Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant 2009
Directed by
Paul Weitz
Made by
Universal Pictures
Plot Summary
Darren Shan is just a typical teenager, until he and his somewhat morose friend, Steve, decide to check out the peculiar “Cirque du Freak” freak show in their town. The duo is entranced by a series of bizarre performances featuring a wolf-man, a snake-boy, and even a bearded lady. However, their sense of humor quickly fades when a vampire named Larten Crepsley takes the stage with a venomous spider, capturing Steve’s immediate attention due to his passion for the supernatural.
After the excitement turns into chaos when the police raid the show, the boys separate. Driven by his fascination with spiders—equal to Steve’s obsession with vampires—Darren sneaks backstage to get a closer look at Crepsley’s spider. While hiding, he overhears Steve pleading with Mr. Crepsley to transform him into a vampire and become his apprentice. Unfortunately, Mr. Crepsley discovers that Steve has “bad blood” and refuses to grant his wish, leading to a furious confrontation.
After an unexpected ride home with the enigmatic Mr. Tiny, who conveniently has Darren’s bike in his car, the next day becomes a nightmare when Darren brings the spider to school. When Steve accidentally drops the cage, the spider escapes, causing a frenzy and ultimately biting Steve. Rushed to the hospital, he is declared beyond help. In desperation, Darren seeks out Mr. Crepsley, who offers him a treatment—but only if Darren agrees to become his half-vampire assistant. Agreeing to the deal, Darren watches as Steve receives the cure and recovers, but resentment soon festers in Steve’s heart as he realizes that Darren now harbors vampiric traits, feeling betrayed in the process.
As Darren begins to grapple with his new identity, marked by an insatiable hunger for raw meat and even his sister’s blood, he recognizes that he can no longer live at home. Mr. Crepsley stages a mock funeral for Darren, and he is buried while Steve watches, sensing something is amiss. Unearthing Darren, Crepsley introduces him to the unique community of the freak camp overseen by Mr. Tall.
While adjusting to life among his new companions, including his newfound affection for monkey girl Rebecca, Darren’s challenges continue. He undergoes rigorous training with Larten, attempting to master the art of vampire combat, but his aversion to consuming blood leaves him physically diminished. Meanwhile, Steve’s path diverges dramatically as he is lured into the violent world of the vampaneze led by Mr. Tiny, which culminates in a chilling assignment against an old teacher.
The tension amplifies when four vampaneze invade the freak camp, capturing Rebecca. In a desperate bid to save her, Darren faces off against Murlaugh and Steve, unraveling a fierce battle that sets the stage for a looming war between the vampires and the vampaneze, while Mr. Tiny revels in the chaos that unfolds.
Timeline
Darren and Steve visit Cirque du Freak
Darren Shan, a typical teenager, and his friend Steve decide to check out the local freak show called 'Cirque du Freak'. They become entranced by bizarre performances, igniting Darren's curiosity about the supernatural.
Mr. Crepsley captivates the audience
In the freak show, a vampire named Larten Crepsley takes the stage with a venomous spider, drawing the attention of the audience, particularly Steve, who is fascinated by vampires. The atmosphere shifts when Crepsley’s performance ends in chaos due to a police raid.
Darren sneaks backstage
After separating from Steve during the chaos, Darren sneaks backstage, driven by his intrigue for Crepsley's spider. While hiding, he overhears Steve desperately begging Crepsley to turn him into a vampire, revealing Steve's obsession with the supernatural.
Confrontation over Steve's request
Mr. Crepsley discovers that Steve has 'bad blood' and refuses his request to become a vampire. This leads to a heated confrontation, leaving Steve frustrated and angry about his fate.
Darren's bike incident
After the freak show, Darren unexpectedly rides home with Mr. Tiny, who returns Darren's bike. This unusual encounter hints at the mysterious nature of Mr. Tiny, foreshadowing future events in Darren's life.
Spider incident at school
Darren brings the venomous spider to school, intending to show it off. When Steve accidentally drops the cage, the spider escapes, resulting in panic and chaos, ultimately leading to Steve getting bitten.
Steve's hospitalization
After the spider bite, Steve is rushed to the hospital but is declared beyond help. This tragic turn of events leaves Darren feeling guilty and desperate to find a solution for his friend.
