Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vampire comedy has cute moments but lacks bite.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Vamps
What's the Story?
Goody (Alicia Silverstone) is a vampire who was turned in the 19th century by Cisserus (Sigourney Weaver), a "maker" who also transformed Stacy (Krysten Ritter) in 1992. After two decades together, Goody and Stacy -- who only consume animal blood -- live in Manhattan, where they work and go out all night and sleep all day. Things change when Stacy meets Joey Van Helsing (Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey) and sparks fly, despite his father's (Wallace Shawn) status as a vampire hunter. Goody also bumps into her '60s love, former activist Danny (Richard Lewis). Soon Goody and Stacy end up wondering whether they'd be better off ridding themselves of their maker and becoming their "true age."
Is It Any Good?
Anyone who loved the immensely quotable, zeitgeist-capturing 1995 comedy Clueless will be excited to see Silverstone and director Amy Heckerling reteam. But the allure of the reunion wanes when it's obvious that while VAMPS might be cute and offer the occasional laugh, it's also amateurish and forgettable.
Despite the finely assembled cast, there's just not much to this comedy besides being a vehicle for nostalgia and reminding viewers how aging can be a bitter process. Heckerling does amusingly poke fun at the way everyone is so techno-dependent now (a lounge singer even checks her smartphone during her performance), but everything from the story to the special effects are thin and silly.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of vampire tales. How is Vamps different than others? Will it appeal to teens?
What does Goody observe about the differences between current times and years gone by? Why is she so critical about the ubiquity of phones, gadgets, and social media? Do you agree?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 2, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : November 13, 2012
- Cast : Alicia Silverstone , Krysten Ritter , Sigourney Weaver
- Director : Amy Heckerling
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violent images, some drug material, sexual content and language
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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