The director's recent project may have revitalized the concept of African American undead, but the roots of this cinematic category trace back to the Blaxploitation era. One of the most memorable early examples was the 1972 classic Blacula. In that film, the actor's character is turned by Dracula and cursed with the demeaning name “Blacula.” Originally written as a caricature, Marshall transformed the part into something regal, providing his figure an 18th-century backstory as Mamuwalde, a proud African prince.
Years afterward, the comedic star seemed to take a cue from his predecessor, enriching his own protagonist's lore in Wes Craven's interpretation on the Black vampire subgenre: Vampire in Brooklyn. Murphy's Maximillian is a heir of Dracula whose ancestors escaped to Egypt, and later to the Bermuda Triangle, after being hunted to the brink of extinction. Vampire in Brooklyn proves that Black vampire stories can be funny, frightening, and thought-provoking all at once, earning its place in the hall of fame by balancing all three while honoring the subgenre's legacy.
Debuted three decades back on October 27th, 1995, Vampire in Brooklyn is now available on Tubi, making it an must-see if you want a dash of humor with your frights this Halloween.
An Urban Vampire Story
Like Prince Akeem in Coming to America (Murphy's classic from 1988), the vampire lead is drawn to New York City. But rather than traveling from Zamunda to Queens, he emerges from the Bermuda Triangle into Brooklyn, aiming to locate and ensure the continuation of his undead bloodline with an heir of his clan.
Maximillian arrives in New York aboard a ghost ship whose crew has been mysteriously slaughtered, a nod to Nosferatu. The vessel is discovered by ship inspector Silas Green (John Witherspoon) and his relative Julius Jones (Kadeem Hardison), two of the film's funniest characters. Silas then witnesses a black wolf jump from the ship, run into an alley, and transform into a man — like the iconic routine from the extended Black or White video. Groovy Blaxploitation-style music kicks in, setting the mood for a movie that handily balances scares and laughs.
Creative Visions
Recently after his final entry in the iconic horror series, the director was eager to move beyond his horror reputation and make a more hybrid genre film (his next film after Vampire in Brooklyn was Scream, which exploited horror tropes for both comedy and genuine scares). Meanwhile, the star aimed to defy assumptions by diving into a pure scary movie rooted in vampire mythology. The clash of those creative goals explains the story's detailed beginning of the protagonist's backstory and its generally sluggish start. But once the film clicks into high gear, it opens up to its strengths — like its eclectic cast.
The acclaimed actress, as the vampire's love interest, plays police officer Rita Veder, whose dynamic with her partner and love interest, detective Justice (Allen Payne), adds a crime-drama edge to the story. Among Black cinema’s most praised actresses, she gives a powerful acting with Payne, a familiar face from the time. In the meantime, Murphy spends most of his screen time with Kadeem Hardison, forming a hilarious classic comedy pair as the actor's Julius Jones becomes the vampire's minion. (Seeing Julius sink deeper and deeper into his ghoulish role as his skin decays throughout the film is a highlight of how Murphy’s usual bag of tricks enhances the comedy and horror, even when employed by the cast).
Gothic Intrigue
When the two leads meet and Murphy and Bassett appear together, the film hits its stride — the suspense builds, the fear escalates, and their darkly seductive chemistry becomes the focus. The vampire's scheme is to take away everything Rita has in her life and then swoop in. He murders her roommate, drives a wedge in between her and her partner, and even uses Nutty Professor-esque prosthetics to disguise himself as a preacher and undermine her beliefs.
As the plot progresses, it becomes more darkly romantic, including metamorphoses and discoveries of heritage. This results in a third act packed with seduction, as mortality and damnation are at stake. The movie concludes with a teaser suggesting a potential sequel, one that could have happened had the film performed better. Vampire in Brooklyn made a modest box office return and got largely critical reception upon release. Over time, it gained popularity as a beloved classic, with critics later applauding the filmmaker's work, the electric chemistry Murphy and Bassett, and its clever mix of horror and comedy. The film shows glimpses of genius that might have shone brighter had all participants been in agreement on a cohesive approach, rather than producing the mixed-genre result audiences received. Still, Vampire in Brooklyn has rightfully earned its place in the canon of African American scary movies, an overlooked but impactful film characterized by its bold style and unforgettable performances.