Darren's transformation offer
In his desperation, Darren seeks out Mr. Crepsley, who offers him a chance to save Steve. However, this comes with a dark bargain—Darren must agree to become Crepsley's half-vampire assistant in exchange for the treatment.
Steve's recovery and betrayal
Darren accepts the offer, and Steve receives a cure, but a sense of betrayal brews within Steve as he realizes Darren now possesses vampiric traits. Their friendship reaches a breaking point, leading to resentment and conflict.
Darren's mock funeral
As Darren grapples with his new identity marked by a craving for raw meat, Mr. Crepsley stages a mock funeral for him. Darren is 'buried' while Steve watches suspiciously, feeling something is not right.
Introduction to freak camp
After being unearthed by Crepsley, Darren is introduced to a unique freak camp overseen by Mr. Tall. This new environment offers Darren a chance to explore his new life as he meets other extraordinary beings.
Training with Larten Crepsley
As Darren adjusts to life in the freak camp, he undergoes rigorous training with Larten Crepsley to learn vampire combat. However, his aversion to blood consumption hampers his physical strength and abilities.
Steve's turn to darkness
Meanwhile, Steve is drawn into the violent world of the vampaneze, led by Mr. Tiny. This diversion marks a stark contrast to Darren's life, establishing a dangerous rivalry and setting the stage for future confrontations.
Vampaneze attack on the freak camp
The tension escalates when a group of vampaneze invades the freak camp, capturing Rebecca, a girl Darren has come to like. This event propels Darren into a frantic mission to rescue her, forcing him to confront both Murlaugh and Steve.
Battle for survival
In an intense showdown, Darren faces off against Steve and the vampaneze. The ensuing battle highlights the escalating conflict between the vampires and the vampaneze, as Mr. Tiny revels in the chaos that erupts.
Characters
Darren Shan
Darren is a curious and adventurous teenager whose life changes dramatically after a visit to the Cirque du Freak. Initially a typical boy, he finds himself torn between his ordinary life and the temptations of the supernatural. As he grapples with his new identity as a half-vampire, he also faces moral dilemmas regarding loyalty and sacrifice.
Larten Crepsley
Larten Crepsley is a mysterious and wise vampire who becomes Darren's mentor. He is characterized by his complex nature, balancing his dark duties as a vampire with a protective instinct towards Darren. His guidance is pivotal as Darren navigates his new reality, providing the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the world of vampires.
Steve
Steve is Darren's best friend, whose fascination with vampires leads him to make dangerous choices. His character represents the darker side of obsession, as he seeks to gain power through transformation, which ultimately drives a wedge between him and Darren. His journey into the world of the vampaneze further complicates their relationship and highlights the theme of betrayal.
Setting
Time period
Contemporary
The movie takes place in contemporary times, reflecting societal interests in the supernatural, horror, and fantasy genres. This period showcases a fascination with the strange and unusual, encapsulated in the form of freak shows and vampire mythology, providing a backdrop for Darren's journey into the unknown.
Location
Cirque du Freak, Freak Camp
Cirque du Freak is a mysterious and enchanting show that attracts both curious and adventurous individuals. Known for its bizarre acts, it features unique performers such as a wolf-man, snake-boy, and even a bearded lady, drawing in audiences from far and wide. The Freak Camp, overseen by Mr. Tall, serves as a refuge for those like Darren and a training ground for vampires, filled with its own peculiar community.
Themes
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Identity
The struggle with identity is a central theme in the film, as Darren faces the transformation into a half-vampire. This new identity comes with challenges and moral dilemmas, particularly as he grapples with his hunger for blood and the betrayal of his best friend. The theme explores the impact of choosing a path that diverges from one's former life and the consequences that follow.
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Friendship and Betrayal
The relationship between Darren and Steve evolves drastically throughout the story, highlighting themes of friendship and betrayal. Initially close, their bond deteriorates as Steve feels abandoned and jealous due to Darren's transformation and newfound powers. This theme emphasizes the complexities of relationships when faced with drastic changes and societal pressures.
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Fascination with the Supernatural
Darren and Steve's initial excitement about the supernatural leads them to the freak show, setting the stage for their exploration of vampiric lore. Their obsession with the fantastic ultimately leads them down dark paths, revealing the allure and danger associated with such enchantments. This theme serves as a cautionary tale about indulging in fantasies without understanding the repercussions.
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