some laugage but other wise just like pirates of carribean may be scary for 9 and younger
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Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
(2009, Rated PG-13, Thriller, Starring Salma Hayek, John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Teen vampire flick is scarier, edgier than the book series.
Themes in this movie include: friendship, loss, peer pressure, revenge
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–14
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
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.
Read our full review by Sandie Angulo Chen
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how this vampire thriller differs from other vampire-themed movies and shows. How are the vampires depicted? Why are vampires so popular?
- Why do you think the movie amped up the level of language and violence compared to the books? Can you think of other movies that are "heavier" than the books they're based on?
- How are Darren and Steve examples of "foils"? What kind of person do they each represent? Kids: Name other famous literary foils (here's one to start you off: Twilight's Edward and Jacob).
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Cirque du freak great for 10+
- I rate this title off for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
The Movie Man on CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant could be summed up into one word: Terrible. The story is about a teenager named Darren who has a perfect life that anyone would want. Loving parents. Sweet sister. Great friends. Good grades. Good future. The only thing is he doesn't want it. He hates that everything is just lined up for him. One night Daren and his trouble making friend Steven sneak out late at night to go to a freak show. There Steven, who is obsessed with Vampires, finds one performing and sneaks backstage and asks if he could become one. When he rejects him because he has bad blood Steven threatens him that one day he will kill him. While that's going on Darren also sneaks backstage to take a look at the Vampire's poisonous spider which he steals. Later Darren by accidentally lets the spider out and it bites Steven and he is put in a coma in the hospital. That night Darren goes back to the place where the freak show took place and asks the vampire if there is an antidote that will cure Steven. The vampire says he will give him the antidote if Darren becomes his assistant and half a vampire. Darren agrees to do it. Steven gets well and Darren helps the vampire. Soon Darren has trouble with the vampire part of him. He starts doing weird things like thinking about biting his sister and eating raw meat. He decides he can't live like this anymore and he becomes a full vampire. To do that he has to fake kill himself. Darren then joins the Cirque which is a group of freaks with weird talents and some of them are disturbing. A little later Steven finds out about this and turns into an evil vampire. What's terrible about this movie is that towards the end the two best friends start fighting but not just that but the movie doesn't even finish the fight. It just ends. What parents should be alert about is that this movie has non-stop cursing. The longest gap between curses is probably four minutes. There is no message except appreciate what you have. If you read the books get ready for a big disappointment. If you don't want to waist your money on a movie don't see this movie but if you want to see it make sure you are twelve or up but be prepared for a failure.
- I rate this title off for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
The Movie Man on CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant could be summed up into one word: Terrible. The story is about a teenager named Darren who has a perfect life that anyone would want. Loving parents. Sweet sister. Great friends. Good grades. Good future. The only thing is he doesn't want it. He hates that everything is just lined up for him. One night Daren and his trouble making friend Steven sneak out late at night to go to a freak show. There Steven, who is obsessed with Vampires, finds one performing and sneaks backstage and asks if he could become one. When he rejects him because he has bad blood Steven threatens him that one day he will kill him. While that's going on Darren also sneaks backstage to take a look at the Vampire's poisonous spider which he steals. Later Darren by accidentally lets the spider out and it bites Steven and he is put in a coma in the hospital. That night Darren goes back to the place where the freak show took place and asks the vampire if there is an antidote that will cure Steven. The vampire says he will give him the antidote if Darren becomes his assistant and half a vampire. Darren agrees to do it. Steven gets well and Darren helps the vampire. Soon Darren has trouble with the vampire part of him. He starts doing weird things like thinking about biting his sister and eating raw meat. He decides he can't live like this anymore and he becomes a full vampire. To do that he has to fake kill himself. Darren then joins the Cirque which is a group of freaks with weird talents and some of them are disturbing. A little later Steven finds out about this and turns into an evil vampire. What's terrible about this movie is that towards the end the two best friends start fighting but not just that but the movie doesn't even finish the fight. It just ends. What parents should be alert about is that this movie has non-stop cursing. The longest gap between curses is probably four minutes. There is no message except appreciate what you have. If you read the books get ready for a big disappointment. If you don't want to waist your money on a movie don't see this movie but if you want to see it make sure you are twelve or up but be prepared for a failure.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
The Movie Man on CIRQUE DU FREAK
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
THIS MOVIE IS AWESOME
I didn't know that ths movie would be so great, I wish they wouldn't of ended the movie like that.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Awsome!!!
I read the whole seris of books so i think this is going to be great!!
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
read the book 2!
movie was good not exactly according to the book but its still enjoyable if you didn't read it. If you are left unsatisfied READ THE BOOKS. The movie itself had good messages. Darren is a strong kid who trys his best to do what is right
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give itMy concerns are:
Stupid and pathetic
I've never read the book(but i bet it's better) but i just wasn't expecting this movie to be a total rip off.It copied off of Harry Potter(bearded woman can see future and talks in weird creppy voice;Harry Potter Prisoner of Askaban one teacher can see future and talks in woeird voice to Harry once)and Lord of the Rings(little creatures in this movie;probably something like them in Lord of the Rings).The movie was really not scary and had almost no bloodshed.Little kids might get creeped out during the fight sceens but either way it was real pathetic.I bet anyone who saw the movie was waiting at the end for something to happen between Darren and Rebecca but they just kissed for a sec then they left.Two thumbs down.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
good for teens who love movies with vampires in them:]
its a really good movie and I love it!!
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
i luv this movie its not that bad lots of people underestimate what 12-14 yearolds can handle
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
I thought this movie was great even though the reviews were not great 5/5
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Needs assistance to be more freaky fun.
This movie doesn't add much to the vampire genre.... It's not gory or sensual enough to appeal to teens, but a bit too scary/mature for younger kids. That leaves a pretty narrow demographic of tweens / fans of the book. For their parents, Reilly is great, and there's some humor; but really, no bite! See two moms review it together on YouTube: "Gab and guest review Cirque du Freak"!
- I rate this title iffy for age 3 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
g
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
You would love it . Its a teen thriller
I love the book i have read it and it was very addicting. At first i hate reading the book cause it was thick thent i began loving once i get attached to the story . I have to say i have a very positive thinking about the movie.and i think the movie would be awsome
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Ratings at a Glance
| 60% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 40% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 40% | of parents say it's too violent |
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