Released at the height of Twilight fever, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (2009) tried to launch the next big YA franchise — and fell flat on its face. We’re going back to the circus to ask why this fantasy oddity vanished into the shadows.

Based on Darren Shan’s bestselling YA novels, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (2009) follows teenager Darren, who stumbles into a hidden world of vampires and sideshow outcasts after making a fateful pact with the mysterious Larten Crepsley. Directed by Paul Weitz and starring John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, and Chris Massoglia, the film arrived during Hollywood’s rush to capture the Twilight audience. Instead of launching a franchise, it struggled at the box office and quickly disappeared from the cultural conversation.

How Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant blends gothic vampires with carnival spectacle — and why it doesn’t quite work.

The challenges of adapting Darren Shan’s sprawling book series into one movie.

John C. Reilly’s surprising turn as a vampire mentor and the mixed performances around him.

The Machine’s breakdown of box office results and critical reception for the film.

A few unexpected tangents, including the strange timing of the YA vampire boom.

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Tags: Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, 2009, Weitz, Reilly, Hutcherson, Massoglia, Fantasy, Vampire, YA