Reviews: Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Drama, Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Crime, Vampires, Werewolves
Subgenres: Supernatural, Vampires, Werewolves, Epic Battle, Sci-Fi, Wilderness
Exploring Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) through our review, we cover its story, scares, and how it fits into the broader horror genre landscape.
Underworld: Blood Wars (2016), directed by Anna Foerster, is the fifth chapter in the Underworld saga and continues the gothic action-horror formula the franchise is known for. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it delivers stylized supernatural combat, brooding mythology, and a reliably badass performance from Kate Beckinsale as Selene. It may not convert new fans, but it gives longtime followers exactly what they expect — dark fantasy warfare, tight leather, and blood-soaked betrayal.
Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) – Stylish Chaos in a Cold War of Immortals
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The plot picks up with Selene, still on the run from both vampires and Lycans, who are hunting her for the hybrid blood of her daughter — a key to ultimate power. Drawn back into the fold by political manipulation and the rising threat of a new Lycan leader, Marius, Selene is forced to confront her past, embrace a strange new power, and make a final stand in the eternal war.
Themes of betrayal, evolution, and redemption return, and while they aren’t deeply explored, they support the action-driven narrative well enough. Selene’s arc gets a minor evolution here — from vengeful outcast to mythical warrior — though it’s more symbolic than emotional. The introduction of vampire "Nordics" adds an intriguing new faction and spiritual flavor to the lore.
The supporting cast includes Theo James returning as David, who is given a larger, more heroic presence, and Lara Pulver as Semira, a deliciously theatrical schemer whose ambition adds needed conflict. While character development is surface-level, it fits within the mythic tone the series thrives on.
Acting and Cinematography
Kate Beckinsale once again holds the center with her signature icy intensity and action-star precision. She’s clearly at home in the role, and even when the script underwhelms, her presence commands attention. Theo James is solid and more confident this time around, while Pulver brings stylish villainy and flair.
Visually, the film excels. Foerster brings a snow-blasted, blue-toned aesthetic that amplifies the cold brutality of the world. The set design, particularly the vampire castles and Nordic sanctuaries, is sleek and evocative. Action scenes are packed with slow-motion swordplay, gun-fu, and flashy supernatural combat — all expected, but still fun to watch.
While some of the CGI is hit-or-miss, the fight choreography remains sharp, and the use of practical effects in key scenes adds weight to the visuals.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Anna Foerster directs with a sense of momentum, keeping the film moving quickly and balancing multiple factions, betrayals, and battles without letting it feel too bloated. Her background in visual effects shows — the film looks polished and cinematic, especially during major set pieces.
However, the movie still suffers from overreliance on exposition and a tendency to retread familiar ground. Much of the mythology has been covered in previous installments, and the stakes feel more cosmetic than emotional. While Blood Wars adds lore and energy, it doesn’t deepen the series in a meaningful way.
Strengths:
Kate Beckinsale remains an action-horror icon
Slick, snowy visuals with strong production design
Stylized and well-paced action sequences
Expanded vampire lore with new settings and factions
Pulver’s villain performance adds extra drama
Weaknesses:
Predictable plot with recycled narrative beats
Little emotional evolution for core characters
Shallow dialogue and overly serious tone
Heavy exposition slows momentum at times
Some CGI and green screen work feels rushed
Final Verdict & Score: 6/10
Underworld: Blood Wars is a slick, violent, and visually polished entry in a franchise that knows exactly what it is. It doesn’t offer major surprises, but it provides enough fresh blood, lore expansion, and high-octane action to satisfy its fan base. For those already invested in Selene’s journey, this is a serviceable continuation — stylish, familiar, and occasionally thrilling, even if it doesn’t leave a lasting bite.
Similar films like Underworld: Blood Wars can be found in vampire movies, vampire movies, werewolf movies, and werewolf movies sub-genre(s), check them out for more movies like Underworld: Blood Wars.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Underworld: Blood Wars Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 4.31/10
- IMDB: 5.8/10
- MetaCritic: 2.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 2.1/10
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