A Quiet Night Shattered by a Deadly UFO Attack
In the small town of Marlow, a family of four, the MacDowells, are enjoying their life and a quiet night. That is, until they witness a flying saucer appearing in a nearby cornfield, which horrifically murders the mother of the family. The father, along with his two daughters, nearly suffers the same fate, but thankfully, the crucifix worn by Roy MacDowell (Erik Helle) saves the trio, and Dracula (Craig Gloster) is forced to flee in his spaceship.
Decades Later, Horror Returns to Marlow
In the present day, the year is 1957, and the MacDowells are now grown up and still live in the same community. The locals continue to live in fear of them, harbouring grave concerns about events that took place years ago and questioning what really happened. However, it is not long before brutally mutilated dead bodies begin to appear, starting with Susan MacDowell (Charlotte Bondy). Was it a bear? A pack of wolves? Nope.
Dracula’s Vampire Zombies Strike Back from Space
When an autopsy occurs at the morgue, a new kind of threat is revealed. Vampire Zombies from Space are now roaming among us, attempting to take over the world under the command of Dracula. And thanks to his son, Dylan (Robert Kemeny), Dracula has finally worked out how to overcome the long-standing issues surrounding crucifixes. Now, can the handful of survivors, including the town’s newest officer, James Wallace (Rashaun Baldeo), Mary MacDowell (Jessica Antovski), Chief Ed Clarke (Andrew Bee), and a cool greaser named Wayne (Oliver Georgiou), work together to stop Dracula and his newfound breed of Vampire Zombies coming to Earth from Space to take over the world?
A Hilarious Homage to Classic Horror and Sci-Fi
Vampire Zombies… from Space! is a horror and sci-fi spoof inspired by titles such as Spaceballs, Psycho Goreman, Ed Wood, Night of the Living Dead, and more. Directed by Michael Stasko and written by Jakob Skrzypa, Alex Forman, and Michael Stasko, the film is a clear homage to classic 1960s horror and sci-fi cinema from the opening frame. The entire film features classic black-and-white visuals and playful special effects, often used purely for gags. The playful effects include fake bats on strings, ships making buzzing sounds clearly produced by someone using their mouth, old-style costumes, and- most importantly for horror fans- extreme, practical effects violence, complete with ridiculous blood splatter. There are plenty of scenes filled with guts and gizzards, all done deliberately for comedic effect.
Cameos, Classic References, and Retro Realism
Fans of cult horror will be pleasantly surprised by the various cameos throughout the film, including Judith O’Dea as Vampira and Lloyd Kaufman as a public masturbator- yes, you read that right. On top of this, there are countless references and nods to classic films. The film’s outstanding makeup and costume work is so convincing that many viewers may genuinely believe it was made decades ago.
Outrageous Comedy and Standout Performances
The plot is outrageous, and the film goes all in with no holds barred. The plot is about… well, it is right there in the title. This movie fully commits to everything silly and goofy, with absolutely no restraint. There are plenty of lines of dialogue that will make you chuckle and grin. The vast majority of the cast is fully committed, particularly Dracula (Craig Gloster), especially in his interactions with his son, Dylan (Robert Kemeny). That said, aside from Dracula, some of the leading performances are slightly weaker than those of several side characters. Standout performances included Wayne, played by Oliver Georgiou, and Chief Ed Clarke, played by Andrew Bee. Both delivered excellent one-liners while maintaining a deadpan expression reminiscent of the performances in The Naked Gun franchise.
Fast-Paced Start, Uneven Midsection, and a Chaotic Climax
While the opening is an absolute ripper and the plot is set in motion quickly, the pacing later becomes uneven. The film is packed with characters who may or may not survive the looming battle that could determine Earth’s fate. Although the climax is loud, wild, and fun, there is a moment beforehand that drags and slows things down. Even with a 98-minute runtime, the film feels longer.
A Ridiculously Fun Tribute to Classic Horror and Sci-Fi
Vampire Zombies… from Space! (2025) will be Available on Digital in Australian & New Zealand from December 24th!
Published: 17th December 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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