The Perfect Vampire Horror Comedy Is On Netflix

While its title sums things up in a nutshell, you should know what Vampires vs. the Bronx is all about. This movie is a cautionary tale against gentrification with a twist: the soulless monsters ripping the soul out of the Bronx are, in fact, vicious vampires. It’s up to some young children to save their neighborhood from an entirely different kind of monstrous transformation, but they face an uphill battle against some of the deadliest creatures in the entire world.

While Vampires vs. the Bronx has many fine qualities, one of the strongest things about this movie is the core trio of young protagonists. Jaden Michael, Gerald W. Jones III, and Gregory Diaz IV don’t have much of a Hollywood history (though Diaz was great in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), but they effortlessly breathe vivacious life into their every shared scene. Thanks to the awesome chemistry (they do seem like a trio of tight friends), it’s easy to buy into these plucky kids as symbols of a neighborhood’s purity in the face of encroaching darkness.

In addition to these awesome young actors, Vampires vs. the Bronx is also filled with some older stars who are having plenty of fun. Musical legend Cliff “Method Man” Smith has a memorable role, as does beloved Star Trek (2009) actor Zoe Saldana. Boardwalk Empire veteran Shea Whigham is also here to lend the film some of his trademark gravitas.

When Vampires vs. the Bronx came out, critics felt like it was a true breath of fresh air in a genre that was as stuffy as Dracula’s coffin. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a critical rating of 90 percent. Critics generally praised the film for so effectively blending horror and comedy together, all while delivering a story with a surprisingly heartfelt message.

As for me, I was impressed at how well that message embeds itself into the film, enhancing the narrative rather than feeling like a preachy diatribe. It has some shared DNA with Attack the Block, another horror comedy built around the idea that when the chips are down, unlikely allies will band together to protect their neighborhood against nefarious outsiders.

While vampires aren’t real (or maybe that’s just what they want us to think!), the message about the need for collective action against heartless entrepreneurs is one that, frankly, more people need to hear.

REVIEW SCORE

I think Vampires vs. the Bronx is a movie firing on all cylinders, straddling genres, and breaking all the rules in the most hilarious way. Will you agree with my assessment, or will you want to drive a stake through your TV after watching? The only way to do this is to stream this modern horror classic on Netflix today.