Vampire Academy (2022) User Reviews

Loved the books

[tenealesharman · 5/10 · 30 September 2022]

Just finished episode 6 and I'll keep watching it til the end. I just honestly can't get over rose and her mums accent; why add an Aussie and kiwi accent? It's so distracting. Rose has been miscast, her Turkish roots play a role in the story. And I'm sorry but she's quite a weak actress. I feel like I'm casting they've gone down a run sheet and ticked a whole heap of boxes. The thing is, this story and the nationality of key characters are part of the story Unfortunately the costumes are worse then the casting....like where do you even start. A complete disaster Don't compare it to the books and it's ok.

this dosn't suck (no pun intended)

[stehartley · 7/10 · 17 September 2022]

If you use the books as a guide rather than a script you get a pretty decent vampire show. Ignore all the 10/10s and 1/10s and read the inbetween reviews and you will get a more honest feel of how good or bad the show is. I for one quite enjoyed it. It wasnt quite as good as the movie but it came pretty darn close. Script is pretty solid and decent performances from most of the characters. Special effects are on point. Given the state of streaming platforms and how fast they seem to cancel shows whether good or bad. I could see this show running for 3 or 4 seasons if it picks up the pace and with legacies finishing its a good way to get your vampire fix.

Who thought this was good??

[lara_gracis · 16 September 2022]

I did not think this could be worse than the movie... wow, was I mistaken. Who thought this was good to produce?? Why?? Mixed emotions of angry, sad, disappointed... a disgrace to the books and the wonderful world created within. It's not even the acting, it's the plot. If Julie Plec hadn't ruined it now at the beginning, she certainly would have after 2 or 3 seasons, drag it on and on just like with the Vampire Diaries.

5 minutes in and I was already thinking how boring it is. Decided to give it further chance. Another mistake.

Don't waste your time, reread the books, forget this ever exists.

surprisingly pretty good

[paulalbrecht · 7/10 · 28 October 2022]

7.2/10

It seems like every single review here is about how this show is very far off from the books it is based on. However as someone who has never even heard of these books I enjoyed the show. With that it is most definitely a teen drama so if that's not your thing then you can skip this one.

Teen dramas are typically very poorly written and acted, this show is just average in both of those departments with some scenes feeling a little bit too corny for me but overall its not nearly as bad as it could've been. None of the romances between characters feel forced or unnecessary and the fight scenes are done very well with high quality choreography.

Its by no means a show that is Emmy worthy but its a fun watch if you're looking for a bit of romance, a bit of action and some vampires.

They should have said "loosely based on" and not adaptation.

[willandtruly · 8/10 · 14 October 2022]

The subject matter is similar and most of the characters have the same names, but that is where the majority of the similarities to the book series disappear. The story in the show bounces all over all of the books picking and twisting the different events. These books were also for young adults and the content of the show is definitely not for young adults. I wish I had not read the books prior to seeing the show, maybe than I wouldn't be as disappointed. I read all of the Vampire Academy series books and then continued on the the Bloodlines series. I genuinely hope they do not attempt to convert those books as well.

Much Better Than I Hoped

[meltingmel · 9/10 · 16 September 2022]

I was definitely on the bandwagon that this show was going to suck and I had ALL the reasons why. NOPE ! I was so wrong and I'm really happy about that. It's done SO WELL! Do I love some of the changes? I'm not happy about them but they smooth over them very well. I think the reason why I'm so happy is that the acting is really good, and the chemistry between key romantic characters is spot on. So because of that... I'm loving it. I also can very much see the polished work of Julie Plec.

I'm shocked to see a very low rating considering I was one of the worst, loudest, and angriest protestors on the changes before the show aired... I was sure more people would come around like I did. I'm hoping it doesn't get cancelled - I'm enjoying the hell out of it.

Didn't like at first but it's growing on me!

[cari_carter · 7/10 · 27 October 2022]

I feel like it's coming full circle and while it started as eating up the entire book series storyline, it now almost seems like a prequel at the same time. I don't like a few things about the relationships and how Rose sometimes acts which is completely out of character for her in the book. While I didn't like the changes, I'm coming to be okay with them. We'll see how this season ends before making any final judgment. I'll watch it regardless because I Love VA! Totally different but similar at the same time. Hated it but now am okay since I kept watching! Give it a shot and don't take any reviews too seriously. I know it's tough for diehard fans but I think we'll get to the stories we love eventually as long as it continues!

