In this hugely entertaining horror spoof, teenage B-movie buff William Ragsdale becomes convinced that new neighbour Chris Sarandon is a vampire responsible for a spate of brutal killings. Only when best pal Stephen Geoffreys has become Sarandon's slave and girlfriend Amanda Bearse has also fallen under his spell does Ragsdale succeed in enlisting the help of "fearless" TV vampire hunter Roddy McDowall to end Sarandon's reign of terror. Neatly parodying Hitchcock and John Hughes movies, writer/director Tom Holland litters his rattling story with as many laughs as jolts. He is well served by his cast, notably Sarandon and McDowall, who ham with gusto.

Charley Brewster, a high school student, accidentally discovers the true and creepy nature of Jerry Dandrige, his dashing and enigmatic new neighbor; but no one seems willing to believe him.