Oklahoma, 1978: Tammy and her friends break into the abandoned Darkland Amusement Park, long associated with the cult founded by Dexter Venito. By morning most of the teens are dead and Tammy is mysteriously missing. This draws the attention of private investigator and former cop, Atticus Fairbanks.
1940's California: Failed actor Dexter Venito works as a janitor at a carnival freakshow ruled by the sadistic vampire Vladislav. The lone bright spot in his life is a budding romance with the show's star attraction, a "mermaid" named Lisette. Inspired to flee for a better life, the pair are thwarted by the jealous Vladislav. Dexter is beaten and left to die in the desert.