Silly Doesn’t Mean Sloppy; This Movie Knows the Difference

Read Time:5 Minute, 13 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Vampire Zombies…from Space!
–

Genre: Horror, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 2024, Cleopatra Entertainment Blu-ray 2026
Runtime: 1h 38m
Director(s): Michael Stasko
Writer(s): Michael Stasko, Jakob Skrzypa, Alex Forman
Cast: Jessica Antovski, Andrew Bee, Simon Reynolds, Jakob Skrzypa, Judith O’Dea, Lloyd Kaufman, David Liebe Hart
Where to Watch: available January 20, 2026, pre-order your copy here: www.cleorecs.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: VAMPIRE ZOMBIES… FROM SPACE! doesn’t pretend to be accidentally outrageous. It knows exactly what it is, and, more importantly, why it exists. This is a horror-comedy built out of deep affection for mid-century drive-in schlock, filtered through a modern sensibilities that understand parody only works when the filmmakers respect the material they’re poking fun at. The title alone signals an intent, but the movie backs it up with confidence, consistency, and a surprising amount of control.

Set in a fictional small town under siege, the film leans hard into 1950s genre archetypes: the determined young woman haunted by past trauma, the hardened authority figures piecing together impossible clues, the outsider with more heart than sense, and the looming supernatural threat that escalates from odd occurrences to outright apocalypse. The vampire’s plan to transform the town into a vampire-zombie army is intentionally absurd, but the movie takes the stakes seriously within its own rules. That logic is what keeps the comedy from collapsing into randomness. The humor works because the characters never behave as if they’re in on the joke.

Michael Stasko’s direction is the glue holding this balancing act together. Deliberately making something that looks and feels “bad” is far more difficult than it sounds, and VAMPIRE ZOMBIES… FROM SPACE! succeeds because the craftsmanship underneath the rough edges is real. The black-and-white cinematography, the exaggerated performances, and the intentionally crude effects all feel curated rather than careless. Nothing here looks or feels like a shortcut. The visual style gives the film permission to be theatrical while also reinforcing the retro atmosphere it satirizes.

The script understands that parody lives in specificity. Rather than simply mocking old sci-fi horror for being dated or silly, it zeroes in on the genre’s recurring obsessions: blind authority, moral panic, masculine pretentiousness, and the way entire towns seem one radio broadcast away from total collapse. The jokes hit not because they’re chaotic, but because they’re pointed. Even when the humor veers into the juvenile, it still feels aligned with the film’s world instead of working against it.

Jessica Antovski anchors the movie as Mary MacDowell, a character who could’ve easily been reduced to a trope. Instead, she gives Mary enough grounding to justify the audience staying invested beyond the jokes. Her performance walks a fine line between earnest and heightened, which is exactly what the film needs. Andrew Bee and Simon Reynolds provide strong counterweights as authority figures navigating increasingly absurd circumstances without ever breaking character. Jakob Skrzypa’s greaser injects anarchic energy into the ensemble, acting as both a wildcard and unlikely emotional center.

Judith O’Dea’s presence taps directly into horror history without feeling like a novelty, while Lloyd Kaufman’s appearance is exactly what it should be: outrageous and perfectly aligned with the film’s purpose. David Liebe Hart’s contribution adds to the movie’s oddball charm, reinforcing that this is a production embracing weirdness without apologizing for it.

The miniature work, practical gore, and intentionally visible effects all play into the joke while still delivering a wonderful spectacle. There’s a real pleasure in watching a movie that understands its limitations and uses them creatively rather than trying to hide them. The editing leans into abrupt transitions and exaggerated timing, which enhances the comedy and keeps the pace moving even when individual gags don’t fully land.

The film’s enthusiasm sometimes outpaces its restraint, which can soften the punch of moments that might’ve landed harder with a bit more discipline. The finale, in particular, leans fully into its own insanity and rewards the audience for sticking along for the ride. It’s the kind of ending that understands escalation is part of the fun, pushing the concept just far enough without losing coherence.

VAMPIRE ZOMBIES… FROM SPACE! works because it’s made by people who love genre cinema and trust the audience to get the joke without being spoon-fed irony. It’s intentionally goofy, crude, and far smarter than it initially lets on. This is the kind of movie that thrives in midnight screenings and repeat viewings, where familiarity only enhances the absurdity. It may not be flawless, but it’s confident, committed, and crafted with care. For fans of retro horror, satire, and movies that understand that “bad” can be a deliberate aesthetic choice rather than a failure, this one delivers exactly what it promises.

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of CLEOPATRA ENTERTAINMENT, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive complimentary items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl Records, Books, and more. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.