The film follows the story of Rose Hathaway (Zoey Deutch), a Dhampir, who is training to become a guardian to her best friend Lissa Dragomir (Lucy Fry), a member of the royal Moroi vampire family. As they navigate through their lives at St. Vladimir’s Academy, they face numerous challenges including the threat of the Strigoi, a vampire race that feeds on both humans and Moroi.
The film’s setting goes beyond the walls of the Academy and delves into the wider world of vampires. The film brings to life the conflict between the Moroi and Strigoi, as well as the dynamics between the Moroi and their Dhampir guardians. The two groups are dependent on one another for protection, with Moroi needing guardians to protect them from Strigoi attacks, and guardians needing Moroi to provide them with the blood they require to survive.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its casting, with Deutch and Fry delivering excellent performances as the two leads. Deutch, in particular, captures the essence of Rose’s character, bringing her to life with a lively and quirky personality. Kozlovsky’s portrayal of Dimitri, Rose’s mentor, also adds to the depth of the film’s characters.
Another strength of the film is its use of humor. Vampire Academy offers a light-hearted and playful take on the vampire genre that has become somewhat formulaic in recent years. The film’s humor adds a much-needed break from the intensity of the conflict it portrays, and allows the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
Despite its strengths, the film did not fare well at the box office, grossing just over $15 million globally against a production budget of $30 million. Critics also gave the film mixed reviews, with many criticizing its pacing and overuse of the source material.
However, this does not mean that the film should not be appreciated for what it is. Vampire Academy is a fun, entertaining fantasy film that is well worth watching for fans of the genre. It offers a fresh take on the vampire genre, and its use of humor makes it stand out from other films in this category.
Overall, Vampire Academy is a solid adaptation of Richelle Mead’s novel series that delivers a fun and enjoyable movie experience. While it may not have achieved box office success or critical acclaim, it remains an excellent addition to the vampire genre that is well worth watching.