Underworld

R

Released Sep 19, 2003

2 hr. 1 min.

Fantasy

Action

Horror

List

31%

164 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Under cover of night, vampires engage in an age-old battle with their sworn enemies, the Lycans, a clan of violent werewolves. Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire orphaned in the wake of a bloody Lycan attack, works for the vampire clan as a trained killer. When the Lycans take a mysterious interest in Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), an exceptional mortal doctor, Selene struggles to save him from Lucian (Michael Sheen), a ruthless Lycan leader hellbent on ending the vampire bloodline.

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Critics Consensus

Though stylish to look at, Underworld is tedious and derivative.

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John S

Kate has created an unforgettable and inspiring character.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/24

Full Review

KerryWhite's S

Rating: 8/10. 80/100

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

Giorgio S

Pretty decent,I've watched this because the director is making a John Wick spin-off and I want to see what I can expect. It's slow and the sets feels repetitive and there's a scene that doesn't make any sense. The action is good and the photography fits the tone of the movie,and the action is amazing. The biggest expectation set by this is the main character. Selene is fantastic and extremly hot,and I expect the same standard for Ana De Armas's character.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

Full Review

Kamilla A

Best Vampire and Werewolf movie ever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

20 years old and this was an interesting find for me An unexpected movie that redefined a genre directed by Len Wiseman who was a former props guy A blended mixture of goth meets action creature feature But it also gave way to an era of female action stars in the early 2000’s while making over $96 million despite less than stellar reviews Most notably this was my first introduction to Kate Becksinsale Co-stars include Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, and Sophia Myles She plays a vampire named Selene; her kind have been at war over 1,000 years with Lycans (werewolves) Nobody knows who started the war and why but Selene is eager to find answers yet digging into the past is forbidden The Elder vampires are about to be awoken and gathered yet the Lycans have a plan to take them out and capture a human named Michael Corvin, he’s supposedly a direct descendant of Alexander Corvinnus (the forefather of both species) Michael becomes a hybrid, half vampire half lycan but stronger than both they hope will give them an advantage to win the war Lucian their leader hopes to eliminate Viktor and we see the real reason both species have been fighting But when Selene meets Michael they both unexpectedly fall in love so it creates a sort of supernatural Romeo & Juliet scenario The movie is truly reliant on more style over substance that’s for certain, it’s got that Matrix vibe with everyone walking around in skin tight leather outfits and using their guns It’s definitely be derivative for most putting them to sleep There could be more personality in terms of acting and dialogue but everyone seems committed to the material, Beckinsale is the best part being serious but also vulnerable despite her commitment to kill her enemies at every whim Also the steam punk inspired aesthetic helps give the movie a distinct feel, a grimy looking world with shades of blue and darkness in a European backdrop It also has a very cool soundtrack ‘Underworld’ manages to turn the genre upside down with the vampires being all classy and regal as opposed to the werewolves being filthy, uncivilized yet both of them can be sexy in their own right It also made a huge franchise with several follow ups A standard but interesting flick of its kind; complex with its mythology and as far as the drama is concerned it’s done well It’s also got universal themes of love, honor, betrayal, revenge, and social segregation while preserving a species

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/20/23

Full Review

Vito P

The underworld in a blue world is where an annoying gangster war takes place without arousing any real interest. It is flat and trashy.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/02/24

Full Review

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Len Wiseman

Director

Kate Beckinsale

Selene

Scott Speedman

Michael Colvin

Michael Sheen

Lucian

Shane Brolly

Kraven

Bill Nighy

Viktor

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Underworld: Official Clip - It Was You

2:06

Underworld: Official Clip - Whip vs. Werewolf

1:47

Underworld: Official Clip - Reawakening an Elder

2:01

Underworld: Official Clip - Bearing Witness

2:12

Underworld: Official Clip - Why Are They After You?

2:10

Underworld: Official Clip - Splitting Headache

2:00

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25%

62%

Underworld: Awakening

17%

72%

Underworld: Evolution

21%

49%

Underworld: Blood Wars

TRAILER

for Underworld: Blood Wars

29%

63%

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

57%

68%

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Underworld: Official Clip - Bite Him!

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Underworld: Official Clip - Selene Rescues Michael

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Pulpy, punk-ish story with some intense violence.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

In the end, it's more a role-playing game scenario than a plot -- although there someone would have worked out rules that make sense.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Time Out

These vampires have no teeth -- hell, they don't even fly.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The production and costume designs were clearly labored over, but like any polished exterior that's merely a fragile casing for an empty center, the film waves off character development for skin-tight leather and pouty brooding.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 3, 2024

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

One wishes that Kate Beckinsale got to have a little more fun as Selene and Kraven is a terrible villain, but the blue-filtered Matrix-rip off (action, costume, gun play) is very welcome. Plus: Nighy is having the absolute best time chewing the scenery.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 19, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Conspiracies and allegorical angles aside, this sleekly stylized monster mash ends up a big, muddy mess of bad guys: predator versus predator, and the winner takes the human race.

Apr 8, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Under cover of night, vampires engage in an age-old battle with their sworn enemies, the Lycans, a clan of violent werewolves. Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire orphaned in the wake of a bloody Lycan attack, works for the vampire clan as a trained killer. When the Lycans take a mysterious interest in Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), an exceptional mortal doctor, Selene struggles to save him from Lucian (Michael Sheen), a ruthless Lycan leader hellbent on ending the vampire bloodline.

Director: Len Wiseman
Executive Producer: Skip Williamson, Robert Bernacchi, Terry A. McKay, James McQuaide, Henry Winterstern
Screenwriter: Danny McBride, Kevin Grevioux, Danny McBride, Len Wiseman
Distributor: Screen Gems
Production Co: Lakeshore Entertainment, Screen Gems, Subterranean Productions LLC
Rating: R (Strong Gore|Some Language|Strong Violence)
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $51.5M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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