Previously, you could hardly enter a theatre without encountering a poster or video with a brooding hero (or heroine) dressed in a black leather trench coat amid a menacing moonlit sky. Dark action movies with a Gothic aesthetic, such as Underworld, Van Helsing, Daybreakers, and I, Frankenstein, contain traits that are so ingrained in their DNA that it is difficult to picture them without them. While the popularity of the action subgenre has considerably declined since its peak, the Underworld franchise has shown some resiliency.
The five-film series is focused on a long-ago conflict between werewolves and vampires as well as the power conflicts that develop between the rival clans. Our protagonist is Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a lycan-hating assassin who has her life turned upside down when she meets Scott Speedman, a human who is being sought out for his blood. The later sequels have different degrees of popularity after the amazing Underworld: Evolution. However, if you go into the movie knowing what to expect from the franchise—highly stylized action, an admirable dedication to the series’ intricate backstory, and a standout performance from Kate Beckinsale—you’ll be happy.
Even if information on a sixth movie or the rumoured TV series has been delayed to surface, it is nearly certain that the series will continue in some capacity. So, in order of preference, these are the top five Underworld movies to watch while we wait for Selene’s upcoming journey.
Underworld: Awakening (2012)
After missing Rise of the Lycans, Selene makes a triumphant comeback to the franchise. It’s energising to have her in the centre of the action once more, and Kate Beckinsale seems to have stepped right back into the part without missing a beat. This time, humans are aware of both lycans and vampires, forcing them to hide underground while they go on their never-ending conflict with one another. Though the idea is intriguing, the movie seems to have overlooked the franchise’s most thrilling moments. Without concentrating on clichéd human characters, the intrigue among the vampires and lycans is more than enough.
When Selene awakens from her cryogenically frozen state after being captured by humans, she discovers that she is the mother of Eve, Michael’s daughter (India Eisley). The remainder of Underworld: Awakening centres on Selene’s search for her daughter and efforts to protect her from the humans who seek her blood. Having Selene back as the series’ main character (along with the debut of Theo James’ vampire David) is a welcome sight. Selene’s single-minded determination lends the character some flair. The concept is straightforward, and the sights are impressive, but the hurried execution, brevity of the running time, cheap 3D effects, and poor treatment of Scott Speedman’s Michael prevent it from matching the brilliance of Underworld and Underworld: Evolution.
Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)
Underworld: Blood Wars wisely moves the focus back to the vampires and lycans while leaving the human characters and drama behind. Following Selene and Eve’s separation, Selene is actively sought after. The lycans need her to find Eve so they can use her blood to build an army of vampire-lycan hybrids, while the vampires want her to pay for killing Viktor in the first movie. The decision to return to what made the first two movies so successful—a renewed focus on the vampire covens, betrayals, and lore—makes Blood Wars the better of the two most recent entries in the franchise. Additionally, there are several great nods and nods to the original movie that come as a pleasant surprise.
With the exception of a quick moment at the conclusion, Eve received little development following her abrupt entrance in Awakening, thus her absence from this novel isn’t really a loss. But it’s painful to see Michael (and Scott Speedman) still missing, especially given how abruptly he left the scene. Thankfully, the appearances of Charles Dance’s Thomas and Theo James’ David make up for it. Blood Wars and Awakening are both action-packed games that fit the series’ tone and visual style, but they struggle to match the older games’ intricate plots and nuanced characters.
Underworld: Evolution (2006)
A strong continuation of the first movie’s plot is provided by Evolution. In the midst of the film’s wild creature fight sequences and set pieces, Beckinsale and Speedman reprise their respective roles of Selene and Michael, and the characters’ growing romance raises the stakes (the climax involving a helicopter is particularly bonkers). This time, the story explores the enigmas surrounding the ancestry and origin of the lycan and vampire species. The constant stream of new details and sophisticated plot twists can be confusing at times and may necessitate a few rewinds, but the answers are welcome and the same thorough attention to the mythology of the Underworld has been paid here as well.
The decision to make vampire elder Markus (Tony Curran) the villain in Evolution is a wise one as viewers were only given a brief introduction to him in the first movie. His aggression, tenacity, and savage force make him an intriguing foe to square off against Selene and Michael, greatly raising the stakes of the plot. The sequel excels in character development and exciting action when you add in some revelations about Selene’s past and Michael’s ancestry.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
In order to examine the beginnings of the conflict between the vampire and lycan species, Rise of the Lycans goes back in time. The previous two movies gave us hints and glimpses, but Rise is a prequel that is entirely focused on giving answers and developing the intriguing narrative. We first met Lucian (Michael Sheen), the former lycan slave who was slain in Underworld, here. He has a very substantial role in Rise, and thanks to a fulfilling storyline, Sheen is able to provide a nuanced, visceral, and emotional performance. Bill Nighy’s reappearance as Viktor, who is as vile as ever, is also a welcome sight. The conflict that develops once Lucian develops feelings for Sonja (Rhona Mitra), Viktor’s daughter, is involved adds gravitas to the more fantastical notion of a war between vampires and werewolves. The two species’ final showdown is dramatic and thrilling after all the buildup.
The movie Rise of the Lycans isn’t at all horrible. It is tremendously committed to its storytelling and has strong character arcs and plot implications, yet it’s difficult to avoid feeling like Selene is missing (and Beckinsale).
Underworld (2003)
The best of the bunch is the movie that started the franchise. Spending two hours in the distinct world that Len Wiseman, the filmmaker, and Danny McBride, the writer, have created is both a pleasant surprise and an absolute thrill. The scenario and characters in Underworld feel new and carefully developed, whereas it would have been simple to rely on vampire and werewolf clichés and rehash storytelling motifs from related movies. As a result, the movie has a satisfyingly complex and unique mythology that is a lot of fun to piece together as the plot’s riddles are revealed. Additionally, the characters are excellent. Selene is much more than just a generic badass in a latex catsuit thanks to the film’s gratifying and emotional storyline. The same is true for Viktor and Lucian. All of the actors give outstanding performances, but Beckinsale and a scene-stealing Nighy really make the high concept fantasy elements come to life.
The movie hits all the bases in terms of drama and tension, with internal conflicts within the vampire coven and betrayals by lycans, but it also looks excellent. The distinctive graphics, which include multi-spired towers, underground corridors, and a gloomy colour scheme, are steeped in Gothic culture. Underworld is a standout in both its franchise and genre when you consider the film’s heart-pounding action and some fantastic practical creature effects.
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