Never read the books

[crystle0713 · 10/10 · 22 September 2022]

Maybe that's why I like the show. I find it enjoyable and it leaves me looking forward to the next episode. I really like Rose and Lissa. I certainly hope it is renewed for a 2nd season. Does it have some cheesy parts? Of course. Even some of the best shows suffer from cheesiness once in a while. If you haven't watched it, or read the books, don't go by just the reviews alone. Watch and make up your own mind. I mean, there are some shows out there getting 7 or higher in reviews, and I found them extremely boring. I would get one or 2 episodes in, just to go look for another show, ones I've watched before. All during the past couple of months when there has been nothing on.

Should have been Better

[doug2go · 7/10 · 27 July 2023]

First of all - I have not read the books that most reviewers seem to have a problem with the series not being faithful too. It is a rare movie or series that comes close to being faithful to a book - forget the book and enjoy the show or don't but don't criticize an apple for not being an orange - this series suffered from lack of direction - the show runner didn't really know what audience he/she was trying to appeal too - rather than telling a good story it was just full on conflicts, romantic, political and horror - without any depth . There was language that would push this rating to an R and enough nudity to push the limits of PG - 13 and Peacock complained after cancelling the series after on season that it missed the younger CW type audience it was shooting for - it is obvious Peacock need to know what they are buying before signing up - Having said that I would like to see Netflix or Amazon Prime pick this series up and turn this into a adult series - Vampires always work for me.

I can't watch anymore of this.

[lineha-09153 · 1/10 · 11 January 2023]

Yeah I can't watch this, it's a bunch of clear as day adults playing teenagers with a whole bunch of different accents that change as they are talking which just adds to the list of reasons why this show is hard to follow. The rest of the list, and not in any particular order, is this: The plot is moving too fast and things are confusing as heck, way too many main characters and subplots for them, terrible acting, terrible script, terrible action, terrible cgi (the crash and those dogs), terrible everything. The accents really bug me. Yes, back to them. Why are they all different when these people supposedly live in their own little world? Shouldn't they all have the same accent?

Just wrong

[pooya-932-558893 · 17 September 2022]

Vampires that can't move fast or disappear like any vampire movie or series, they are too ordinary and teflon to call them vampires. Just fangs? Are you kidding me? Elder vampires and kids are the same in powers? The vampires do parkour only that's hilarious instead of interesting. This series is a bad joke pretending to be serious with creators had no concept or clue on what vampires are... Then it comes to elemental magic and thats another disappointment, weak vampires, weak story, weak philosophy and the whole series will lease a bad taste, with fights that looks like very bad johnwick copy fights in a vampire series thats hilarious. I should say WTF.

Enjoyed it!

[paigeherberg · 9/10 · 15 September 2022]

There have already been bad reviews on this show. However, it seems to be from not understanding the world in which Vampire Academy is in. Yes they are using umbrellas in the sun. If you pay attention in the show, it explains why. Yes they use sunglasses sometimes even at night; once again, this is explained in the episodes already available if they are watched.

Even with it being told before hand of changes being made from the books, this is a good show. They are adapting the changes from the books is a good way that works for TV.

Honestly, the only reason I got Peacock was for this show. I am glad I did!

A worthy watch thus far......

[skpn123 · 6/10 · 18 September 2022]

I love the book series - it is a fun ride with some good messages about friendship and diversity. I also like the movie. So far the series is a worthy watch though there was a small problems.... I was getting quite confused and though WOW this series is a bit of a muddle - then I realised my program had jumped to Episode 4 instead of the Pilot Episode 1.....

Note to self: It helps a lot for the coherence of the show if you commence at Episode 1 ha ha ha. However it made little different - it is still somewhat disjointed, relatively unconnected and engaging......

I must say, Dimitri Belikov is my favourite character in the books and thus far in the series he is not grabbing me.... and I am not feeling the Chemistry with Rose..... Onwards and upwards....... there is plenty of time for that chemistry to build and become what it will.....

