Eddie Murphy’s Journey: From “Brooklyn Vampire” to a Cult Classic
Eddie Murphy once stood at a crossroads in his career. Today, he’s a legendary figure, albeit one who has, perhaps, lost some of his former glory. In the 2020s, he’s already starred in more live-action films than he did in the entire 2010s, although many of these were for streaming platforms. However, there was a time—around 30 years ago—when Murphy hit a major low by taking on a role in a film titled Brooklyn Vampire, a horror comedy helmed by Wes Craven. Following the commercial flop of Beverly Hills Cop III, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars was eager to reclaim his place, revisiting his beloved character felt almost obligatory. But, ironically, Brooklyn Vampire took a path contrary to what fans likely expected.
Produced on a smaller budget than Beverly Hills Cop III, this film is also considered one of Murphy’s lesser works in his filmography. It currently holds a mere 14% on the Tomatometer, and critics at the time were even more brutal. As it turned out, Brooklyn Vampire soon lost its distinction as Murphy’s biggest failure, with The Adventures of Pluto Nash taking that title instead. Interestingly, a detailed oral history of the making of Brooklyn Vampire was created in 2015 to mark its 20th anniversary, but it seems to have been somewhat overlooked. The best way to access it now is through the Internet Archive, though Murphy and Craven weren’t involved in the retelling.
The oral history offers a complex picture of the motives behind the film’s creation. Murphy is portrayed as wanting to shed his reputation for silly roles (which aligns with his experience around the same time with Beverly Hills Cop III). It attempted to blend too much humor into its horror elements, seeming almost disconnected from the overall filmmaking process. Murphy himself claimed that he was somewhat pressured into making this film to escape his contract with Paramount Pictures, though he might have omitted that he initially pushed for it. Was the intention behind it gothic drama, horror, or an action-comedy with a vampire twist? It’s tough to pin down, and that’s likely part of what made it difficult to generate a consensus on its quality.
Still, this kind of disarray can lead to some intriguing films, and Brooklyn Vampire certainly stands out. The plot is straightforward: Max (played by Murphy), who might be the last vampire on Earth, tries to turn Rita (Angela Bassett), a New York cop who’s unknowingly half-vampire, into a vampire like himself. Max is akin to the villain in Bram Stoker’s Dracula; he’s both malevolent and lovesick, using his skills to charm Rita while wreaking havoc. Supporting roles from Kadeem Hardison and John Witherspoon add some brightness to the mix.
While Murphy’s character isn’t particularly compelling, the makeup work he uses to portray both a preacher and an Italian mobster is solid. Yet, his less humorous demeanor in Brooklyn Vampire feels quite at odds with the film’s overall sense of lethargy and tension. In real life, both Beverly Hills Cop III and Brooklyn Vampire seemed to harbor a similar level of frustration. However, I dare say that Brooklyn Vampire holds a darker reflection compared to some of his earlier works like Boomerang, where Murphy appeared genuinely happy and willing to share the spotlight with his co-stars, all while aiming to win over the love interest. In contrast, Brooklyn Vampire focuses seriously on relationships, even amid its absurdities.
I can’t help but think of a particular scene from Boomerang that, while indirectly, connects with Brooklyn Vampire. Murphy and Halle Berry are comfortably lounging on the sofa, bonding over an episode of Star Trek. Murphy’s enthusiasm for the series shines through here; he’s even been mentioned as a potential co-star for Star Trek IV. That moment felt all the more special as two Black characters appreciated a show often thought of as the domain of predominantly White fans. However, I wonder if Murphy has the same affinity for horror films as he does for sci-fi. In Brooklyn Vampire, there’s an undeniable playfulness, allowing a largely Black cast to thrive in a genre that often sidelines them. Still, it’s worth noting that not all attempts at genre diversification have been successful; for instance, The Adventures of Pluto Nash suffered greatly despite its sci-fi aspirations. Yet, Brooklyn Vampire breaks that mold! Although the comedy might not deliver as much laughter as expected from a Murphy film, it still offers an interesting take and has a certain charm. And honestly, Angela Bassett truly shines!
While the outcome might have been average, perhaps it’s a blessing that the film faded so quickly from mainstream attention. It seems to work better as a cult classic and serves as a refreshing break. The following year, Murphy starred in Nutty Professor, which became a massive hit for him, while Craven found success with Scream, becoming a cultural phenomenon that continues today. Both actors made strides back to their roots—Murphy in broad comedy and Craven in slasher horror—while also introducing new elements. It’s curious how Brooklyn Vampire diverged significantly from those successes, making it even more unique in its strangeness and, oddly enough, quite likable.
Watch Brooklyn Vampire on Paramount+
