Watch Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead is a 2009 independent comedy-horror film directed by Jordan Galland. The film stars Jake Hoffman, Devon Aoki, John Ventimiglia, Ralph Macchio, Kris Lemche, and Joey Kern, among other talented actors. This unique film takes the classic world of Shakespeare's Hamlet and merges it with the vampire genre, with a dash of comedy to create a fresh and entertaining take on both.

The film begins with an adaptation of Hamlet's opening scene, where Bernardo encounters a ghost on the ramparts of Elsinore castle. In Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead, the ghost is revealed to be a vampire, and we are introduced to Julian Marsh (Ralph Macchio), a modern-day director who has staged a production of Hamlet that has been plagued with problems. Marsh decides to hire Julian (Jake Hoffman), an unemployed and unskilled actor, to direct a new version of the play. Julian, eager to impress Marsh and his love interest, Anna (Devon Aoki), takes on the task but soon realizes that his leading men, Rosencrantz (Kris Lemche) and Guildenstern (Joey Kern), are in fact vampires.

As Julian tries to make the best of his situation, he finds himself caught up in a web of intrigue and dastardly deeds. He struggles to keep his actors under control as they deal with their own goals and desires, which frequently involve manipulating Julian and his production. Meanwhile, the vampire duo of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern must deal with their own plans, which involve seducing the women in the cast, including Anna, and feeding on the cast and crew.

One of the most interesting aspects of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead is its meta-narrative. The film is not only a mashup of Hamlet and vampire lore but also a satire on the creative process and the world of theater. The characters frequently discuss the challenges of putting on a production and the difficulties of being an actor. There are also several comedic sequences that poke fun at the pretentiousness of the theater world, such as when Julian tries to stage a silent and abstract version of the play.

The horror elements of the film are also handled deftly. The vampire duo of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are suitably sinister, but also have a comedic edge. They're just as likely to bicker about their motivations as they are to feast on their victims. The film's climax, which involves a confrontation between Julian, the vampires, and the rest of the production, is appropriately thrilling and suspenseful. However, the film never takes itself too seriously, always balancing the horror with humor.

The film also benefits from strong performances, particularly from Jake Hoffman as Julian. Hoffman does an excellent job of playing a character who is both likable and bumbling, and who is constantly in over his head. Devon Aoki is also impressive as Anna, bringing a depth and nuance to a character who could have easily been a one-note love interest. John Ventimiglia, who is best known for his role on The Sopranos, is entertaining as the flamboyant vampire Vincent, who helps Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in their schemes.

Ultimately, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead is a highly enjoyable and inventive film that successfully blends different genres and tones. It's a film that will appeal to fans of Shakespeare, vampire movies, and offbeat comedies alike. The film's humor and meta-narrative are strong enough to stand on their own, but it's the blending of these elements that makes it truly unique.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead is a 2010 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0 and a MetaScore of 45.