User reviews

Lauren Hutton is a vampire simply named "The Countess" who must bite a virgin three times per year (ending on Halloween) in order to retain her youth and beauty. However, living in California in the mid-1980s, it's becoming impossible to find a virgin.

This is a horror comedy that's not exactly atmospheric, thrilling or suspenseful (it's also completely free of gore), and not exactly hilarious. Rather, it's just a very lighthearted, mostly enjoyable film that happens to be about vampires, although it's primarily interesting for a one of the earliest, pre-fame appearances of Jim Carrey, and for nostalgia, as Once Bitten is firmly mired in mid-1980s pop culture.

The biggest flaw is that the mythology behind the film is not very well explained or followed. The Countess finds Mark Kendall (Carrey) fairly easily, but we're not shown her and her clan looking very hard until just before Halloween--they had all year. We're never told if the clan has to follow the same rules. It doesn't seem so in the end, but why not? It's never very clear why The Countess can't just go after, say, an eleven year old. When things are getting down to the wire near the climax of the film, there are other virgins around, but The Countess just ignores them as potential drinking fountains of youth. It seems like maybe she has to bite the same person, rather than three potentially different people, three times, but that's never directly stated. How long does it have to be between bites? Why couldn't she just bite the one person twice, then bite someone else three times within a few hours?

Although I don't usually like to try to apply real world logic to films, in this case, I couldn't help it. Once Bitten isn't meant solely as a comedy, and there is a long sequence during the climax that should be as suspenseful as it is humorous. But the suspense was gone, because all I could think of where the questions above instead. To make it worse, the timeline of the film gets a bit muddled, and we lose any sense of when Halloween night is actually occurring. At one point, during a Halloween dance, that seems like that should be Halloween night, but then it seems like Halloween should be over already at a later point. At that later point, it seems like the dance must have been on a different, earlier day. That this crucial fact for suspense in the film isn't clear is a problem. Once Bitten suffers from sloppy scriptwriting and sloppy direction from Howard Storm, whose resume shows that he's much more comfortable with half-hour television sitcoms.

But if one can overlook some of those flaws, Once Bitten is worth at least one viewing. Carrey's performance is good. He easily shows why he became a star in later films. His transformation over the course of the film is great, and a scene with Carrey in full vampire make-up and clothing makes one long to see a serious vampire film with him as a star. I also liked the ice cream truck and took it as a nod to Phantasm (1979). There are enough comic moments that most viewers will at least be occasionally smiling, if not laughing out loud. A scene where Mark's friends are trying to check him for evidence of vampirism is a standout, as is much of the material where Mark and his friends interact. Carrey's scenes with his parents are even better, but there are too few of them. Both Hutton and Karen Kopins (as Mark's girlfriend, Robin) are sensuous. The Countess' vampire clan is severely underused, but they are okay when they do appear. And even the obligatory mid-80s music video/dance scene is mostly tolerable.

I also enjoyed the subtext that sex is a means of protection from evil, rather than something dangerous to be avoided. Robin's attitude about Mark's relationships was also a nice change of pace.

This is definitely a film that needs to be approached with lowered expectations, but in the right mood, you just might enjoy it.

In Los Angeles, the virgin college student Mark Kendall (Jim Carrey) is unsuccessfully trying to get into his girlfriend Robin Pierce (Karen Kopins) paints. He decides to go to a bar in Hollywood with his also virgin friends Russ (Skip Lackey) and Jamie (Thomas Ballatore) to flirt and score. Meanwhile, the 400 year-old vampire Countess (Lauren Hutton) and her driver and butler Sebastian (Cleavon Little) are seeking out a virgin lad to keep her beauty and youth appearance. The Countess needs to feed three times on a virgin before the Halloween that is close otherwise she will look older. When the Countess stumbles with Mark in the bar, she brings Mark home and seduces him. Mark changes his behavior and soon he realizes that he is turning into a vampire. Is there any chance to save Mark?

"Once Bitten" is one of my favorite movies ever and I do not know how many times I have watched it. The plot is very funny and Lauren Hutton is impressively beautiful and sexy. This movie for me is another gem from the 80's, maybe one of the best decades of the American Cinema history. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Procura-se Rapaz Virgem" ("Seeking a Virgin Lad")

A vampire Countess (Lauren Hutton) needs to drink the blood of a virgin in order to keep her eternal beauty. It seems that all is hopeless, until she bumps into Mark Kendall (Jim Carrey).

While "Fright Night" is often considered a modern classic by horror fans, this film -- which came out around the same time -- is probably not as well known. And why not? The humor is decent and a young Jim Carrey (with exquisite dance scene) makes this historically important in some small way.

