Transylmania

Transylmania is a 2009 horror comedy directed by David and Scott Hillenbrand, starring Patrick Cavanaugh, James DeBello, and Tony Denman. This film unfolds a breezy and absurd narrative set in the backdrop of an atmospheric Eastern European castle, infusing comical horror elements, lovable characters, and an intriguing plot.

The story revolves around a group of American college students who decide to study abroad for a semester in Romania, in a place known as Razvan University. Regarded as the world's best party school, Razvan University is actually an ancient, dark, and gloomy castle with a history that permeates every stone—truly, an uncanny setting that certainly isn't all that it seems.

Patrick Cavanaugh plays the role of Rusty, a down-on-luck, eternally love-struck, and hapless student who is immensely drawn towards an email romance with a beautiful Eastern European woman. Subsequently, Rusty embarks on this journey in pursuit of his cyber love, with his friends joining on this adventure.

James DeBello personifies a pot-smoking party animal, Lynne, who drops his serious intentions after getting his hands on the agrarian product famous in the region. Lynne's obsessive partying brings both comedic relief and kicks off a series of quirky scenarios that further add to the storyline's charm.

On the other hand, Tony Denman portrays Newmar, a sexually-repressed nerd who is governed purely by his fright of the unknown vampire culture. However, chaos ensues when, in a twist of fate, Newmar is mistaken for a vampire slayer.

The film dramatically heightens with a series of turn of events when the students unknowingly awaken an ancient vampire, Stefan (Oren Skoog), who has been laid to rest in the castle basement. Alongside this event, Radu—an evil vampire wannabe who is Stefan's doppelganger—lurks in the shadows plotting the vampire's resurrection and a subsequent reign of terror. Amid the seductive vampire femme fatales, stoned age vampires, and ostentatious Victorian novelty, the protagonists' journey transforms into a clitellum of chaos, humor, and horror.

Apart from its central characters, Transylmania infuses several outrageous characters and sequences—wheelchair-bound, leg-pumping coeds, vampire lore, a humpback servant grotesquely inclined towards bestiality—which further instigate an uproarious element to the entire narrative.

The directors attempt to balance both horror and humor, creating an enjoyable romp that is as absurdly comic as it is spine-chilling. With an ample amount of slapstick humor, broad farces, and peculiar characters, Transylmania deploys a narrative style that is reminiscent of the classic American pie humor with a splash of European influence.

While the movie veers towards the oddball comedy genre, there are sufficient elements of gothic horror like eerie castle settings, atmospheric cinematography, flashbacks, and shadowy characters to keep drawing the aficionados of the horror genre. Bloodstained floors, spine-chilling dungeons, and revealing outfits are the order of the day in the Transylvanian University.

Transylmania also benefits from the commendable performances of the main actors. Patrick Cavanaugh's portrayal of the eternally hopeful romantic Rusty, James DeBello's characterisation of the carefree Lynne, and Tony Denman's brilliant embodiment of the nerdy Newmar indeed enrich the overall viewing experience.

Transylmania is thus a definitive treat for viewers who enjoy a blend of humor and horror combined with a raunchy college hijinks narrative. With its eccentric characters, outrageous plot, and a unique blend of comedy and horror, the movie maintains its solid comedic footing while incessantly pushing and expanding the elements of campiness, absurdity, and horror. Transylmania will certainly amuse audiences looking for escape into the world of quirky college comedy set in the realm of ominous vampire lore.