Vampires Suck
Becca, an anxious, non-vampire teen is torn between two boys. Before she can choose, Becca must get around her controlling father, who treats her like a child. Meanwhile, Becca's friends contend with their own romantic issues – all of which collide at the prom.
Despite a respectable budget of $20.0M, Vampires Suck became a financial success, earning $80.5M worldwide—a 303% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Vampires Suck (2010) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Aaron Seltzer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 22 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Becca Crane arrives in Sporks, a small rainy town, to live with her father. She's an awkward, sullen teenager narrating her miserable existence in voiceover, establishing her as an outsider seeking something more.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Edward saves Becca from being crushed by a van using superhuman strength, stopping it with his hand. This impossible act reveals that Edward is not human and pulls Becca into a supernatural world.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Becca actively chooses to be with Edward despite knowing he's a vampire who could kill her. She declares her love and commitment, saying "I don't care what you are." This conscious decision to enter the vampire world marks her point of no return., moving from reaction to action.
At 40 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat At a vampire baseball game, three nomadic vampires (Daro, Jack-and-the-box, and Iris) arrive and catch Becca's human scent. Daro becomes obsessed with hunting Becca, turning the romance into a life-or-death chase. The stakes dramatically increase., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 60 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Daro lures Becca to a trap by threatening her father. Becca goes alone to face him, accepting she will likely die. Daro attacks and bites her, injecting venom that will either kill her or turn her into a vampire. This is her darkest moment of helplessness and impending death., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 65 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Edward successfully saves Becca by removing the venom, choosing her humanity over the easier path of letting her turn. This synthesis of his vampire nature with genuine love allows him to control himself. Becca realizes that true love means protecting someone's authentic self, not changing them., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Vampires Suck's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Vampires Suck against these established plot points, we can identify how Aaron Seltzer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Vampires Suck within the comedy genre.
Aaron Seltzer's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Aaron Seltzer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Vampires Suck exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Aaron Seltzer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Aaron Seltzer analyses, see Date Movie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Becca Crane arrives in Sporks, a small rainy town, to live with her father. She's an awkward, sullen teenager narrating her miserable existence in voiceover, establishing her as an outsider seeking something more.
Theme
Becca's friend Jennifer warns her about the dangerous yet attractive Edward Sullen, stating "You shouldn't be with someone just because they're hot and dangerous." This thematic statement questions superficial attraction versus genuine connection.
Worldbuilding
Becca starts school and becomes infatuated with the pale, mysterious Edward Sullen. She learns about the rival groups (vampires and werewolves), meets Jacob the shirtless werewolf, and experiences Edward's strange behavior of attraction and repulsion in biology class.
Disruption
Edward saves Becca from being crushed by a van using superhuman strength, stopping it with his hand. This impossible act reveals that Edward is not human and pulls Becca into a supernatural world.
Resistance
Becca investigates Edward's true nature, researching vampires online and confronting him. Edward reveals he's a vampire, demonstrates his powers, and warns her of the danger. Becca debates whether to pursue this deadly relationship despite warnings from friends and her own common sense.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Becca actively chooses to be with Edward despite knowing he's a vampire who could kill her. She declares her love and commitment, saying "I don't care what you are." This conscious decision to enter the vampire world marks her point of no return.
Mirror World
Edward brings Becca to meet his vampire family, the Sullens. This subplot introduces the "vegetarian vampire" lifestyle and the possibility of controlling one's nature, mirroring the theme of choosing substance over superficial danger.
Premise
Becca and Edward's romance flourishes with typical vampire-human relationship activities: flying through trees, attending prom planning, Edward sneaking into her room at night. The fun and games of a paranormal romance play out with comedic parody elements.
Midpoint
At a vampire baseball game, three nomadic vampires (Daro, Jack-and-the-box, and Iris) arrive and catch Becca's human scent. Daro becomes obsessed with hunting Becca, turning the romance into a life-or-death chase. The stakes dramatically increase.
Opposition
The Sullen family works to protect Becca from Daro's hunting. Becca is sent away to hide, Jacob and the werewolves offer protection, and tensions rise between all parties. Daro closes in, proving more cunning and dangerous than expected. Becca's choices endanger everyone she loves.
Collapse
Daro lures Becca to a trap by threatening her father. Becca goes alone to face him, accepting she will likely die. Daro attacks and bites her, injecting venom that will either kill her or turn her into a vampire. This is her darkest moment of helplessness and impending death.
Crisis
Edward arrives and fights Daro, ultimately destroying him. However, Becca is dying from the vampire venom spreading through her body. Edward must suck the venom out without killing her or turning her, a nearly impossible task that could cost Becca her humanity or her life.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Edward successfully saves Becca by removing the venom, choosing her humanity over the easier path of letting her turn. This synthesis of his vampire nature with genuine love allows him to control himself. Becca realizes that true love means protecting someone's authentic self, not changing them.
Synthesis
Becca recovers and attends prom with Edward. Jacob attempts to win her back, and various subplot resolutions occur. The finale includes the revelation that Iris (Daro's partner) is still seeking revenge, setting up future conflict, but Becca and Edward commit to facing threats together.
Transformation
At prom, Becca and Edward dance together, now equals in their relationship rather than predator and prey. Becca narrates that she's no longer the sullen outsider from the opening but someone who chose love despite danger and survived, transformed by having made authentic choices rather than superficial ones.