FAQ

After attending a freak show, teenagers Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia) and Steve Leonard (Josh Hutcherson) steal a spider, Madame Octa, that belongs to the vampire Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly). When Steve is bitten by the poisonous spider, Darren seeks out Crepsley for the antidote, but the vampire only gives it to him on the condition that Darren become his assistant. When Steve finds out that Darren has become an assistant to a vampire, the one thing that he wants most in life, he vows to kill both Darren and Crepsley. Meanwhile, the Vampaneze are also after Darren, while Darren has to deal with learning to adjust to his new life as a half-vampire.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is based on the first three installments, entitled Cirque Du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant, and Tunnels of Blood (all published in the year 2000), of a 12-book, young adult series, The Saga of Darren Shan, by Irish author Darren Shan (real name: Darren O'Shaughnessy). The novels were adapted for the film by American screenwriter Brian Helgeland.

It's explained in the movie that, at some point in the past, vampires split into two factions: vampires and Vampaneze. Vampires are those who don't kill their victims when drinking from them, and Vampaneze are vampires who do kill their prey.

Along with Lartin Crepsley and his spider, the Cirque du Freak consists of (but is not limited to) the Ringleader Mr Tall (Ken Watanabe), the Wolfman (Tom Woodruff Jr.), Corma Limbs the Recycling Queen (Jane Krakowski), Alexander Ribs (Orlando Jones), Gertha Teeth (Kristen Schaal), Rhamus Twobellies (Frankie Faison), Evra the Snake Boy (Patrick Fugit), Madame Trushka (Salma Hayek), Rebecca the Monkey Girl (Jessica Carlson), and Harkat, one of various little people.

He saw the wounds on Darren's fingertips from when Darren and Crepsley exchanged blood.

Just when it looks like Murlaugh (Ray Stevenson) and Steve have the upper hand on Crepsley, Darren enters the theater. Having fed on Rebecca's blood, Daren is able to push Steve off Crepsley, giving him time to pick up the knife and stab Murlaugh, while Mr Tiny (Michael Cerveris) watches from the balcony, an amused smile on his face. With his dying breath, Murlaugh says, "The truce...100 years...is over. The war begins." Darren and Steven then go at each other, but Mr Tiny stops the fight, telling them that it's not time for them to fight...yet. He turns Murlaugh into a little person and revives his body, then he and Steve leave together. Darren is allowed to say goodbye to his family before Crepsley erases their memories of all that has happened. Darren and Rebecca share a kiss, then the three of them flit home. Madame Truska praises Crepsley for "sticking his neck out" to help Darren. Mr Tall asks for a vote from the freaks as to whether Darren should be made a member of the Cirque. The vote is "yes." Later, Darren admits to Crepsley that he once wished he'd never seen the Cirque but now he can't imagine life any other way. Gavner Purl suggests that Crepsley and Darren leave now, but Crepsley wants to give Darren a good day's rest first. In the final scene, Darren gets his own coffin and beds down in it, fully accepting his new life as a member of the Cirque du Freak.

The main character was named after the author because it is suggested in the book that the story is true.

The producers have said that the movie story is being moved to America from the novels' settings in Europe but that this should not change any plot elements.