Underworld is a movie about vampires and lycans fighting for control of humanity, and it is nearly perfect. The 2003 action film directed by Kurt Wimmer takes the myth of Cain and Abel and turns it into a war between two immortal races, and it does so with style, violence, and a sense of scale that few genre films manage.
The film opens with Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire hunter who believes her people are the protectors of mankind. She is recruited by a human named Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman) to investigate a series of murders, only to discover that he is the target of both sides. What follows is a chase across Europe, a betrayal, and a revelation that changes everything.
Trailer, via Lakeshore Entertainment.
The Action
The fight scenes are the reason to watch. The film uses a mix of wire work, slow-motion, and practical stunts to create battles that feel brutal and balletic at once. The design of the vampires and lycans is also strong, with the lycans dressed in leather and chains and the vampires in sleek, dark clothing. The cityscapes are cold and wet, giving the film a permanent night feel.
Selene
Beckinsale carries the film. Her Selene is fierce, loyal, and deeply wounded, and she sells the transition from hunter to protector with a quiet intensity. Speedman is less successful, playing Michael as a blank slate who gets dragged through events rather than driving them. But Beckinsale’s presence is enough to hold the story together.
The Story
The plot is simple but effective. Selene hunts Michael because she believes he is a lycan, then learns he is the son of the man who started the war between the two races. This sets off a chain of betrayals that ends with a final confrontation. The film does not waste time on exposition; it throws you into the fight and lets the stakes become clear through action.
Technical Notes
- The cinematography is dark and moody, with a color palette that leans on blues and blacks.
- The score is minimalistic, letting the sound of gunfire and growls fill the space.
- The editing is fast, cutting between fights with precision.
| Scene | Location |
|---|---|
| Opening hunt | A ruined city street |
| Selene’s discovery | A hidden laboratory |
| Final battle | A frozen mountain peak |
Underworld is not a deep film. Its characters are archetypes, and its world is built to support spectacle rather than thought. But as spectacle, it is nearly flawless. The action is relentless, the design is striking, and the performances are committed.
The film runs just over two hours, and not a minute feels wasted. It is a movie that knows exactly what it wants to be and delivers it without apology.
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