Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Play trailer

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

R

2009

1h 32m

Fantasy

Action

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

31%

Tomatometer

78 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel king of the vampires, has persecuted the Lycans for centuries. Young Lycan Lucian (Michael Sheen) rallies his people against Viktor and his Death Dealer warriors. With his secret lover Sonja (Rhona Mitra), a vampire, at his side, Lucian leads the werewolves in a final battle to break free of enslavement -- or die trying.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Despite the best efforts of its competent cast, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is an indistinguishable and unnecessary prequel.

Read Critics Reviews

Robbie Collin

News of the World

01/30/2009

2/5

Basically it's Frost/Nixon to Dross/Vixen. And there's plenty to be ashamed of.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Cockrell

Sydney Morning Herald

01/29/2009

2/5

The numerous action sequences, while imaginative, lack a visual cohesion that allows them to be fully appreciated.

Go to Full Review

Jason Anderson

Toronto Star

01/26/2009

1/4

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is as unnecessary as it is uninvolving. Only fans desperate to learn how the whole vampire-werewolf conflict began are likely to get anything out of this viewing experience.

Go to Full Review

Juan Pablo Russo

EscribiendoCine

Nov 21

6/10

Those who follow the franchise's mythology will likely find in this prequel a further addition to the established universe, without major variations and without significantly altering the overall experience. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

12/15/2023

2.5/4

An efficient yarn about an uprising that, though we know the grim outcome, makes for a watchable diversion, even if it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/26/2020

2.0/4.0

Likely to only please fans of the first two films.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Blake- N

@PBSAniDom Apr 9

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is a disappointing prequel in the Underworld franchise. The film strips away what made earlier entries interesting and replaces it with a predictable, slow-moving origin story that adds very little to the overall lore. The pacing drags, the action feels repetitive, and the visual style is noticeably weaker compared to the previous films. Lucian and Sonja’s romance feels underdeveloped and lacks emotional weight, making the central conflict hard to care about. The story leans heavily on familiar "forbidden love" tropes without adding anything fresh or compelling. The CGI and creature effects also feel dated, and the werewolf vs. vampire battles lack intensity and impact. Overall, it feels like a prequel made out of obligation rather than inspiration. Solid 3/10.

See more

Thomas H.

@Fr8ght_Trian Feb 3

Rise of the Lycans is easily the most compelling of all the underworld movies. The plot is actually coherent and feels like braveheart for werewolves. It’s still not a high brow film. Characters make questionable decisions. The CGI is never as good as the practical effects. Also it feels like it ends too soon. But if I complain that I didn’t get enough that isn’t all bad.

See more

Avieanna D

@RT86040175 Oct 20

Great story line, great acting, I watch it every October right after Vanhelsing and Sweeney Todd.

See more

keven q

@kevenquinlan Oct 17

Watched 1 and 2, had never seen before. I love this franchise. Totally original story, super cool looking- it's Neat. The critic's can go F themselves, we all liked it. Keeping for collection.

See more

Justin W

@Loonsan Jul 12

Even this installation maybe indistinguishable and unnecessary prequel but I appreciate the existence and the legendary setup. The love of passion versus the love of the Father, both unconditional; drama in the family.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 14

Success in 1 hour and 32 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Sexuality and Bloody Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Patrick Tatopoulos

Director

Michael Sheen

Lucian

Bill Nighy

Viktor

Rhona Mitra

Sonja

Steven Mackintosh

Tannis

Kevin Grevioux

Raze

View more videos

Underworld

30%

79%

Underworld

Watchlist

Underworld: Evolution

17%

72%

Underworld: Evolution

Watchlist

Underworld: Awakening

25%

62%

Underworld: Awakening

Watchlist

Underworld: Blood Wars

21%

49%

Underworld: Blood Wars

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Underworld: Blood Wars

Blade II

57%

68%

Blade II

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Netflix in July 2021

“Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong” about… Underworld

87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us

View more photos

Synopsis

Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel king of the vampires, has persecuted the Lycans for centuries. Young Lycan Lucian (Michael Sheen) rallies his people against Viktor and his Death Dealer warriors. With his secret lover Sonja (Rhona Mitra), a vampire, at his side, Lucian leads the werewolves in a final battle to break free of enslavement -- or die trying.

Director: Patrick Tatopoulos
Producer: Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Len Wiseman, Richard S. Wright
Screenwriter: Danny McBride, Dirk Blackman, Howard McCain
Distributor: Screen Gems
Production Co: Screen Gems, Lakeshore International
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Bloody Violence)
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $45.8M
Runtime: 1h 32m

Most Popular at Home Now