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Plot summary

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire (2000) Plot Summary & Timeline

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire (2000) movie poster

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire is a 2000 horror and fantasy film directed by Steve Boyum, running 1 hour 25 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 365 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 13 key events in order, 7 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
13
characters profiled
7
themes explained
3
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Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire (2000) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m
Director
Steve Boyum
Genres
Horror, Fantasy, Comedy
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire About?

The premise of Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire in 263 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a quiet suburban neighborhood where the extraordinary feels just a heartbeat away, the Hansen family’s everyday rhythm is suddenly jolted by a series of teenage plans and parental constraints. The house hums with the clash of youthful ambition and a mother’s protective instincts, setting a tone that blends lighthearted mischief with an undercurrent of uncanny curiosity.

Adam Hansen, a 13‑year‑old with a vivid imagination, is already dreaming of a night at the Headless Horseman concert, a ticket he somehow manages to snag. Alongside his loyal sidekick Duffy, he navigates the usual trials of middle school while his older sister Chelsea Hansen prepares for a date with her boyfriend Peter, adding a hint of teenage romance to the mix. Their world is colored by comic book fantasies and a yearning for freedom that feels just out of reach.

When Lynette Hansen grounds both siblings, the siblings hatch a daring scheme to liberate her, enlisting a mysterious stranger named Dimitri Denatos to spark a spark of new romance. Their youngest brother, Taylor Hansen, watches the newcomer with a mixture of awe and suspicion, convinced that something far more supernatural than a simple date may be unfolding. The family’s plan teeters on the edge of the ordinary and the eerie, inviting a sense of playful tension.

The film balances the humor of teenage scheming with the spooky allure of a possible vampire lurking in plain sight. As the night deepens, the siblings’ bonds are tested, and the line between imagination and reality begins to blur, promising a adventure that feels both familiar and delightfully unsettling.

Full plot

What Happens in Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire?

The complete story of Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire, from the first scene to the last, in 365 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Adam Hansen, Matt O’Leary is a 13-year-old with a vivid imagination who finds himself amid a family plan gone sideways. He, along with his best friend Duffy, Jake Epstein, and his 16-year-old sister Chelsea Hansen, Laura Vandervoort, are on their way to a concert, while Chelsea is set to meet her dreamy boyfriend Peter. After Adam dodges his homework by spinning a tale drawn from a glossy page of the magazine The Weekly Secret, their mother Lynette Hansen, Caroline Rhea becomes convinced they’re up to no good and grounds them both. To shake her free from the house, Chelsea and Adam hatch a scheme to set up their mother with a mysterious man named Dimitri Denatos, Charles Shaughnessy. The plan appears to work at first, but their 8-year-old brother Taylor Hansen, Myles Jeffrey, spots Dimitri turning into a bat and immediately suspects something supernatural.

Taylor’s warning sends shockwaves through the siblings, and he calls in the only hunter he trusts: Malachi Van Helsing, Robert Carradine. The night Lynette leaves with Dimitri, Taylor trails after them, eager to prove his hunch. Adam quickly realizes Taylor’s suspicion is real when he peers into a mirror and sees that Dimitri has no reflection at all, a telltale sign of vampiric nature. Chelsea joins the moment of truth, and together they resolve to stop Dimitri before he can take Lynette to his ominous mansion. The chase intensifies as the hunter arrives, only to discover he has been unexpectedly shadowed by a young witness to the night’s strange happenings.

Dimitri’s plan escalates as he lashes out at a weakened Adam, planning to bite him, but the siblings cry out to Lynette, breaking the vampire’s thrall with a force that only true love can summon. In a decisive move, Lynette hurls Dimitri into his coffin, and Van Helsing seals the casket with silver-plated nails, explaining a dramatic remedy: ship the coffin to Finland, a land where the sun shines relentlessly. With the danger neutralized and their mother freed, the family gathers for breakfast as the sun begins to rise, signaling a new, brighter day and a return to normal life, even as the memory of the night lingers in the air.

Timeline

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

13 key events in the order they happen, from “Grounding after the fake article” to “Breakfast as sunrise arrives”. 13 events name a place, across 7 locations.

  1. 1

    Grounding after the fake article

    Lynette grounds Adam and Chelsea after Adam fabricates a story to dodge homework. The siblings resent being punished and plot a plan to keep her out of the house. Their frustration sets the stage for a scheme involving Dimitri.

    When:Evening Where:Hansen house

  2. 2

    Chelsea and Adam plot to set up a date with Dimitri

    The siblings hatch a plan to get their mother out of the house by arranging a date with a mysterious man named Dimitri. They hope a romantic distraction will buy them time to avoid punishment. The scheme is born in the living room and kitchen as they swap ideas.