I should say something about the film's treatment of homosexuality. However, I am unsure of what to write. The film seems to have some anti-gay bias (especially with the shower scene), but maybe that is a misunderstanding. Indeed, it might just be presenting what might have been a realistic response from teenage boys in the 1980s...

starring: Lauren Hutton, Jim Carrey, Karen Kopins, Thomas Ballatore, and Skip Lackey.

plot: The sexy vampire, Countess (Lauren Hutton) needs to drink the blood of a virgin three times before Halloween. Mark (Jim Carrey) is bored in his relationship with his girlfriend Robin (Karen Kopins) because she doesn't want to have sex. So Mark takes his two buddies Jamie (Thomas Ballatore) and Russ (Skip Lackey) to Hollywood to find some chicks to have a one night stand with. Mark meets Countess and she gets him drunk, he thinks he's having a one night stand but she drinks his blood once. When Mark, Jamie, and Russ go back to town Countess follows them. She finds Mark and drinks his blood a second time, then she starts following him to get a third. Soon, Robin, Jamie, and Russ find out that he is slowly turning into a vampire. Then, Mark is captured on the night before Halloween. Will Robin, Jamie, and Russ save Mark in time?

This comedy/horror about a sexy vampire searching for a virgin is fun to watch! This movie is hilarious and well written, and has lots of fun cheesy 80's music.

Once Bitten is a fun and enjoyable comedy vampire flick. Reveling on the alluring number 3 and hellbent on going all the way for a home run it stars the holy trinity of Carrey, Hutton and Little in humorous and lovable roles. The story revolves around the vampire Countess (Hutton) and her need for a blood transfusion from a virgin. No bite in the neck, but further down is required. She's guided and aided by the brilliant Sebastian (Little) with a certain feminine twist that makes for many laughs. Juxtaposed to this duo of (very light) darkness we find a trio of restless youngsters and the protagonist of the movie - Mark (Carrey) who is trying so hard to get to fourth base with his girlfriend but not getting anywhere. He tries to metaphorically go to third base at a drive-in movie when the gear stick gets in the way of the couple and he says "Here, let me put it in third...". That's all he manages to do tho and they sit and watch the movie while all the other cars around start to bounce one after the other. Frustrated and let down he is talked into going to town to get...sorry... 'meet' girls with his two comic relief friends and soon enough he meets the countess and she lures him into her Hollywood mansion to get the first of three blood transfusions in order to retain her good looks. From there on strange and humorous things start to happen to the main character. It's a definitive 80's movie for sure. It's lighthearted and fun and if you expect some serious vampire business and action you will be sorely let down but if you're expecting comedy, teen desires, Carrey and light entertainment you will have a very enjoyable hour and a half of pure 80's nostalgia with a twist and you won't regret seeing it.

Jim Carrey plays frustrated teenage virgin Mark Kendall, who is unable to talk his long-time girlfriend Robin (the lovely Karen Kopins) into going all the way. Mark is convinced by two friends—even bigger losers in the love department—to pay a visit to West Hollywood where they believe they might be able to score with a woman. In a dating bar, Mark meets the sexy Countess (Lauren Hutton) who invites him back to her place, unaware that his new acquaintance is a vampire who needs to feed three times from a virgin before Halloween to retain her youthfulness.

Everybody has to start somewhere. For Jim Carrey, an illustrious career as a leading comedy star started with Once Bitten, a not-particularly-funny vampire comedy that displays little evidence of the performer's trademark madcap style. Fortunately, despite very few genuine laughs, the film's amiable approach and 80s trappings still make it a reasonably fun viewing—harmless nonsense for when there's nothing better to watch. Helping to pass the time less painfully: a fun dance sequence at the High School Halloween Hop, and a scene in the school shower that is actually pretty amusing just so long as you're not bothered by un-PC humour.

This is a pretty bad 80's teen sex comedy with a vampire slant. It ‘s main attraction is an early appearance by Jim Carrey before he became a big star. Unfortunately the filmmakers seem unwilling to take advantage of his comic talents, forcing him to play it straight most of the time… What makes this even worse are the rich opportunities for him to exploit his particular brand of silliness in a movie with this premise… I mean, Jim Carrey turning into a vampire… that has potential., but for the most part, that potential is untapped.

However there are a few places where Carrey is allowed to showcase his comic abilities, and his talent is apparent… Particularly in a VERY ridiculous dance scene that has to rank right up there as one of the silliest (or stupidest) dance scenes I have ever encountered. This sequence is so crazy that I would almost recommend the movie based purely on the dance scene.

The rest of the movie is mostly bland and not so enjoyable… Lauren Hutton is a looker, but her part is pretty weak here. Carrey's two nerdy friends are supposed to provide most of the comic relief, but they aren't very funny. The story moves along very predictably and there is little or no urgency. It's not the kind of movie that makes you want to turn off the TV, but it's pretty forgettable.

