budget is evident in some of the special effects and set pieces, which lack the polish of the movies it parodies.
Humor and Satire
As a parody, “Vampires Suck” relies heavily on slapstick humor, sight gags, and pop culture references. While some jokes land, many others fall flat, either due to their predictability or their reliance on crude and lowbrow humor. The film’s attempts at satire often lack the sharpness and insight needed to elevate it beyond mere imitation.
One of the main issues with “Vampires Suck” is its over-reliance on the source material. While parody inherently involves mimicry, the film often fails to add a fresh or clever twist to the scenes it recreates. Instead, it resorts to exaggerated physical comedy and superficial mockery, missing opportunities for more nuanced and incisive humor.
Reception and Legacy
“Vampires Suck” received predominantly negative reviews from critics and audiences. Many criticized its lack of originality, weak humor, and repetitive gags. The film’s reliance on pop culture references, which quickly became dated, further limited its appeal. Despite the negative reception, “Vampires Suck” found some success at the box office, likely due to the popularity of the “Twilight” saga at the time.
Over the years, “Vampires Suck” has become an example of the challenges of creating effective parody films. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of clever writing, timing, and originality in comedic storytelling.
Streaming and Purchase Options in America
For those interested in watching “Vampires Suck,” the film is available on various streaming platforms. As of 2024, you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. It is also available for rental or purchase on platforms like Google Play Movies, YouTube, and iTunes. These options provide flexibility for viewers to choose the most convenient way to watch the film, whether through a subscription service or a one-time rental/purchase.
Conclusion
“Vampires Suck” (2010) is a parody film that attempts to capitalize on the popularity of the “Twilight” saga but falls short in its execution. While it offers a few moments of humor and some committed performances, the film’s reliance on crude jokes and predictable gags undermines its potential. For viewers looking for a light-hearted spoof of vampire romance stories, “Vampires Suck” may provide some amusement. However, those seeking a clever and well-crafted parody may find themselves disappointed.
Despite its flaws, “Vampires Suck” serves as a reminder of the challenges involved in creating effective comedy and the importance of wit and originality in parody films. Whether you’re a fan of the “Twilight” saga or simply curious about its comedic counterpart, this film offers a glimpse into the world of supernatural romance through a decidedly humorous lens.
