John C. Reilly: 'Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant'
How director Paul Weitz translates three books from the popular 'Cirque de Freak' series into one movie
The Vampire's Assistant is a "mostly entertaining horror comedy," said Alonso Duralde in MSNBC.com. Based on the first three books of author Darren Shan's 12-part Cirque du Freak series, it tells the story of a young man (Chris Massoglia) apprenticed to a vampire/freak-show-entertainer played by John C. Reilly. Blending a "sardonic sense of humor" with a "healthy dose of things that go bump in the night," The Vampire's Assistant (watch the trailer) is a "clever and stylish hybrid" of "creepiness and comedy."
This film is "enjoyable" and certainly "worth a watch," said Lara Martin on Digital Spy. But the attempt to "cram three books into one movie" may be "confusing" to viewers unfamiliar with Shan's series, and director Paul Weitz leaves many questions unanswered in anticipation of a string of sequels. However, it "remains to be seen" if The Vampire's Assistant "warrants a long-term franchise."
Not if this first movie is any indication, said Rene Rodriguez in The Miami Herald. It's so desperately trying to be a "franchise launcher" to rival Harry Potter or Twilight, but it's been "tinkered with" and "tweaked" to such a degree that it "borders on the incomprehensible." The Vampire's Assistant is a "textbook example of how trying to please everyone ends up pleasing no one."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Also opening this week: Amelia, Antichrist, Astro Boy
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump uses tariffs to upend Brazil's domestic politics
IN THE SPOTLIGHT By slapping a 50% tariff on Brazil for its criminal investigation into Bolsonaro, the Trump administration is brazenly putting its fingers on the scales of a key foreign election
-
3 questions to ask when deciding whether to repair or replace your broken appliance
the explainer There may be merit to fixing what you already have, but sometimes buying new is even more cost-effective
-
'Trump's authoritarian manipulation of language'
Instant Opinion Vienna has become a 'convenient target for populists' | Opinion, comment and editorials of the day