Not the VA we know and love

[devoncastle · 1/10 · 19 October 2022]

I really don't understand why they give popular, lore rich book franchises to peoples who do not have slightest idea about them, this is not Vampire Academy, not at all. Writers, actors, producers everyone involved in making this, including peacock, are trashing these beloved books, bad reviews are justified, do not watch this if you are a real fan of the books, because they have butchered vampire academy beyond recognition and repair. I'm not even sure if I will ever look at the books the same way after watching a few minutes of an episode of this, or ever again at this rate. I guess the cash was too good to turn down for RM. 😡

I absolutely love it

[nicholecarhart-30208 · 10/10 · 16 September 2022]

As a huge HUGE fan of the books I was a little concerned about this adoptation because of all the changes they announced beforhand. However after watching the first episode I absolutely love it .I just finished episode 4 it was fantastic I love all the changes it makes its own bold statement I can't wait to watch all the characters develop in the series I hope they go far and finish all the books and make a spin off series for Bloodlines .I love what they have done the filming locations are perfect I love the clothes the way the talk its perfect. Everything is amazing I can't wait to see more I highly recommend this show .Sure it's different from the books but that doesn't mean a bad thing give It a chance I did and I absolutely loved it .

In my opinion...

[jssaaaaaa · 7/10 · 28 October 2022]

The movie in 2014 was an atrocity. If you enjoyed that shallow puddle of a waste of everyone's time, you shouldn't be allowed to have an opinion on this series. In addition, if I wanted a word by word play of the book, I'd just go read the books again. That way, I could selfishly envision everything how I want, when I want it, in a way that doesn't affect anyone else.

Now... as a peacock series, I've found it curious how certain aspects of the book have been adapted to create this version of the material. Having changes ... made this series enjoyable, kept me intrigued and allowed the show to stand a comfortable distance away from the horrific movie that ruined vampire academy for so long...

Now, for those complaints pertaining to this adaption being "inappropriate". Are you serious? The Rose & Dimitri featured in the book, are in a student / teacher relationship. I don't know what those viewers are striving for, but they're going to be disappointed. That's simply an impossible ask based on the original material.

Some situational awareness would be nice from some of the viewers leaving 1 star reviews. As well as the awareness that young adults today DO enjoy some of the more modern takes contained in this series. The target audience is no longer 12 to 30 year olds living in the year 2007. The world has moved on and the series is trying to reflect these changes and bring in new audiences.

Not a good show

[stanforddeighton · 1/10 · 22 October 2022]

Just could not get into this show and stopped watching after a couple of episodes. Not sure how it fares as it goes on, but it's starts off with way too much happening for you to really know what is going on what some things are. The script is by far the worst thing about this show. I don't even know how to explain how bad it is. The acting is probably the second biggest thing wrong with it. The actors don't seem to really know what they are doing, and when I say that I mean they aren't good with emotions and making things look natural. It's like everything has to be done in a way that it looks so unnatural that it stands out and you can't help but cringe at everything that they say and do.

Enjoyable despite book differences.

[mercedeszerbini · 7/10 · 18 September 2022]

Into episode 4. Not going to lie, the differences pulled me out of it a bit, but it is still enjoyable. I'm annoyed when interrupted and can't wait for the next episode - means it's great for me. The characters are likeable and dialogue flows. The drive for what they're doing doesn't leave me perplexed. The chemistry between the couples is there and I'm drawn in. It's good so far and I'll keep watching. I'm already worried it'll be canceled because of the negative reviews that want/need the books to be replicated. If I want what I've already read/seen in my head, I'll re-read the books - but I guess that's just me.

Beware book readers

[brookey95 · 4/10 · 27 September 2022]

Was very excited for this to come out. I read the books and loved them but........this show uses the books as a loose guideline. It is good I just wish I hadn't read the books because it ruins it for me since they are different from each other. Rose is not sassy whatsoever, the way the story plays out is very different from the book, and it seems very fast paced for this early on. Just once it would be nice if they used the source material and followed it instead of going off into another dimension. I will continue to watch and give it a chance; but if you have read the books just keep in mind this is a loose adaptation and does not follow them.

