You probably know Debby Ryan from her Disney days. Jessie Prescott, Bailey Pickett—the girl-next-door vibes were strong. So, when Netflix dropped Night Teeth back in 2021, seeing her as a blood-drinking, nightclub-hopping vampire named Blaire was... a lot. Honestly, it was a massive pivot.
The movie itself is basically Collateral but with fangs and neon lights. We follow Benny (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.), a college kid who’s just trying to make some extra cash driving a limo for the night. He picks up two girls, Blaire and Zoe (Lucy Fry), and thinks he's just taking them to some high-end parties. Spoiler: they aren't looking for appetizers; they're looking for main courses.
Who is Blaire? (And why Debby Ryan almost didn't play her)
Blaire isn't your typical "evil" vampire. She's the moral compass of the duo, which is hilarious considering she spends the night assisting in a city-wide massacre of vampire bosses. She was turned back in the 1970s by Zoe, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
Here is a wild bit of trivia: Debby Ryan was originally supposed to play Zoe, the more unhinged, "bad guy" vampire. Lucy Fry was up for Blaire. But during the process, Debby realized she was more drawn to Blaire’s complexity. She wanted to play the character who still felt a shred of humanity, or at least a connection to the human world. They swapped, and frankly, the chemistry between the two of them is the best part of the flick.
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Debby Ryan's Performance: More Than Just a Disney Star
A lot of critics were pretty harsh on the movie. They called it "style over substance." And yeah, the neon lighting does a lot of heavy lifting. But if you look at what Ryan does with Blaire, there’s a lot of nuance.
- The Physicality: Debby did most of her own stunts. She actually used her real-life boxing skills for the fight scenes.
- The "Human" Element: While Zoe is a total chaotic force, Blaire is the one who keeps things grounded. She develops this weird, protective crush on Benny that actually drives the final act of the movie.
- The Look: The costume design for Blaire—the leather, the sharp eyeliner—was a total departure from the "Patty Bladell" look in Insatiable.
The Plot Twist That Changed Everything
The whole movie builds toward a truce being broken. Victor (Alfie Allen), the big bad, wants to take over Los Angeles and tosses the century-old peace treaty in the trash. Blaire and Zoe are his tools to clear out the competition.
But things get messy. Benny isn't just a driver; he's the brother of Jay (Raúl Castillo), the lead vampire hunter in the city. Small world, right?
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By the end of the night, Blaire has a choice: stick with her centuries-old best friend or save the human kid who actually treats her like a person. She chooses Benny. When Victor bites Benny and leaves him for dead, Blaire is the one who makes the ultimate call. She turns him.
Why the Ending Still Sparks Debates
Some fans hate that Benny becomes a vampire. They wanted him to stay human and "save" Blaire. But let’s be real—in the world of Night Teeth, being human is a death sentence. By turning him, Blaire ensures they can actually be together. The final shot of them driving away from his college in a luxury car is a vibe, even if it’s a little dark when you think about the fact that he's now a literal predator.
How Night Teeth Fits Into Debby Ryan’s Career
If you look at the timeline, Night Teeth came out right as Debby was trying to shed the Disney image for good. Between this and Horse Girl, she was clearly looking for projects that were a bit more "indie" or "gritty."
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She’s talked in interviews about how much she loved the "Bonnie and Clyde" energy between her and Lucy Fry. They bonded fast on set, which you can see in their banter. It wasn't just another paycheck; it was a chance to do some world-building.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Movie
People often complain that the vampire "lore" in the movie is inconsistent. Like, can they move at super speed or not? Sometimes Zoe looks like she's teleporting, and other times she's getting hit with a crossbow.
While the writing might be a bit loose on the rules, the character motivations are solid. Blaire isn't a hero. She's a survivor who happens to have a soft spot for a guy with a stutter. That’s why her performance works even when the plot holes are big enough to drive a limo through.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Watch:
- Watch the Background: In the scene where Victor is on the phone with Zoe, look at the trunk of his car. You’ll see a man trying to crawl away while Victor casually drags him back without even pausing his conversation. It’s a great bit of visual storytelling.
- Look for the Cameos: Megan Fox and Sydney Sweeney show up for about five minutes. It’s basically the most "Discover-ready" moment of the movie, even if their characters are gone way too soon.
- Check the Soundtrack: The music is specifically curated to match the neon-noir Los Angeles setting. It really carries the energy when the dialogue gets a bit thin.
If you’re looking for a deep, philosophical dive into the nature of immortality, Night Teeth isn't it. But if you want to see Debby Ryan kick some serious butt in a leather jacket while driving through a beautiful, neon-soaked version of L.A., it's a solid Saturday night choice.