UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS (2016)

Summary:

In the latest chapter of the Underworld saga, Death Dealer Selene finds herself pursued by both the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her. Still mourning the loss of Michael Corvin and separated from her daughter Eve, whose unique hybrid blood is a coveted prize, Selene is a lone warrior caught in an escalating war. A formidable new Lycan leader, Marius, has emerged, uniting the various Lycan clans and empowering them with a new, dangerous strength derived from hybrid blood, making them a greater threat than ever before. Marius is relentlessly hunting Selene, believing she holds the key to locating Eve.

As the Vampire covens face imminent defeat, Selene is granted a temporary reprieve by the Eastern Coven elder, Thomas, and his son David, who seek her help in training their fledgling Death Dealers. However, this alliance is fraught with political intrigue and betrayal, particularly from the ambitious Semira of the Northern Coven, who harbors her own dark agenda for Selene's power. Forced to flee once more, Selene and David seek refuge in a secluded Nordic Coven, where Selene undergoes a profound transformation, enhancing her abilities to levels previously unseen, preparing her for a final, decisive confrontation with Marius and the forces threatening both her kind and her own existence.

Keywords: Underworld: Blood Wars, 2016, Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, Action, Fantasy, Horror.

Plot:

The film opens with Selene (Kate Beckinsale) as a lone operative, a Death Dealer on the run, relentlessly pursued by both the Lycan clan and a faction of the Vampires. She is haunted by the memories of Michael Corvin, whose death she believes was orchestrated by the Lycans, and the painful separation from her daughter, Eve, a unique Corvinus Strain hybrid whose extraordinary blood is sought by both species. The Lycans, under the leadership of the ruthless and cunning Marius (Tobias Menzies), have grown significantly in power and numbers. Marius has discovered a method to enhance Lycan strength and speed by consuming hybrid blood, making his forces exceptionally dangerous. He is obsessed with finding Eve, believing her blood will grant him ultimate power, and he relentlessly hunts Selene, convinced she knows Eve's whereabouts.

Facing imminent annihilation, the Eastern Coven, led by the venerable elder Thomas (Charles Dance) and his loyal son David (Theo James), finds itself in a desperate situation. They are approached by Semira (Lara Pulver), a powerful and ambitious Death Dealer from the Northern Coven, who proposes an alliance. Semira suggests granting Selene clemency and bringing her back to train their inexperienced Death Dealers, seeing her legendary combat skills as their only hope. David, who has a deep respect and trust for Selene, champions this idea, convincing his hesitant father. Selene, initially wary due to past betrayals, agrees to return, accompanied by David. Her return to the Eastern Coven is met with suspicion and hostility by many, especially Semira, whose jealousy and desire for power are barely concealed. During her time there, Selene begins to train the young, often terrified, Death Dealers, attempting to instill in them the discipline and ferocity needed to combat the surging Lycan threat.

However, Semira's true intentions are soon revealed to be far more sinister. She conspires with Varga (Peter Andersson), another influential Vampire elder, to drain Selene of her precious, pure Death Dealer blood. Semira believes Selene's blood holds the key to creating a new generation of super-Vampires or perhaps even unlocking the secrets of the Corvinus Strain, granting her unparalleled power. During a seemingly routine training exercise, Semira ambushes Selene, using a specialized weapon to incapacitate her. Selene is then imprisoned and slowly drained of her blood. David, growing increasingly suspicious of Semira's behavior and the sudden disappearance of Selene, uncovers her treacherous plot. He attempts to rescue Selene but is confronted by Semira and her loyalists. In the ensuing struggle, Thomas intervenes, sacrificing himself to create a diversion, allowing David and a weakened Selene to escape. With his father's dying breath, David is imbued with the status of an elder, and he vows to expose Semira's treachery and avenge his father's death.

Selene and David flee the Eastern Coven, pursued by both Semira's vengeful forces and Marius's relentless Lycans. Their desperate journey leads them to the remote and ancient Nordic Coven, hidden deep within the snow-covered mountains. This secluded coven is inhabited by a small, ascetic group of Vampires, including the skilled warrior Lena (Daisy Head), who is the daughter of the Coven's elder, Vidor. The Nordic Vampires possess a unique ability – they can dissolve into mist and "teleport" short distances, a trait enhanced by their unique environment and ancient practices. Selene, severely weakened from the blood draining but resilient, is welcomed into their sanctuary. Recognizing the dire need for enhanced power, Selene undergoes an ancient ritual within the Nordic Coven. She immerses herself in a sacred pool, allowing the Coven's unique energies to flow through her. This profound transformation amplifies her already formidable abilities – her speed, strength, and regenerative capabilities are heightened, and she gains the mist-teleportation ability, making her an even more lethal warrior. Her hair also turns white, a visible sign of her rebirth and enhanced power.

Marius, having relentlessly tracked Selene, launches a massive, brutal assault on the Nordic Coven. He leads a vast army of enhanced Lycans, overwhelming the Coven's ancient defenses. A fierce and bloody battle erupts, with the Nordic Vampires fighting valiantly but struggling against the sheer numbers and enhanced power of the Lycans. In the midst of the chaos, Selene, now fully empowered, confronts Marius. She utilizes her new abilities with devastating effect, engaging him in a brutal, one-on-one combat. Marius, revealing the true extent of his power, confesses that he consumed the blood of Michael Corvin, claiming that he was the one who killed him, a revelation that ignites an uncontrollable rage within Selene. Meanwhile, David, now embracing his role as an elder, leads the remaining Coven members, fighting alongside Lena, to repel the Lycan invasion. Despite being heavily outnumbered, they fight with courage and desperation. Selene, fueled by vengeance and her amplified abilities, finally gains the upper hand against Marius. She impales him with her sword, and in a brutal, decisive move, rips out his spine, confirming that he was indeed using Michael Corvin's hybrid blood to sustain his immense power. With their leader dead, the Lycan forces falter and begin to retreat.

Following the defeat of Marius, Selene, David, and Lena return to the Eastern Coven. David, now the rightful elder, confronts Semira, exposing her treachery and her murderous actions. Semira, desperate to cling to power, attempts to fight back, but Selene, with her newfound powers, swiftly and mercilessly dispatches her, impaling her with a sword and then exposing her to the lethal rays of the sun, turning her to ash. With both Marius and Semira eliminated, the Vampire covens are left in a state of disarray, but a new order begins to emerge. David is formally recognized as the new elder of the Eastern Coven, a leader who promises a more unified and just future for the Vampires. Selene, no longer an outcast, is offered a place of honor among the elders of the Nordic Coven, recognized for her sacrifice, her unparalleled power, and her role in turning the tide of the war. She accepts, signifying a new phase in her existence, transitioning from a hunted Death Dealer to a revered leader and a formidable force for balance. While a temporary victory has been achieved, the whereabouts of her daughter Eve remain unknown, ensuring that Selene's fight is far from over and setting the stage for future conflicts.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Kate Beckinsale as Selene
• Theo James as David
• Tobias Menzies as Marius
• Lara Pulver as Semira
• Charles Dance as Thomas
• James Faulkner as Cassius
• Peter Andersson as Varga
• Daisy Head as Lena

Crew:

• Director: Anna Foerster
• Screenplay by: Cory Goodman
• Story by: Kyle Ward, Cory Goodman
• Producers: Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Len Wiseman, Richard S. Wright, David Kern
• Cinematography: Karl Walter Lindenlaub
• Editor: Peter Amundson
• Music by: Michael Wandmacher

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: December 1, 2016
• Language: English
• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
• Running Time: 91 minutes
• Accolades: None of note