    When:Evening Where:Hansen house

  3. 3

    Lynette goes on a date with Dimitri

    Lynette leaves the house with Dimitri to go on a date, while Adam and Chelsea prepare for their next steps. The children wait and watch from a distance, hoping the ruse works. The outing sets the stage for the night’s strange events.

    When:Night Where:Dimitri's date venue

  4. 4

    Taylor tails the date

    Taylor, the 8-year-old, follows Lynette and Dimitri, trying to stay out of sight. He hopes to prove what he sensed about Dimitri. The fragile trust among siblings will be tested as the night unfolds.

    When:Night Where:Street outside Dimitri's date venue

  5. 5

    Taylor spots Dimitri’s true nature

    Taylor witnesses Dimitri transform into a bat, confirming that he is a vampire. The boy tries to tell his siblings, but they don’t believe him at first. The mystery deepens as the night continues.

    When:Night Where:Outside Dimitri's date venue

  6. 6

    Adam realizes Dimitri has no reflection

    While pursuing the couple, Adam looks for Dimitri’s reflection and discovers there is none. This confirms Taylor’s vampire hunch and raises the boys’ urgency to intervene. Chelsea joins in, ready to act.

    When:Night Where:On the street while following Dimitri

  7. 7

    Dimitri traps Lynette in a trance

    Chelsea and Adam join Taylor’s pursuit, but Dimitri puts Lynette into a trance to keep her from interfering. He reveals plans to take her to his mansion where he can finish his night’s work. The family must act quickly to rescue her.

    When:Night Where:Dimitri's location

  8. 8

    Van Helsing arrives on the hunt

    Malachi Van Helsing arrives and begins to hunt Dimitri. He discovers that Taylor has been following the villain, complicating the hunter’s mission. The two sides converge on the danger in the shadows.

    When:Night Where:Dimitri's location

  9. 9

    Dimitri attacks, but the trance is broken

    Dimitri lunges to bite Adam, but Chelsea and Adam call out to Lynette, breaking the vampire’s thrall. Lynette snaps out of the trance and gathers her resolve. The family unites to resist the threat together.

    When:Night Where:Dimitri's mansion

  10. 10

    Dimitri is sealed in his coffin

    Lynette breaks free and throws Dimitri into his coffin, ending his immediate threat. Van Helsing ensures the coffin is secured to prevent any escape. The eerie scene marks a turning point in the night’s battles.

    When:Night Where:Dimitri's mansion

Show the other 3 events of Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire
  1. 11

    The coffin is sealed and shipped to Finland

    Van Helsing seals the coffin with silver-plated nails and explains his plan to send it to Finland, a place where the sun supposedly shines on vampires. The hunt seems to conclude with a strange, hopeful note. The family watches as the strange danger is contained.

    When:Night Where:Dimitri's mansion

  2. 12

    Van Helsing asks Lynette out

    After the danger subsides, Van Helsing asks Lynette out on a date. The moment lightens the tense mood and signals a return to normalcy. The family prepares for a calmer morning ahead.

    When:Morning Where:Hansen house

  3. 13

    Breakfast as sunrise arrives

    The Hansen family returns home for breakfast as the sun rises. They talk through the night's thrills and begin to settle back into their routine. The dawn brings a sense of relief and a new day ahead.

    When:Sunrise Where:Hansen house

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire?

7 characters, among them Malachi Van Helsing (Robert Carradine), Dimitri Denatos (Charles Shaughnessy) and Lynette Hansen (Caroline Rhea): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • Robert Carradine as Malachi Van Helsing (Robert Carradine) in Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire

    Malachi Van Helsing (Robert Carradine)

    Played by Robert Carradine

    An experienced vampire hunter who arrives to confront Dimitri. He is pragmatic, protective, and ready to take decisive action, offering a calm counterpoint to the kids’ scheming. His plan to trap the vampire involves silver and a safe dispatch to a sunny destination.

    • 🧭 Veteran hunter
    • 🗡️ Protector
  • DD

    Dimitri Denatos (Charles Shaughnessy)

    Played by Charles Shaughnessy

    Charismatic and dangerous, Dimitri uses charm to ensnare Lynette and advances toward his vampiric agenda. He lacks a reflection, signaling his true nature, and his plan centers on covertly transporting his coffin away from the house. He is ultimately contained by Van Helsing.

    • 🕶️ Charming vampire
    • 🏰 Sinister
  • LH

    Lynette Hansen (Caroline Rhea)

    Played by Caroline Rhea

    The Hansen matriarch who is drawn into a date with Dimitri. She is well-meaning and practical, but gets caught in magical thrall. She breaks Dimitri’s control when the true love and family intervention intervene.

