Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Goofy take on vampire story is cheesy, not scary.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
My Stepbrother Is a Vampire!?!
What's the Story?
MY STEPBROTHER IS A VAMPIRE!?! Is a comic take on the vampire story. Years after the death of Nancy's father, her therapist mother finally meets a nice man. Soon after, they marry, and he and his handsome teenage son, Vic, move into Nancy's house. As a teenage writer of occult fiction, Nancy immediately decides that Vic is a vampire set on attacking her and all her friends. She picks up vampire-killing supplies at the local occult shop and stocks her room with garlic, stakes, crucifixes, and daggers (for lopping the weakened vampire's head off at the right moment).
Is It Any Good?
The opening action is narrated by a sarcastic cat, and that interesting device showcases the script at its most clever; things go downhill from there. Director David DeCoteau, also known for such works as 90210 Shark Attack and Bigfoot vs. D.B. Cooper, trained under director/producer Roger Corman (Sharktopus vs. Whalewolf), king of the cheap and terrible horror/slasher flicks, and the sets, costumes, and performances look about as low-budget as it gets. Male model Jud Birza, winner of the 2010 Survivor series, gets away with a one-note performance -- his job is to be a chick magnet, which he accomplishes handily by simply standing there in front of the camera. Not the best, but could be silly fun for a sleepover party.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way vampires have become romantic figures in popular culture. Does Vic embody that romance, or does he just seem like a regular, albeit polite and handsome, guy?
Nancy is convinced Vic is a vampire. Why do you think she comes to that conclusion? Do plot points early in the movie support her suspicions?
Miss Fortune's occult shop offers ways to kill vampires, including holy water, stakes, and daggers. Does the way the movie presents this information make it scary or comic?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 15, 2013
- Cast : Jud Birza , Shae Landers , Tracy Nelson , William McNamara
- Director : David DeCoteau
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Rapid Heart Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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