Vampire in Brooklyn

1995

Vampire in Brooklyn

Critics Consensus

Neither scary nor very funny, this misguided effort never lives up to its premise.

10%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 29

31%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 51,388
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Movie Info

Comedian Eddie Murphy tried something different with this 1995 film that he produced and co-wrote, enlisting veteran horror director Wes Craven to give the story some chills. The uneven comedy-horror tale features Murphy as a vampire named Maximillian who arrives in Brooklyn on a ship full of people who have been brutally murdered. One of the corpses on board closely resembles that of Rita (Angela Bassett), one of the detectives assigned to the case. Maximillian targets Rita, hoping to get a dance with her that will bring her under his control. He enlists the help of a worker named Julius (Kadeem Hardison), biting his neck and turning him into a slowly decaying ghoul. Also seeking to romance Rita, though in a less sinister way, is her longtime detective partner Justice (Allen Payne). Maximillian uses his supernatural powers to interfere with the budding romance. Murphy also plays a preacher and an Italian gangster in this bizarre film.

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Cast

Eddie Murphy
as Maximillian
Angela Bassett
as Rita
Allen Payne
as Justice
Kadeem Hardison
as Julius
John Witherspoon
as Silas
Zakes Mokae
as Dr. Zeko
Joanna Cassidy
as Dewey
Simbi Khali
as Nikki
Messiri Freeman
as Eva
Kelly Cinnante
as Officer
Nick Corri
as Anthony
W. Earl Brown
as Thrasher
Ayo Adeyemi
as Bartender
Troy Curvey Jr.
as Choir Leader
Vickilyn Reynolds
as Mrs. Brown
William Blount
as Deacon Brown
Joe Costanza
as Bear
Mitch Pileggi
John LaMotta
as Lizzy
Marcelo Tubert
as Waiter
Nick DeMauro
as Caprisi
Jerry Hall
as Woman in Park
Mark Haining
as Man in Park
Wendy Robie
as Zealot in Police Station
Alyse Mandel
as Cop
Larry Paul Marshall
as Greeter at Church
Vince Micelli
as Checker Player
Oren Waters
as Singer
Carlton "Santa" Davis
as Singer
Clive Ross
as Singer
Michael Hyde
as Singer
Maxine Waters Willard
as Singer
Josef Powell
as Singer
Roy Galloway
as Singer
Carmen Carter
as Singer
Julie Waters Tillman
as Singer
Carmen Twillie
as Singer
Ray Combs
as Game Show Host
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Critic Reviews for Vampire in Brooklyn

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (10)

View All Critic Reviews (29)

Audience Reviews for Vampire in Brooklyn

  • Nov 26, 2014
    Wes Craven and Eddie Murphy team up for the dark horror-comedy Vampire in Brooklyn. In a basic Dracula tale, a vampire named Maximillian comes to Brooklyn in search of a dhampir and attempts to seduce her into joining him as a creature of the night. Murphy gives a great performance (in all three of his roles) and is able to be a cool kind of frightening. Angela Bassett however, is awful and doesn't work at all. And Kadeem Hardison, is in another film entirely. There's no consistency to the tone and the storytelling is incredibly poor. A mess from top to bottom, Vampire in Brooklyn is complete garbage.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 09, 2013
    Wes Craven has made a career out of directing some of the finest horror films in the genre. However in 1995 he teamed up with Eddie Murphy, who by this time was on the road to mediocrity and they made this comedy horror flick. I love vampire films, and there are some of the best films in horror. They're classic horror monsters and they are sexy, cold blooded killers. This film unfortunately fails to be any good and it fails to be a good addition to the vampire genre. The script is lazy and the performances are shallow with nothing that really stands out. The film's comedic elements are poorly thought out, and the jokes fall flat and the film ends up being a tiring affair. The film is a mediocre affair that simply ends up being a waste of time. The film could have been great and it's a shame due to the fact there were some good ideas here, but they simply don't get off the ground. This is one of the weaker Craven films, and it simply doesn't entertain the way it's supposed to. The ideas are there, but the execution is poor, and the film misses the mark. Fright Night was a great vampire horror comedy, and it hit all the right note. However this one simply didn't deliver and it shows the early signs of Eddie Murphy's dwindleling talent and success. Don't expect a great film with Vampire in Brooklyn as you will be disappointed and you'll want something more out of a film that provides you with so little. Stick with The Lost Boys and Fright Night and skip this mediocre movie that should have been reworked a few times in the screenwriting phase.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Jul 12, 2012
    I remembered this being a quite different film, black vampires!! Who'd have thought that? Wes Craven did a great job, not his best film, but I enjoyed this little delight.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Jun 09, 2010
    I've seen a lot of Eddie Murphy movies, and have not yet been disappointed by any of them. In this one he does a fair job as a Caribbean vampire in Brooklyn who searches, and finds, the half vampire female cop named Rita (Angela Bassett) to breed with. She doesn't know that until she meets him one night and becomes terrified of that fact alone. Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett deliver good performances. It is an unlikely blend of horror and romantic comedy yet; somehow, it still manages to entertain.
    Deb S Super Reviewer
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