    • 👩‍👧‍👦 Mom
    • 🧠 Relatable
  • CH

    Chelsea Hansen (Laura Vandervoort)

    Played by Laura Vandervoort

    A sixteen-year-old with a blend of romance and mischief, Chelsea schemes to help her younger siblings and to ensure her mother’s night out. She is brave, quick-thinking, and skeptical of Dimitri before the danger becomes clear.

    • 👧 Teen
    • ❤️ Romantic
  • Matt O'Leary as Adam Hansen (Matt O'Leary) in Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire

    Adam Hansen (Matt O'Leary)

    Played by Matt O'Leary

    A 13-year-old prankster with a good heart who lies to avoid punishment. He learns to take responsibility as he teams with Chelsea to uncover the vampire threat and help break the spell.

    • 🧑 Teen
    • 🧠 Quick thinker
  • D(

    Duffy (Jake Epstein)

    Played by Jake Epstein

    Adam’s loyal best friend who teams up with him to decode the strange happenings and to support the plan to rescue their mother. He adds a mix of humor and courage to the night’s events.

    • 👦 Best friend
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Loyal
  • TH

    Taylor Hansen (Myles Jeffrey)

    Played by Myles Jeffrey

    The 8-year-old with the most dramatic hunch about Dimitri. His ability to spot the non-reflective nature of Dimitri catalyzes the pursuit and adds a child’s perspective to the danger.

    • 🧒 Younger brother
    • 🔎 Observant
Setting

Where and When Is Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire Set?

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire is set in Hansen House, Dimitri's Mansion and Finland (Modern day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Modern day

The story unfolds in contemporary times, with everyday school, family life, and teen social dynamics. The events occur over a single night that ignites a chase between the kids, the vampire, and the vampire hunter. The modern setting is reflected in the characters’ dialogue, gadgets, and family routines.

Where

Hansen House, Dimitri's Mansion, Finland

The central setting is the Hansen family home, a typical suburban residence that becomes a playground for the kids' schemes. The plot moves to Dimitri's ominous mansion where the vampire menace unfolds. In the finale, the coffin is to be shipped to sunny Finland, highlighting a contrast between a normal home and otherworldly danger.

  • 🏡 Suburban home
  • 🧛 Vampire
  • 🎭 Comedy
Themes

What Are the Themes of Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Family Chaos, Vampire Lore and Deception.

  1. 01

    Family Chaos

    A family’s routine is upended by a deceptive plan to get the mother out of the house. Siblings team up, bend rules, and navigate growing pains while trying to protect a loved one. The film uses humor and danger to explore how much family members are willing to do for each other.

  2. 02

    Vampire Lore

    Dimitri embodies classic vampire traits: a lack of reflection, hypnotic thrall, and a coffin-bound fate. The narrative blends humor with supernatural danger as the vampire hunts his prey while the heroes attempt to outsmart him. The conflict hinges on light and sun as a means of ending the threat.

  3. 03

    Deception

    Dishonesty drives the opening acts—grounding, matchmaking, and misdirection lead to escalating peril. The kids’ schemes to protect their mother backfire and force them to confront consequences. The story ultimately rewards truth and collaboration over deceit.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire?

Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Light
Pacing
Fast
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

A fast-paced, family-friendly adventure that blends light horror and comedy, as kids race against time to save their mother from a charming but dangerous vampire, creating a playful yet suspenseful viewing experience.

  • whimsical
  • suspenseful
  • family-friendly
  • playful
  • adventurous
  • tense
  • sibling relationship
  • vampire hunting
  • child in jeopardy
  • family comedy

Content notes: child endangerment.

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FAQ

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire about?

In a quiet suburban neighborhood where the extraordinary feels just a heartbeat away, the Hansen family’s everyday rhythm is suddenly jolted by a series of teenage plans and parental constraints.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire take place?

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire is set in Hansen House, Dimitri's Mansion and Finland (Modern day). The story unfolds in contemporary times, with everyday school, family life, and teen social dynamics. The events occur over a single night that ignites a chase between the kids, the vampire, and the vampire hunter.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire?

The story follows Malachi Van Helsing (Robert Carradine) (played by Robert Carradine), Dimitri Denatos (Charles Shaughnessy) (played by Charles Shaughnessy), Lynette Hansen (Caroline Rhea) (played by Caroline Rhea) and Chelsea Hansen (Laura Vandervoort) (played by Laura Vandervoort); the character guide covers 7 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Family Chaos, Vampire Lore and Deception.

The themes explained

Who directed Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire?

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire (2000) was directed by Steve Boyum and runs 1 hour 25 minutes.

Steve Boyum’s films

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