Van Helsing

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Van Helsing Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

This is one vampire movie with bite.

PG-13 2004 132 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 10 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 39 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie has non-stop and intense action, with characters in constant extreme peril. There are gross and violent images and many characters are killed. There are a lot of jump-out-at-you surprises and grotesque creatures. Characters use brief mild bad words. There are brief mild sexual references and a non-explicit sexual situation.

Community Reviews

Barbaratyl
Barbaratyl Adult
August 22, 2019
age 15+

Awesome

I watch van helsing every time I see it on the guide. I think that is the most entertaining movie I have watched in years. Call me "old school" but I grew up watching vampire movies (Bela Lugosi), ware wolf movies, Frankenstein all seperately. But for this movie to contain all of my favorite oldies in one package is the best movie ever made. It's also a love story and the ending really touches my heart. I need to own a copy of this to watch whenever I want to see action and adventure. Thus is such a well put together film!!!! My hat off to this film, the cast-ans I love, love, love Hugh Jackman in this movie. Kate Beckensale is the best. All of the characters in this movie could not been put together better in anything else. This movie is awesome. I am a baby boomer, so all my old stuff in one gets 4 thumbs up!!!! Van Helsing is "my" movie!! If there's a 10 star rating, this movie gets 11. Thank you to the writer and producer of Van Helsing#
positivenil
positivenil Adult
September 5, 2018
age 18+

best of the best

one of the greatest thrilling movie i have ever scene.
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

VAN HELSING starts with a bang, even the movie studio's logo a part of a glorious black-and-white intro that wonderfully evokes James Whale's iconic scene of Viktor Frankenstein screaming "It's ALIVE!" as the monster created from pieces of seven men is shocked into life and torch-bearing villagers are getting closer to the castle door. But then Dracula (Richard Roxburgh), who can regenerate when he is wounded, shows up to say, "It's a pity your moment of triumph is being spoiled over a little thing like grave robbery," and things take a surprising turn. A year later, a guy in the coolest fedora since Indiana Jones is fighting a monster. It is Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman), a man who knows that he is here to fight evil, but is not sure why. He seems to remember fighting the Romans at Masada (that would be in about the year 72) but can't remember the details of his past. When asked whether he is a holy man or a murderer, he says, "A bit of both." All he ever needs to know is "What are we dealing with and how do I kill it?"

Is It Any Good?

This is one vampire movie with bite. It's a deliciously entertaining thrill ride that pleasurably tweaks new thrills from old stories. Thankfully, little time is wasted on exposition and explanations. Van Helsing is pretty much non-stop action, more thrill ride or video game than story. And that's fine with me. The production design is fabulously entertaining and imaginative. The monsters are all re-imagined with a great deal of flair, particularly Frankenstein's creation, one of the best of his many screen portrayals. The CGI effects are exceptionally well done, subtle details add a great deal of depth and atmosphere, and there are many intricate contraptions and a lot of slimy, dripping gloop.

Some good dialogue is delivered with a lot of panache. The movie takes itself seriously enough to have us care about the outcome but has enough of a sense of humor to provide Van Helsing with a cheery sidekick with a knack for weapons technology. Jackman has all that it takes to be both leading man and action hero. Kate Beckinsale is fine as Anna, the last in the line of her family, which for generations has been dedicated to wiping out the vampires. But in a movie like this, what matters is the bad guys, and Roxburgh is just right as Dracula, sinuous and seductive, a little effete, a little theatrical, and deliciously bloodthirsty.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the original sources and enduring appeal of characters like Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the Wolfman. They could talk about the villagers' decision that since the vampires killed only one or two people a month, they should not try to stop them. They might want to talk about the ending, whether it was a surprise and how they feel about it.

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate