"VAMPIRES vs. THE BRONX" - HORROR MOVIE REVIEW / A TALE OF COMMUNITY, COURAGE, AND VAMPIRE SLAYING.

*Vampires vs. the Bronx* is a 2020 American comedy-horror film that blends humor, horror, and social commentary into a thrilling story about a group of teenagers defending their neighborhood from a sinister invasion. Directed by Oz Rodriguez and co-written by Rodriguez and Blaise Hemingway, the film stars Jaden Michael, Gerald W. Jones III, Gregory Diaz IV, Sarah Gadon, Method Man, Shea Whigham, and Coco Jones. Released on Netflix on October 2, 2020, the movie received highly positive reviews for its fresh take on the vampire genre and its heartfelt portrayal of community resilience.

 

The story begins in the Bronx, where a wave of gentrification is sweeping through the neighborhood. Vivian, a new resident, visits a local nail salon owned by Becky. During their conversation, Becky reveals that she is selling her salon to Murnau Properties, a real estate group that has been aggressively buying up properties in the area. Shortly after Vivian leaves, Becky is killed by a vampire, marking the beginning of a sinister plot orchestrated by Murnau.

 

Meanwhile, Miguel Martinez, a resourceful and determined teenager, is organizing a block party to raise funds to save Primo, a beloved local bodega owned by Tony. The bodega is more than just a store—it’s a cornerstone of the community, and Miguel, along with his best friends Bobby and Luis, grew up spending countless hours there. Miguel is deeply concerned about the rapid changes in the neighborhood, fearing that the unique character of the Bronx is being erased by gentrification.

 

While hanging up posters for the block party near a recently purchased Murnau property, Miguel notices a group of men watching him. He is chased by Slim, a member of a local gang led by Henny, but Slim is abruptly killed by one of the mysterious men. Miguel escapes to the bodega, where he hides with Bobby and Luis. The trio soon realizes that their pursuer is no ordinary man—he’s a vampire. They notice that the creature doesn’t appear in mirrors, a classic vampire trait, and they barely manage to evade him.

 

The next day, the boys decide to take matters into their own hands. Inspired by the vampire-hunting movie *Blade*, they research how to kill vampires and devise a plan to stop the invasion. They visit a Murnau Properties office to gather information, where they encounter Frank Polidori, a human servant of the vampires. Frank threatens them, implying that their lives are expendable. Undeterred, the boys steal a file and a skeleton-shaped key from his desk. The file contains plans for vampire nests throughout the Bronx, and the key leads them to an abandoned courthouse, which they discover is the vampires’ lair.

 

Breaking into the courthouse, the boys find a coffin and film themselves opening it, revealing a vampire inside. The creature chases them out, but when they show the video to the police and local residents as proof, it mysteriously shows an empty coffin. Miguel challenges Frank to step into the sunlight, but Frank does so without issue, further discrediting the boys. Unbeknownst to Miguel, Frank is a human servant, not a vampire. Realizing the boys have the key, Frank hires Henny and his gang to hunt them down.

 

As the situation escalates, Vivian visits the bodega, where Tony realizes she is a vampire. Before he can warn anyone, Tony is killed, and the bodega is boarded up by Murnau. Devastated by Tony’s death, Miguel takes his prized Sammy Sosa bat and vows to avenge him by destroying the vampires. The boys are pursued by both vampires and Henny’s gang, but they manage to evade capture with the help of Vivian, who reveals herself as the leader of the Murnau vampire coven. She demands the key, but Miguel uses holy water to drive her away.

 

Determined to end the vampire threat, the trio gathers supplies and infiltrates the courthouse. They kill several vampires, but Vivian retrieves the key, which opens a box containing the ashes of the first vampire. These ashes are crucial to the vampires’ plan to expand their army. In a moment of redemption, Frank, realizing he will never be accepted by the vampires, helps the boys escape before being killed by Vivian.

 

The final showdown takes place as the Bronx residents, armed with homemade weapons, rally to defend their neighborhood. In a climactic battle, Miguel uses Tony’s bat to stab and kill Vivian, ending her reign of terror. The community emerges victorious, proving that their unity and resilience are stronger than any outside threat.

 

Two weeks later, Miguel passes by a mural honoring Tony on his way to the block party. Reflecting on their experiences, he and his friends decide they make excellent vampire hunters. The film ends with Gloria, a local resident, livestreaming a message to future invaders: the Bronx will always stand together to protect its home.

 

*Vampires vs. the Bronx* is more than just a vampire movie—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the power of standing up for what you believe in. With its clever blend of humor, horror, and heart, the film delivers a timely message about the importance of preserving the places and people that make a neighborhood unique.