Once Bitten Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A desperate vampire lady needs to find a virgin before Halloween so she doesn’t get old, and Jim Carrey’s terrible pick-up skills somehow make him the perfect victim.

🍿 Once Bitten: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Frustration and a Hollywood Night Out

Mark Kendall, a high school student, is frustrated by his girlfriend Robin’s reluctance to have sex. His friends, Russ and Jamie, convince him to go to a Hollywood bar in hopes of finding someone. This sets the stage for Mark’s fateful encounter with the Countess.

The Countess’s Hunger

The Countess, a centuries-old vampire, needs to feed on a virgin three times before Halloween to maintain her youth. Finding virgins in modern Los Angeles proves to be difficult. She quickly identifies Mark as a potential target at the bar.

The First and Second Bites

The Countess lures Mark back to her mansion and drinks his blood, leaving him confused and disoriented. She later encounters him again, taking a second drink. Mark begins to exhibit strange behavior, unaware of his impending vampiric transformation. His friends and girlfriend start to notice the changes.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Countess (Lauren Hutton): A 400-year-old vampire who needs virgin blood to maintain her youth and beauty.
• Mark Kendall (Jim Carrey): A frustrated virgin teenager who becomes the Countess’s target.
• Robin Pierce (Karen Kopins): Mark’s girlfriend who is reluctant to have sex and eventually fights for him.
• Sebastian (Cleavon Little): The Countess’s flamboyant and resourceful servant who aids in her quest.
• Jamie (Thomas Ballatore): One of Mark’s goofy friends who encourages his pursuit of sex.
• Russ (Skip Lackey): Another of Mark’s goofy friends who joins in his quest to lose his virginity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mark: “I don’t want to be a vampire! I’m a day person!” – Mark expresses his reluctance about becoming a vampire, emphasizing his preference for daytime activities.
• Robin: “I’m the owner of the pants you’ve been trying to get into for the past four years.” – Robin playfully asserts her control in their relationship, referencing Mark’s long-standing desire for intimacy.
• Sebastian: “Oh, Countess, must you always have the virgin?” – Sebastian, the flamboyant butler, sarcastically questions the Countess’s specific dietary requirements.
• Mark: “I’m not wearing a costume!” – Mark, oblivious to his vampiric transformation, insists he’s not in costume at a Halloween party despite his vampire-like appearance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,200,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $10,000,000

💥 Once Bitten Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Once Bitten’ is pure 80s cheese, but I have a soft spot for it. Seeing a young Jim Carrey trying to navigate vampire seduction is hilarious. The dance scene alone is worth the price of admission. It’s not high art, but it’s a fun, nostalgic trip.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s comedy movies”
  • “Viewers interested in early Jim Carrey films”
  • “People who enjoy lighthearted vampire stories”
  • “Those looking for a nostalgic trip back to the 80s”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Homophobic jokes and slurs present as stereotypes of the era”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb User Review: “This is a pretty bad 80’s teen sex comedy with a vampire slant. It’s main attraction is an early appearance by Jim Carrey before he became a big star. The filmmakers seem unwilling to take advantage of his comic talents. Lauren Hutton is a looker, but her part is pretty weak here.
• IMDb User Review: “The film tries to be a gentle horror comedy but in my opinion it falls pretty short on both counts. The humor just isn’t funny.The script is competent & it’s well made, that’s about the best thing I can say about it. Once Bitten was the first major role for Carrey, he does OK but you wouldn’t have guessed from this that he would go on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest earners.
• IMDb User Review: “Jim Carrey is hilarious and this is just the beginning of the stars career. It’s plot is nothing special and the acting is alright but Jim makes this movie. You will need to see this movie if you are a fan of Jim’s. This is a great film and definitely classic for 80’s film. Check this film out soon. It is a winner.

Audience Reactions

Jim Carrey’s early performance is a highlight, showcasing his comedic potential.: Fans generally appreciate the film for its nostalgic value and lighthearted humor.

The dance sequence between Robin and the Countess is cited as a memorable and entertaining scene.: Many find the movie to be a fun, cheesy, and enjoyable 80s vampire comedy.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted and nostalgic 80s vampire comedy that showcases an early performance by Jim Carrey, with mixed reviews regarding its humor and plot, but generally appreciated for its entertainment value.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The role of the Countess was originally written for Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.”
• “Executive producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. was not convinced that Michael J. Fox was a big screen star, preventing him from starring in the film, a role that was offered to Jim Carrey.”
• “Jeffrey Hause, one of the writers, had to take a job as a video store clerk after running out of money from the initial earnings. A customer once told him “Whoever wrote this shouldn’t be working in Hollywood,” to which Hause replied “YOU GOT YOUR WISH!””
• “The film was released around the same time as ‘Fright Night,’ but didn’t achieve the same level of recognition despite being in a similar horror-comedy vein.”

🖥️ How to Watch Once Bitten?

As of October 2024, “Once Bitten” can be found for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region, so check your local listings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Once Bitten, you might like these similar films:

• Fright Night (1985): A direct comparison within the horror-comedy genre, featuring a teenager discovering his neighbor is a vampire.
• My Best Friend is a Vampire (1987): Another 80s teen horror-comedy with a focus on a teenager’s accidental transformation into a vampire.
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992): Thematic similarities in blending supernatural horror with comedic elements and teen drama.
• Vampire’s Kiss (1988): Nicolas Cage’s over-the-top performance as a man who believes he’s turning into a vampire offers a similar blend of comedy and horror.
• What We Do in the Shadows (2014): A modern equivalent mockumentary that hilariously explores the lives of vampires in a contemporary setting.

🛒 Once Bitten Related Products

• Once Bitten [Blu-ray]: Own the 80’s classic on Blu-ray! A great addition to any Jim Carrey collection, featuring improved video and audio quality.
• 80s Retro T-Shirt: Show off your love for the 80s with a rad t-shirt that encapsulates the decade’s vibe. Find designs inspired by ‘Once Bitten’ to level up the nostalgia.
• Vampire Countess Costume: Dress up as the seductive Countess from ‘Once Bitten’ for Halloween or cosplay. Includes a stylish vampire gown and accessories.
• 80s Movie Soundtrack Playlist: Get the full 80’s experience with all the hottest hits of the year including those featured in the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Once Bitten” – performed by 3-Speed

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Once Bitten (1/1) Jim Carrey Caught in a Dance Off (1985) HD

Remember that ridiculously awesome dance scene in Once Bitten? Check out young Jim Carrey tearing it up; you won’t regret it!

10 Things You Didn’t Know About OnceBitten

Think you know everything about Once Bitten? This video reveals some seriously cool facts you probably missed – I was totally surprised by number 7!

Jim Carrey Impression of Robert de Niro (Once Bitten)

OMG, you HAVE to see Jim Carrey’s spot-on Robert De Niro impression from Once Bitten! It’s short, sweet, and hilarious; I could watch it all day.

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