Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lifeless 1990s vampire comedy has language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Vampire in Brooklyn
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN, Caribbean vampire Maximillian (Eddie Murphy) comes to Brooklyn, New York, in search of a woman -- police officer Rita (Angela Bassett) -- who doesn't yet know she's half-vampire. As he leaves dead bodies all over the city, she is assigned the case of finding the killer, all the while gradually falling for the charms of this mysterious stranger.
Is It Any Good?
A great soundtrack -- from Salt-N-Pepa to Stevie Wonder -- and moments of gross-out humor just about keep this movie trickling along. Vampire in Brooklyn has some funny moments, but fans will likely have expected more from a collaboration between Murphy and Wes Craven, especially given it was released just a year before Craven's post-modern hit Scream -- full of all the cleverness and nuance that seems to have passed this by. While this offering was clearly designed as a Murphy vehicle, most of the funniest moments come from co-star Kadeem Hardison as Julius, his energy never wavering as his body falls apart around him. Bassett gives a performance that deserved a better movie, while Allen Payne isn't offered much to work with as the generic "nice guy," though he's a likable one, for sure. Murphy fans will enjoy some familiar territory, such as him taking on the form of a preacher and getting a confused congregation to chant, "evil is good, ass is good," but it all feels like well-trodden territory that could do with an injection of new blood.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the moments of horror and violence in Vampire in Brooklyn. Did you still find the movie scary in places, even though it's mostly played for laughs? Can you think of other films that combine horror and comedy? How do they compare? Why do you think it's a combination that people enjoy?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
The majority of the cast are Black. Why is it important to see this kind of representation on-screen, particularly in a genre that has a reputation for killing off Black characters first?
Discuss the portrayal of women in the movie. Can you think of moments of sexism? How might the film differ in this context if it was made today?
Eddie Murphy co-wrote and produced the movie as well as acting in the lead role. Can you think of other films where the lead actor has also had a prominent role in the filmmaking? How do they compare and what are some of the potential pros and cons?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 27, 1995
- On DVD or streaming : September 25, 2001
- Cast : Eddie Murphy , Angela Bassett , Kadeem Hardison
- Director : Wes Craven
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong language and vampire violence
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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