Just no...

[Paigeeexo · 25 December 2022]

Just finished episode 5 and I can't go on. The movie is one thousand times better than this (and I didn't even like the movie that much). Please DO NOT take amazing books and turn them into hot trash. I can't imagine how Richelle Mead must feel watching her work be misrepresented.

First of all, Rose and her mothers accent's are really bad, like distractingly bad. And who is casting these things anyway? Is it seriously that hard to get a character that actually represents Rose from the book? Makes no sense... this series has stripped the books of what made them so great to read in the first place. You hear about how much Hollywood vet a show or movie before it's produced, but that can't possibly be true or this show would not have gotten made. It will never make sense to me why you would take a great book and then change or even discard altogether important parts of the character Rose that made us fall in love with her in the first place.

The producers are clearly not fans of the book as they wouldn't of changed so much unnecessarily. So unfortunately anyone who loves the book and wants to watch this to see the book played out, don't bother. Just re read the books and use your imagination. I really hope this show gets cancelled, because this is honestly B. S.

Another series fallen prey to woke ideology

[mec-24315 · 7/10 · 17 September 2022]

This is one of my favorite book series. The characters are beloved! In the books Rose Hathaway is already half middle eastern and half Scottish...there was no need to drastically change the main character so much if they had to stick with the current theme in tv and movies where white people can only play the villain. The main description of Rose in the books is that she has long black silky hair. The Rose in this series is so different it's distracting. She just doesn't make sense for Rose. Also in the books Rose was snarky and immature, but had a heart of gold. So far this Rose just comes across self absorbed and rude. I think Sissy/Rose is beautiful and a decent actress, but she just wasn't right for Rose Hathaway. Lissa is wonderful, and I like the pace changes they made to the story.

Better than expected

[jasminelouis-75924 · 10/10 · 15 September 2022]

This show has already surpassed what I expected it to be. I also believe it's nothing like the books but also there's a familiarity to it that feels like home. Don't go with a certain expectation instead go in with an opened mind. And I believe many will like like this series. I do hope there's a season two which will allow the writers a bit more time to develop the script but the chemistry between these actors and how they are portraying the in book characters makes it all worth. I will say I am not the biggest fan of shows mainly focused on politics I feel as tho we already experience that in the real world but the writers have done a good job at trying to balance,politics,love,sex and horror all at once.

Some good with the bad

[tinkkytone · 6/10 · 1 November 2022]

You could spend your time while watching this show nitpicking it to death...or you could just enjoy it for what it is - a vampire show that doesn't take itself too seriously. Yes, there is a stunning lack of world building which at times makes things very confusing, and the writing is...not that good, but overall it's just a fun show to watch. The cast is very easy on the eyes, if not the best actors, and the costumes for the "royals" are an interesting show within the show. The first season is ten episodes and each episode is less than 50 minutes, so I got through this fairly quickly once I stopped all the nitpicking, and just started enjoying, which s what you need to do if you are reading this.

6/10.

To keep this as short as possible

[cortneymorrison · 1/10 · 19 October 2022]

To keep this as short as possible - Peacocks Vampire Academy is not a worthy show of anything but cancellation. From the plot which is as all over the place as the costumes to the script that comes off as being written by those that are meant to be starring in the show to the acting which is some of the worst I have seen in recent times, to the only ones that could actually pass as vampires in this looking more like zombies and finally, to the fact that the creators thought it was a good idea to make a show for teenagers (13 and up) that contains adult content (e.g. Drinking at a bar and sleeping around most episodes).

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC

[xqwwczb · 10/10 · 15 September 2022]

Absolutely loved the first four episodes of VA!! I had the chills all the way through and the aesthetics were amaze BALLZ!! It's also not that cheesy mean girl vibe! It's life or death, you see the inner workings of what a society goes through! You see royals, non royals, and dhampirs clash in societal status!! You get the chance to experience the journeys two young women take to make their worlds a better more functional system. You also get those little details that make squeal like a little girl and melt your heart into mush! I love the books and I love the movie but this adaptation to the Vampire academy has blown itself out of the water! It definitely deserves a watch!