Review of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009) by Tracie J — 15 Nov 2014

"FREAKS AND VAMPIRES".

- 'Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant' is a 2009 fantasy horror film directed by Paul Weitz (American Pie, Little Fockers) and based upon the novels by Darren Shan. I'm a big fan of films that deal with a circus themed storyline. Although the story wasn't that great, I loved the many interesting characters. 'Cirque du Freak' will definitely appeal young adults. In its cast we see John C. Reilly (The River Wild, Dolores Claiborne), Chris Massoglia (The Hole 3D), Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games Saga, Red Dawn), Salma Hayek (The Faculty, From Dusk Till Dawn) and Willem Dafoe (Spiderman, Antichrist). 'Meet Darren, he's sixteen going on immortal'.

Darren Shan (Massoglia) is a brilliant student, whose live is influenced by his reckless best friend Steve (Hutcherson). One night they attend a freak show, where they see several strange figures (such as a werewolf, a man with two bellies and a bearded lady (Hayek). And then there is Larten Crepsley (Reilly) and his spider, Madam Octa. After the show, Darren sneaks into the dressing room and 'steals' the spider. He overhears a conversation between Crepsley and a man named Gavner Purl (Dafoe), who both are vampires. When Steve enters the room and tries to convince Crepsley to transform him into a vampire, he gets send home.

The following day, Darren brings Madam Octa to school. When Steve gets bitten by the venomous spider, Darren seeks out Crepsley to ask him for an antidote. The vampire is willing to help him if Darren accepts a deal: to become his assistant...