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Fright Night Review

Movies.com Critics

3.0

Dave White Profile

Big mouth strikes again. Read full review

3.5

Grae Drake Profile

Fang-licking good. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    64

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 70

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    The old "Fright Night" was both self-aware and effectively scary, and if this one seems to prefer gruesome digital effects to old-fashioned bump-in-the-night spookiness, it still succeeds in keeping the audience both tickled and anxious.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Todd McCarthy

    A steady supply of spiky humor and a game cast keep this cooking most of the way, though the pacing could have been tighter and the film seems as if it's about to end two or three times before it actually does.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly

    It ends up getting a surprising number of things right.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    As in the earlier film, this one dances always at the edge of comedy. It especially has fun with the Rules of Vampire Behavior.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Scott Bowles

    Fright is way too quick on its feet to be slowed by clichés. David Tennant seizes McDowall's role as Peter Vincent, now a Criss Angel-style clown vampire slayer. Christopher Mintz-Plasse was born to play a high school nerd.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

    Plenty gory, but graced by a jovial sense of humor and an enjoyably guts-centric use of 3-D.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Fright Night reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Remake blends bloody vampire violence with humor.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this Colin Farrell vampire movie -- a remake of the same-named 1985 cult classic -- blends comedy and horror. But despite the attempt at a lighter tone, it has plenty of vampire violence, with lots of blood, biting, stabbing, shooting, burning, and fighting. Language is likewise strong, with many uses of "f--k" and "s--t" throughout. There's no nudity, but characters are definitely thinking about sex, and there's lots of flirting and innuendo. One supporting character, an adult, may have a drinking problem, which is treated somewhat comically. So, no, this isn't Twilight -- but older teens who like their vampires with (pun intended) more bite will probably want to check it out.

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. How do the comic undertones affect its impact? Is any of it disturbing rather than just scary/thrilling?
  • What's the appeal of vampires and vampire movies? Are they scary? How is this movie similar to the popular Twilight movies? How is it different?

The good stuff
  • message true1

    Messages: Buried somewhere under all the scary stuff is some commentary about being yourself: Charley tries to be "cool" for his girlfriend and avoids his old, "nerdy" friends, but he discovers that it's too much work. Likewise, when the "magician" Peter agrees to help Charley, he learns to face his problems and to think of others besides himself.

  • rolemodels true2

    Role models: Charley is mostly very responsible, sacrificing his already tentative relationship with his girlfriend to protect all his loved ones from the vampire threat. He works tirelessly to solve the problem at hand.

What to watch for
  • violence false4

    Violence: Though the movie's tone is slightly comic, there's still plenty of strong, vampire-related violence, including lots of blood, dead bodies, biting of necks, licking of blood, stabbing with stakes, shooting with crossbows and guns, characters being hit with cars, fighting, and explosions. Vampires burst into flame and ashes when they're killed.

  • sex false2

    Sex: Plenty of flirting and sexual innuendo (most of it dealing with a vampire's power to seduce). And Charley and Amy definitely think about having sex. They kiss, and, in one scene, Amy unsuccessfully attempts to seduce him. (Potential spoiler alert) At the end of the story, they prepare for their first sexual experience.

  • language false4

    Language: Strong, frequent language includes many uses of "f--k" and "s--t." Other words include "p---y," "bitch," "ass," "balls," "d--k," "jerk-off," "crap," "douchebag," "hell," "damn," "goddamn," "oh my God," and "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation).

  • consumerism false1

    Consumerism: Two mentions of eBay, which are the setup and payoff of a joke. Ben & Jerry's ice cream and TiVo are also mentioned.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: A supporting (adult) character drinks a great deal, almost compulsively; he even appears drunk during the final battle and takes a swig from a flask afterward -- this is all portrayed humorously. The vampire borrows a six pack of beer but doesn't drink any on screen. There's a quick joke about a teen being "on drugs."

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 4.029
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
4

Fright Night......Great Night by sylar2744
I have to be honest I wasn't expecting alot from this film, vampire movies seem to be getting a little more and more corny as the years pass, and Colin Farrell well I'm just not a huge fan of, he has been in some great movies, but there is something about him I have never really liked.....well that was until I saw Fright Night. I think Colin Farrell did a great job along with Anton Yelchin who played Charlie in the film. It had some parts that made my wife jump and some parts that made her and I laugh as well. I think it was well written and all the actors did a great job especially Dave Franco who has an uncanny resemblence to his older brother James Franco.

1

NO, NO, AND SIMPLY NO by STANGMANDANNYS
It is rare in these hard economic times for me to WALK OUT of a movie but this one, I sure did. After about 60% I really had gotten over it stood up, threw my popcorn away and dumped my soda. For ME to do this, a movie has to be VERY BAD. Seems like every other line had F*** or talking about F****** or a females P*****, REALLY? The original was so awesome and had a charm because it played on the pure innocents of the kids. It was a movie you could take your 12 year old or your 80 year old grand mother to see. This movie, in my own personal opinion sucked. Its filthy, shallow plot line and is like a bad "Fangoria" movie remake. My advice, rent the original, save your money until it hits Nexflix Or Blockbuster and even then... think long & hard before you waste 2 hours. A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. I need to watch the original again just to restore my faith in film making. I'm just amazed that people think this was good, it goes to show just how far down the scale we have dropped.

5

Fright Night For Real by kraduate
I'm not going to compare this to the original other than to say the original may hold more charm but the remake kicks more butt. View them as separate entities and you should enjoy this. Yes, Fright Night is a bit campy. But that's the fun of it. Remember when movies were fun? This is reminiscent of 80s films-- you went for the pure joy of the movie going experience. You weren't as worried about special affects or cheesy dialogue and you didn't have heavy-handed messages constantly shoved down your throat like we do with so many movies today. Fright Night is a fun vampire romp. I loved the updated Criss Angel-esque version of Peter Vincent.

4

Nice Fright by rockydoggies
Great cornball Fright Night movie. Anton Yelchin pretty much is gold with the characters he play. Colin Farrell plays a cool dark n mysterious bad guy. Imogen Poots plays a nice hotty dedicated to the dorky geeky hero. McLovin was cool too. The movie is what it is, A Saturday night popcorn flick and I was entertained.

5

Fright Night Movie Review by Asianfreak
80 out of 100 Terrifying humor next door called Jerry.

4


4

Pretty good by greg4968
The movie was good but I think I sould have paid the extra money to see it in 3D and then I'm sure it would have been great. I def. think I will go again and but see it in 3D

5


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