Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ridiculous, bloody blending of history and violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say the movie features an intriguing plot that intertwines historical elements with vampire lore, appealing particularly to older teens and adults, though it suffers from excessive violence that some viewers found overwhelming. While many appreciated the unique premise and emotional depth, others criticized the portrayal of characters and pacing, resulting in a mixed reception overall.
- unique premise
- excessive violence
- emotional depth
- mixed reception
- older teens appropriate
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As a boy, Abraham Lincoln helplessly witnesses his mother's death at the hands of a vampire. When he becomes a man (Benjamin Walker), Abe contemplates his revenge. Then stranger Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper) offers to teach him how to fight and kill the evil creatures. In Springfield, Abe does his hunting at night, in between studying the law, working at a general store, and courting Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). He becomes interested in politics, which leads to his being elected president years later. But when vampires from the South begin to turn the Civil War into a bloody massacre, Abe must take up his old hunting ways once again.
Is It Any Good?
Some of this film's action sequences are big and impressive, but without any emotional involvement, they're as dead as a coffin nail. Director Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch, Day Watch, Wanted) usually makes hyperkinetic movies that have a few explosive scenes but are ultimately empty. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER is doubly so, since it also squanders a great hero and a potentially pleasingly silly idea. The movie takes the idea of Abraham Lincoln fighting vampires seriously and also doesn't seem to wonder about ridiculous concepts such as Southern vampires supporting slavery.
After simply ignoring everything potentially funny and lively, Abraham Lincoln grinds down on its characters, turning them into empty vessels upon which to hang the action sequences. One shot of bearded, stovepipe-hatted Lincoln marching toward the camera in slow motion like a grindhouse hero shows just what Bekmambetov thinks of him.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter's violence. Is it scary? Does it create tension? How necessary is it to the story?
What historical liberties does the movie take? How creative do you think the storytellers were in taking real events and fitting them to the story? Which scenes were based on real events?
Is the movie's Lincoln a positive role model? What worthwhile qualities does he have? What less admirable qualities does the movie give him?
Is the movie silly or serious, or both? If you've read the book, how does the movie compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 22, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : October 23, 2012
- Cast : Benjamin Walker , Dominic Cooper , Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- Director : Timur Bekmambetov
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Book Characters , Fantasy
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence throughout and brief sexuality
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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