Still…. It does have the dance scene, and there is a certain 80's nostalgia factor. It's worth watching if you catch it on TV and you have some time to kill.

Exploiting the typical male teen's desperate attempt to lose his virginity, 'Once Bitten' is a light comedy from the teen horror comedy catalog of the 1980s, though not as funny as say, 'My Best Friend is a Vampire,' nor as satirical as 'My Boyfriend's Back' (a 90s comedy). In part, the comedy is never too adventurous with comedic quips, and instead, carries with it for some parts in the movie, a rather unnecessarily serious mood.

Lauren Hutton plays the sleek, voluptuous Countess, a vampire desperate for virgin blood in order to sustain her youth. Lucky for her, she is conveniently on the prowl at a Hollywood night club the same time that high school teen Mark Kendall (Jim Carrey) and his two buddies arrive for a guys night out. Mark might think he's about to lose his virginity, but instead, finds himself in a whole lot of trouble once he falls into the seductive clutches of the Countess. He displays all the symptoms of a vampire: irritability, pale complexion, a sudden lust for rare meat, and a newfound love for all-black attire. But, his "first time" with the Countess will by no means his last as she follows him around town and haunts his dreams (I guess, they're really light male teen eroticism) as she intends to complete whatever vampire ritual will sustain her youth permanently.

It's a nice comedy, worth of a lazy noon viewing, and particularly for fans of the cult horror comedy. But, as far as vampires and desperate teen virgins go, I would highly recommend 'My Best Friend is a Vampire.'

Once Bitten, a comedy/vampire adventure that would later provide the grounds for Buffy, is little more than a field for Carrey to display his talents. I bought the video at a music store for two dollars, and it was worth that amount. Anymore, and I might have been ripped off. The movie, based on the 80's coming-of-age theme, sex, had very trite writing. Most of the acting, with the exceptions of Carrey and Little, seemed forced and scripted. The most pleasure I derived from watching this flick, however, was the chance to see Carrey before all the money and fame got to him.

Jim Carrey is hilarious and this is just the beginning of the stars career. It's plot is nothing special and the acting is alright but Jim makes this movie. You will need to see this movie if you are a fan of Jim's. This is a great film and definitely classic for 80's film. Check this film out soon. It is a winner.

Most of us think that Jim Carrey started out in lead roles in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective". Well, here's an interesting flick from the mid-1980s with the man known for butt-talking getting second billing, and he could easily get top billing. He plays high school student Mark Kendall, who has a one-night fling with a woman (Lauren Hutton) who turns out to be a vampire; she has to keep drinking blood to maintain her youth. And when she drinks Mark's blood, she doesn't bite his neck, if you know what I mean! Overall, "Once Bitten" is nothing special, but it's pretty funny, for what it is. I guess that you just can't go wrong when you mix vampires and comedy. And Lauren Hutton was hot, as always.

Unbelievable. Witless, coarse, crude, offensive, horrendously directed... This was produced by Samuel Goldwyn Jr. His father had been one of the two 'classiest' producers in old Hollywood; he not only made many superb dramas -- "prestige pictures", they used to call the type of dramas he'd make -- he also made excellent comedies, and he'd hired the very best writers and directors (Billy Wilder, George S. Kaufman, Howard Hawks. etc.) to make them. He must have turned over in his grave to see his name connected with this garbage.

The director has zero idea of how to make a scene 'cook', to develop chemistry between his actors, to bring out whatever humor there might be in a situation... nothing. He seems to have spent most of his career grinding out sitcom episodes -- second-rate ones, at that -- which is a very different thing than doing what Hawks or Wilder or McCarey did. The climactic chase is embarrassing even by boneheaded-'80's-comedy standards. This seems to be his only feature-directing credit, and you can see why.

Re the cast, Jim Carrey does the best he can, but he is obviously hamstrung by a director who told him to just do the script as written, like television -- and the script as written was just awful. Cleavon Little is wasted. The only saving grace is Lauren Hutton, who is sexy as hell and seems to be having a good time despite everything.

It's also fun as a time capsule of its era -- the clothes, the music, etc. But outside of that and Lauren Hutton, it's an utter stinkeroo.

A Hilarious 80's teen sex comedy!

Jim Carrey hasn't been as funny in a film since. He manages to get plenty of laughs with his performance without going over the top the way he tends to do today. My favorite part is where Robin and the Countess have a dance-off over Mark at the Halloween dance to the very appropriate and silly song "Hands Off, He belongs to me"! And though slightly homophobic by today's standards were the comments by Carrey's sidekicks, "We're Rump Rangers", and the "Fags in the Shower" exclamations however, it all seemed in good fun.

