Vampira: The Movie (2006): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2006, Vampira: The Movie is a horror and documentary film directed by Kevin Sean Michaels, running about 142 minutes. “A New Documentary by Kevin Sean Michaels” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Vampira The Movie chronicles the story of Malia "Vampira" Nurmi living on the very edge of show business and her rise to celluloid cultdom 50 years later. Her big break came in 1954 when she played the "glamour ghoul" Vampira, emerging from the mist to greet viewers of obscure horror movies on the new medium - television. Her newfound fame led to friendships with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Anthony Perkins. But Vampira's show was abruptly cancelled. Nurmi appeared as Vampira again in the 1959 low-budget horror / sci-fi film, Plan 9 from Outer Space, directed by Edward D Wood Jr. and often dubbed "the worst film of all time." But you can't keep a good vampire down and Nurmi's character rose from the dead again in 1993's Ed Wood, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. The movie renewed interest in Maila Nurmi and she has since achieved a Bettie Page-like cult status.

Who’s in it. Vampira: The Movie stars Forrest J. Ackerman as Himself, Zack Beseda as Tom Mason, Count Smokula as Himself and Jami Deadly as Herself, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, Vampira: The Movie has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Vampira: The Movie page.

If you liked it. Fans of Vampira: The Movie tend to enjoy Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, The Shining and Alien.