''Vampire Assassin'' is a 2005

direct-to-DVD Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, television series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strateg ...

film directed, written by, and starring martial artist Ron Hall. The film is notable for its cameo from

Rudy Ray Moore Rudolph Frank Moore (March 17, 1927October 19, 2008), known as Rudy Ray Moore, was an American comedian, singer, actor, and film producer.protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a ...

Derek Washington (Hall) was just a child, he witnessed his father's murder. Because of this, he became very afraid of blood. However, when a sting operation to find a counterfeiter named Gustoff Slovak (

Mel Novak Milan Mrdjenovich (, ''Milan Mrđenović''; June 16, 1934 – April 9, 2025), known as Mel Novak, was an American actor who was best known for villainous roles in '' Black Belt Jones'', ''Game of Death'', and '' An Eye for an Eye''. He was also k ...

) goes wrong, Derek is forced to face his fear: blood. The operation backfires, resulting in a massacre that leaves Derek's team wiped out. Derek reaches the shocking conclusion that Slovak is actually a

vampire A vampire is a mythical creature that subsists by feeding on the Vitalism, vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead, undead humanoid creatures that often visited loved ones and c ...

, and joins forces with a weapons expert named Master Kao (

Gerald Okamura Gerald Okamura (born 1940) is an American actor, martial artist, and stuntman, known for appearing in numerous action films. He has acted in both mainstream blockbusters like ''Big Trouble in Little China'' and B-movies such as ''Samurai Cop''. ...

). Kao is the last in a long line of vampire hunters, and agrees to train Derek in this ancient art of vampire slaying. However, in order to defeat Slovak, Derek must become a vampire assassin.

Legacy

In 2017, the film was featured on a Halloween-themed episode of

Red Letter Media Red Letter Media, LLC is an American film and video production company operated by independent filmmakers Mike Stoklasa, Jay Bauman, and Rich Evans. It was formed by Stoklasa in 2004 while he was living in the Scottsdale section of Ashburn, Chicag ...

's ''Best of the Worst'', together with '' Hack-O-Lantern'' and '' Cathy's Curse''. The film was poorly received, with the hosts noting its misleading cover art and low production value, and comparing it unfavorably to the film ''

Blade A blade is the Sharpness (cutting), sharp, cutting portion of a tool, weapon, or machine, specifically designed to puncture, chop, slice, or scrape surfaces or materials. Blades are typically made from materials that are harder than those they a ...

''. The episode concluded with the hosts destroying their copies of the film in a skit parodying a scene from ''Hack-O-Lantern''.

References

External links

* * 2005 direct-to-video films 2005 horror films Films shot in Los Angeles American independent films American vampire films 2005 films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films English-language horror films American mockbuster films {{2000s-horror-film-stub