Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)

10% of critics liked it
(29 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(50,270 ratings)

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… More 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. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Wes Craven
Genres: Horror, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 27, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Jan 29, 2002
Studio: Paramount

Critic Reviews

Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
Vampire in Brooklyn is neither funny nor frightening and comes up a tedious middle-road hybrid from veteran scaremeister Wes Craven, who directed.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Neither as good as it might be nor as bad as you might expect.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
To call this a comedy is a sign of optimism; to call it a comeback for Murphy is a sign of blind faith.
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
Murphy's pale efforts are enough to make one fondly recall Blacula. Now that was one sucker who knew how to make a film that didn't.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
They're no match, though, for the crushing disappointment of having to watch Murphy on the comic sidelines. It's like going to a Barbra Streisand concert and being asked to listen with her while the rhythm section sings.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Doesn't live up to its promise or premise.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Never funny enough to pass muster as a comedy and never scary enough (if at all) to make it as a horror movie.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Given the talent involved, it's almost impressive how much of a misfire the film is.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Oh, Wes, what did we all do to deserve this?
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Is it comedy? Is it horror? Uneven film that never lives up to its potential as either.
Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine
Essentially little more than a romantic triangle with a 'good versus evil' twist, it's not a bad film, but it is also neither winningly funny enough to exploit Murphy's talents nor bitingly scary enough to exploit Craven's.
Catherine Cantieri, Apollo Guide
The horror relies on special effects so obvious that the scares are compromised.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Another film I haven't seen since release at the cinema, I enjoyed it upon first viewing back then but nowadays I'm not so sure. This film was pretty much Murphy's last flick before he began his lame kiddie flick career and gave up on adult action/humour which he has… More
Another film I haven't seen since release at the cinema, I enjoyed it upon first viewing back then but nowadays I'm not so sure. This film was pretty much Murphy's last flick before he began his lame kiddie flick career and gave up on adult action/humour which he has never seemed to recover from. Director by Horror legend Wes Craven you would think this might have a chance at being good but unfortunately because Murphy tries to go down the 'Coming to America' route it fails. There's no way Murphy can recapture the golden days of 'Coming to America' and he tries way too hard in this, its not a terrible vampire film but its not exactly funny either which it tries to be too much. Some nice makeup on Murphy, Hardison and Bassett can't really save the film with its obvious sets, poor casting and indecision as to wether it wants to be more amusing or more serious. I think its safe to say both Wes and Eddie tried for an 'American in Werewolf' approach but missed the mark by quite some distance but it still has one or two nice moments.
Tim S

Has some funny moments.
Jason O

Maybe I'm the only one, but I was impressed with this vampire flick and with Eddie Murphy as a vampire.
Lady D

Ridiculous yet kind of funny and typically Eddie Murphy. This vampire comedy makes easy watching with some comical moments and several characters for Murphy to portray (keep up with Murphy tradition).
Dean M

This anemic vampire comedy is yet another misfire by star Eddie Murphy, apparently more concerned with playing multiple roles than with delivering a coherent film.
Kylie B

Eddie Murphy does well as Max, very atmostpheric, could pull off being a 'real' horror film and not just a comedy.
Jason S

It was a little funny but it seemed a little forced.
Deb S

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… More
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.
Sarah B

Not for the first time I'm left thinking, what does Eddie Murphy think he's doing?
Ira Z

I'm not really sure what to say about this movie. A part of me knows that this movie really sucks. But, on the other hand, I still kinda like it since Eddie Murphy's in it. Oh well...