Once Bitten (1985) Review

 

Once Bitten (1985)

Once Bitten follows Mark, who after a desperate attempt to get laid, meets a woman who turns out to be a centuries old vampire who must drink the blood of a virgin to stay young.

Last stop (for now) on the Jim Carrey train is Once Bitten, a movie that, odds are if you have seen it, you were way too young. Set in the mid-80s, we get an over-sexualized blend of horror, comedy, and romance that really speaks to what kind of time it was in America in 1985. Sex is the overwhelming theme here. It’s what the film builds towards and ultimately ends with.

And I gotta say, I really enjoy its reinvention of a decades old genre, flipping it around with female vampires luring horny, young guys in, in order to feast on their blood in a rather particular way, which as I type this seems somewhat sexist, but whatever! It’s corny, it’s sexy, and above all else it’s a laid back story of losing ones innocence, the right way. It’s all very much a battle for Mark’s soul (or virginity I guess), splitting him between Robin, the sweet girl who is the picture of innocence, and the Countess, a centuries old cougar. This internal battle is played off nicely and never feels too too raunchy (unless you’re my dad, showing me this at the ripe age of 7).

Admittedly, it’s not particularly well made, lacking in any suspense; the vampires are also ridiculous aside from the Countess, who gets a pass for obvious reasons, but it’s a great escape from your usual True Blood type vampires.

The film stars a super young Jim Carrey in one of his first leading roles, as well as Karen Kopins, Lauren Hutton, Cleavon Little, Thomas Ballatore, and Skip Lackey. Carrey is great here, showcasing his ability to bounce from charismatic to hilarious to innocent really well, on top of his terrific chemistry with Hutton and Kopins.

Once Bitten, directed by Howard Storm, is by no means a good film but its lighthearted take on sex and teen desires makes for a goofy and fun bit of 80s nostalgia for anyone looking to have a laugh and marvel at the comedic genius of a young Jim Carrey.

6.9/10