Blood is thicker than water, so they say, and for the Baxter family, this takes on a whole new meaning in Phil Messerer’s horror/comedy Oops! You’re A Vampire.

Twin sisters Lara (Ellis Cahill) and Helen (Devon Bailey) are total opposites – Lara’s style is completely goth, and she spends the majority of her time being annoyed by everyone and everything, while Helen’s good girl exterior shines through in her demeanor, clothing, and activities. Lara’s disdain for her sister is evident right from the get-go, and it’s clear that Helen is favored by their devout, Bulgarian mother (JoJo Hristova), which doesn’t help the animosity between the twins. There’s also wayward older brother Raymond (Michael Strelow), who aspires to be a doctor, but tries to keep to himself and out of the way of his constantly feuding sisters.

When Lara isn’t brooding in a corner or tormenting her siblings, she’s partaking in all the stereotypical goth activities, like walking through cemeteries, and visiting the local metaphysical shop. When her frustration with her supposedly perfect sister comes to a head, Lara decides to cast a vengeful spell on her – the results of which are catastrophic and deadly for Helen. The guilt-ridden Lara is left to stew in the ramifications of her decisions…that is, until Helen returns from the dead, covered in blood that isn’t hers, and acting very strangely. 

Utilizing his medical studies background, Raymond determines that Helen suffers from a rare blood disorder that isn’t classified in any textbook. Translation: she’s now a vampire. It’s up to Lara, Raymond, and their mother to help keep Helen’s secret safe, while also attempting in vain to provide her with enough sustenance to survive. The only problem: Helen is a Vegan, and wants no part in devouring humans, which are of course, the main factor in her continuing to be a mortal blood-sucking monster.

The vampire genre is undoubtedly an oversaturated one, and in order to stand out, you’ve got to bring something new to the table. Oops! You’re A Vampire takes the common “mortal human suddenly turns into a vampire” trope and turns it on its head by offering up a story that’s an even mixture of comedy, drama, and horror. It adds in enough family drama and lightheartedness to make this more horror adjacent than pure horror, but also sprinkles in some good old fashioned gore and kills to satiate fans of the macabre.

At its core, this is a story about a family who is willing to do anything for their own in the wake of tragedy, and also forms a deeper bond in the process. Don’t be mistaken, though – this is a movie with the proper amount of gore to make it feel like a real vampire flick. It’s just a deeper, more fun take, which in turn makes it unique.

The performances from the three female leads are also all strong, and it’s refreshing to see a portrayal of women who can be tough, but also sensitive, and devoted, but also reticent and focused. These are characters who have true arcs that are believable and engaging.

Words can’t be minced here, though. This is undeniably a low budget production, and the sound and video quality reflect this, unfortunately. Thankfully, the story itself is strong enough to help this be overlooked, and regardless of the quality of the camera work and effects, most horror fans will find this an enjoyable watch.