Karen Kopins was really good as Mark's long-suffering girlfriend and held her own well against Carrey. She should've had a better career. I really miss the 80's teen movie genre, and the lighthearted take these films had on a generation.

A must see on Halloween if you're looking to lighten the load from the usual slasher films that always get shown.

Not only is it rarely funny, but the vampire thing seems to be a metaphor for some sort of morality tale about sexual deviance. Mark is infected with vampirism when he leaves his girlfriend to go looking for sex elsewhere, and his only chance of salvation is monogamy. They also throw in a little homophobia for emphasis.

Only notable as an early JIm Carrey film, where he gets to try out his formula of charm and rubber-facedness.

This film is very much a product of its time. There are a bunch of things that don't really make sense and are confusing by today's standards, but that generally just adds to the wacky 80s fun.

This also works against the film however depending on how you look at it since throwaway jokes now seem like cutting-edge risqué humour, which will either offend or delight.

Overall this film is nothing special, but it is fun and definitely worth watching if you are looking for some classic 80s film making.

(I'll be brief because this movie doesn't merit more.) Once Bitten tries to be a funny, clever, hip, and sexy movie - and fails in every aspect. Yet the attempts to make it such are so contrived and exaggerated, it will make you laugh anyway. Watch it with this premise and you may enjoy it.

This is the first film in which I ever saw Jim Carrey. I told all my friends they just had to see it (back in '86).... I said, "Pay attention to the guy who plays Mark Kendall. He's the only one who could act in the whole film, and he's gonna go places." Boy, did he ever! Carrey plays the innocent Mark Kendall with charm and sweetness. His virginal girlfriend, who has been stringing him along for quite some time, is just not ready for "going all the way". What's a young, red-blooded, American teen supposed to do?? Well, Mark's friends have the answer: go to a single's bar, of course! Not only does Mark meet one hot woman, he goes home with her. Strange, though, he can't seem to remember it at all... He's changing, and not for the better. What's gotten into this sweet, naive fellow? It's a typical 80's movie. Watch out for big hair and dancing. And Carrey was sweet in this role. Don't expect the wild and crazy guy many have come to know and love on screen. (This is pre-"In Living Color"/"Ace Ventura".) Look on it as a retrospective! (and if you don't find the movie itself funny, it's also easy to make fun of...) Enjoy!

Vampire truisms vary from movie to movie. In this version, a female vampire named Countess (Lauren Hutton) needs to suck the blood of a virgin male three separate times before Halloween in order to stay youthful. Mark Kendall (Jim Carrey) is the object of her appetite as he's been sexually thwarted by his girlfriend for four years. Mark and his GF, Robin (Karen Kopins), are the sweetest throwbacks. They look and sound like they stepped right out of a 50's sitcom. Mark was an "awe shucks" away from being Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver.

This ridiculously unamusing movie shows Mark as the dedicated boyfriend that is afraid of the woman that's heavily pursuing him. He's nothing more than a square, scared, high schooler who is way out of his element with any woman.

The movie conjured up one dumb scenario after another while Mark was slowly transforming after being bitten. Would he be bit three times or will he be able to escape the vampiress? It's nothing real compelling. I didn't care one way or the other. If he was bitten three times he's a virgin vampire and has to change his sleeping habits. If he avoided the three bites then he could lead his straight and narrow life and maybe even finally score with his girlfriend. I had no interest in either outcome.

Jim Carey is at the height of his comedic powers in this truly delightful romp. With hilarious support from Cleavon Little (his best work since Blazing Saddles) and a surprising effective Lauren Hutton, Carey's encounters with a beautiful, seductive vampire are downright sidesplitting. Directed quite creatively by someone who understands comedy, Howard Shore, and written by an inspired David Hines, there is never a dull moment (nor a serious one) as this movie moves along at a breakneck pace. The lovely and talented Karen Kopins holds her own in this superb cast and delivers one of the funniest performances of her career in the role of Carey's virginic girlfriend. Special mention should be made of the hip musical score and the imaginative set design as well. All in all, this rates as one of Jim Carey's best films and one that will tickle the funny bone of general audiences as well as fans.

An 80's comedy that was bad when it debuted. The comedy is juvenile and obvious combined with poor acting. Age has not done it any favours and it is cringeworthy. Unfortunately it can't even creep into the category of "so bad it's good".

Hi Im 14 Years Old And Once Bitten Is A Great Jim Carrey Movie. It Is Funny Too! Once Bitten Is About This Female Vampire (Laurene Hutton) Who Comes To Life Looking For A Virgin And It Is Mark (Jim Carrey) She Is After! If You Are A Big Fan Of Jim Carrey Like I Am You Will Love This Movie! -Jeremy