On this set, the vampire isn’t just an act—and the blood is all too real.
THE UNDERSTUDY: GRAVEYARD SHIFT II
For this leading man, acting is in the blood.
A film crew making a low budget vampire film is unaware that the leading man is a real vampire and has his sights set on the leading lady.
Quick Answer
The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II is a 1988 Canadian horror film directed by Jerry Ciccoritti about a real vampire infiltrating the cast of a low-budget vampire movie, preying on the unsuspecting crew while the cameras roll.
Programmer's Pick
Who needs special effects when your vampire is the real deal? This Canadian horror sequel goes all-in on its meta premise, with a film crew shooting a vampire movie as the actual undead slips seamlessly into the starring role.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Director
- Jerry Ciccoritti
- Writer
- Jerry Ciccoritti
- Release
- 1988
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Country
- Canada
- Language
- English
- Genres
- Horror
- Also Known As
- Graveyard Shift II, Original title: The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II
Why This Matters
This direct-to-video sequel exemplifies late 1980s Canadian horror filmmaking and continues the story begun in 1987's Graveyard Shift, reflecting the era's trend of expanding genre films through home video releases.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
The story unfolds on a film set, blending the chaos of indie filmmaking with the lurking dread of a real vampire among the cast.
The lead actor isn't just playing a vampire—he is one, feeding on cast and crew under everyone's noses.
A driven actress becomes the fixation of the vampire, adding personal stakes to the professional hazards of indie horror filmmaking.
As a follow-up to the original, this film continues the oddball horror tradition with a distinct Canadian flavor and a shoestring budget.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Casting a real vampire as the substitute actor
Actual vampire among cast and crew
Victims are bitten and preyed upon during filming
Low-budget vampire film set
Questions from the Vault
Who directed The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II? +
Jerry Ciccoritti directed The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II.
How long is The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II? +
The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II has a runtime of 90 minutes.
What genre is The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II? +
The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II is a horror film.
Where can I watch The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II? +
The Understudy: Graveyard Shift II is available to stream on SassyFlix.
How does the vampire hide in plain sight on the movie set? +
He takes over as the substitute actor for the vampire role, performing his real feeding in front of the camera without arousing suspicion from the crew.
