Vampire in Brooklyn Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Caribbean vampire with a questionable wig flies to Brooklyn to find a wife who’s a cop and also a vampire, but she doesn’t know it, leading to wacky hijinks and surprisingly little bloodshed.

🍿 Vampire in Brooklyn: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in Brooklyn

The film opens with a ghost ship crashing into the Brooklyn docks, its crew mysteriously dead. Maximillian (Eddie Murphy), a Caribbean vampire and the last of his kind, arrives seeking Rita Veder (Angela Bassett), a police detective unaware she is a half-vampire. He needs her to continue his bloodline.

Courting Rita

Maximillian begins to woo Rita, using his charm and powers. He transforms Julius (Kadeem Hardison), a local hustler, into his ghoul servant. Meanwhile, Rita’s partner, Justice (Allen Payne), harbors feelings for her and grows suspicious of Maximillian’s intentions. Rita experiences strange dreams and growing powers, hinting at her true nature.

Rita’s Transformation

As Maximillian gets closer to Rita, she begins to embrace her vampire heritage. She experiences vivid nightmares and struggles to reconcile her human life with her emerging bloodlust. Justice investigates the strange occurrences and uncovers the truth about Rita’s lineage and Maximillian’s sinister plans.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maximillian (Eddie Murphy): A Caribbean vampire who travels to Brooklyn to find a mate and continue his lineage.
• Rita Veder (Angela Bassett): A Brooklyn police detective who is unknowingly half-vampire and the target of Maximillian’s quest.
• Justice (Allen Payne): Rita’s police partner who has romantic feelings for her and becomes suspicious of Maximillian.
• Julius Jones (Kadeem Hardison): A hapless individual turned into Maximillian’s ghoul, providing comic relief and assistance.
• Silas (John Witherspoon): Julius’s uncle who unwittingly gets involved in the vampire’s schemes.
• Dr. Zeko (Zakes Mokae): The owner of a nightclub, possessing valuable information on vampires.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Maximillian: “Evil is good and ass is good, and if you find you a piece of evil ass, WOO!” – Maximillian uses this as a mantra, revealing his crude and somewhat humorous take on morality and desire.
• Silas: “Look at this! Now you the fugitive!” – Silas says this to Julius after Julius’s arm falls off.
• Maximillian: “I would love to have you for dinner.” – A classic vampire line, delivered with seductive intent to Rita, hinting at his true nature and desires.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,751,736
• Worldwide Gross: $19,751,736

💥 Vampire in Brooklyn Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I gotta admit, I went into this movie expecting a total train wreck, and while it’s definitely flawed, I found myself oddly entertained. The opening scene with the ghost ship is genuinely creepy! Eddie Murphy’s accent is… something, but Kadeem Hardison and John Witherspoon are hilarious as his sidekicks. It’s not high art, but it’s a fun, goofy watch if you don’t take it too seriously. I think it’s one of those movies you appreciate more for its camp value than its actual quality.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Eddie Murphy comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in horror-comedy blends”
  • “Those who appreciate 90s supernatural films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gore”
  • “Violence”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A tonal mishmash that never quite finds its footing, ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’ suffers from inconsistent humor and a lack of genuine scares. Murphy’s performance is uneven, and Craven’s direction feels uninspired.
• The New York Times: “While it has moments of genuine creativity, the film struggles to balance its comedic and horror elements, resulting in a disjointed experience. Bassett’s strong performance is a highlight, but it’s not enough to save the overall product.
• RogerEbert.com: “Ebert noted that while it begins promisingly, the film devolves into a predictable and unfunny mess. He also felt the movie didn’t do much for either Wes Craven or Eddie Murphy’s careers.

Audience Reactions

Some people loved the comedic performances of Kadeem Hardison and John Witherspoon, and found themselves laughing out loud.: The supporting cast’s comedic timing and the blend of horror and comedy were generally praised as enjoyable.

Some audience members appreciated the film’s attempt to blend horror and comedy, finding it a unique and entertaining experience.: Many viewers enjoyed the film as a light-hearted and fun watch, despite its flaws.

Overall Consensus: Despite having some memorable moments and a talented cast, ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’ is generally considered a flawed and uneven film that fails to fully deliver on either its comedic or horror potential. However, some find it to be an enjoyable, campy experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Angela Bassett’s stunt double, Sonja Davis, tragically died on set during a stunt involving a fall from a building.”
• “Eddie Murphy has stated that he disliked wearing the wig for the Maximillian character, and felt it negatively impacted his performance.”
• “Wes Craven directed this film as a departure from his more serious horror projects, aiming for a blend of horror and comedy.”
• “The film’s poor reception led to both Eddie Murphy and Wes Craven experiencing career slumps, though both would later rebound with successful projects.”

🖥️ How to Watch Vampire in Brooklyn?

Currently, ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’ is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as options may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Vampire in Brooklyn, you might like these similar films:

• Blacula (1972): Another blaxploitation horror film featuring a black vampire, sharing similar themes and cultural context.
• Fright Night (1985): Combines horror and comedy with a modern setting, offering a similar tone despite the different subject matter.
• From Dusk Till Dawn (1996): Released around the same time, this movie similarly blends horror with action and dark humor.
• What We Do in the Shadows (2014): A more recent horror-comedy that balances humor with vampire lore, offering a fresh and comedic take on the genre.

🛒 Vampire in Brooklyn Related Products

• Vampire in Brooklyn [Blu-ray]: Own the cult classic on Blu-ray, featuring improved picture and sound quality for an enhanced viewing experience.
• Vampire Costume Fangs: Complete your Vampire look for cosplay or Halloween.
• Vampire T-Shirt: Show off your love for the iconic movie with this stylish tee.
• Nosferatu [Blu-ray]: Own the classic vampire movie that inspired Vampire In Brooklyn on Blu-ray, featuring improved picture and sound quality for an enhanced viewing experience.

🎧 Soundtrack

Vampire in Brooklyn features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Whatta Man” – performed by Salt-N-Pepa
• “I’m the One” – performed by Montell Jordan

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What Happened In VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN??!! (1995) PRIMM’S HOOD CINEMA

Ever wonder if ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’ holds up? Primm’s Hood Cinema breaks it down, giving you a no-holds-barred take on this Eddie Murphy flick. Honestly, it’s a surprisingly insightful watch!

Why Eddie Murphy’s ‘Vampire In Brooklyn’ Was Sued – Comedic Crime Files

Did you know someone tragically died on the set of ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’? This video explores the lawsuit that followed, revealing a dark side to the movie’s production. It’s a sobering but important story.

Eddie Murphy talks to Joe Leydon about “Vampire in Brooklyn”

Want to hear Eddie Murphy’s thoughts on ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’ straight from the source? This vintage interview gives you his perspective from back in ’95! You’ll be surprised by what he says.

Movie Scenes That Actually Killed Stunt Actors

Ever wonder how dangerous filmmaking can be? This video reveals a tragic stunt accident during the filming of ‘Vampire in Brooklyn.’ It definitely puts a new perspective on the movie.

✨ Rate