Underworld

Name: Underworld
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Fantasy
Released: September 19, 2003
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 42
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Shane Brolly

2003

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 604 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 604 Ratings

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Underworld

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Movie Details & Credits

Screen Gems | Release Date: September 19, 2003 | Not Rated

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Shane Brolly

Summary: Underworld reimagines Vampires as a secretive clan of modern aristocratic sophisticates whose mortal enemies are the Lycans (werewolves), a shrewd gang of street thugs who prowl the city's underbelly. (Screen Gems)

Director: Len Wiseman

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Fantasy

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 121 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

David Sterritt

At heart, this is an old-fashioned monster flick decked out with Hollywood's full battery of high-tech visual effects. It's as goofy as it is gory -- stay away if you don't like in-your-face mayhem. Read full review

Marc Savlov

It is the perfectly cast Beckinsale who lifts Underworld out and away from the film’s many moments of silly gravitas and steers it into a truly interesting take on the whole vampires 'n' werewolves genre. Read full review

Robert K. Elder

Has one other thing in common with "The Matrix Reloaded" -- too much story, too many angles. Read full review

Kim Morgan

A slick disappointment -- though there's much unintentional humor to be enjoyed. Read full review

Anita Gates

Achieves only loudness, aggressive confusion and one of the silliest head-splittings in film history. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Plays less like a novel re-imagining of a classic if campy narrative than a drearily self-conscious exercise in Know Your Film References. Read full review

Desson Thomson

It needs a wooden stake AND a silver bullet through its script. Read full review

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User Reviews

Appendage7

Jan 18, 2020

Selene is a Greek name. Seleneophile is a name for someone who loves the moon and Selene is the Greek name for the Goddess of the Moon

7 of 8 users found this helpful71

sindronian

Dec 7, 2015

I don't know why I watched this movie. I've considered watching it many times in the past, but I guess I eventually ran out of stuff I wanted to see, so I hesitantly downloaded this movie.

Pleasantly surprised. The generic sort of "war between races" story turns out to be extremelyI don't know why I watched this movie. I've considered watching it many times in the past, but I guess I eventually ran out of stuff I wanted to see, so I hesitantly downloaded this movie.

Pleasantly surprised. The generic sort of "war between races" story turns out to be extremely engaging thanks to amazing characters with unique/interesting motivations and personalities. Many motivations are believable, and genuine, such as why Selena is a death dealer. Victor's insistence in rules but irrational hatred for things he doesn't understand is a great contrast.

In terms of negative, CGI is pretty bad. I've seen much worse, but this isn't the kind of movie that holds up over the years in terms of its special effects.

Truly engaging, interesting, stylish and creative film. Why critics hate it so much is beyond me. After reading the critic reviews I still don't get what they found wrong with it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kingshahid

Oct 2, 2011

Not my kind of vampire movie. Especially the fact that they've given them guns. Its not the worst though. It has the action packed thrill to it though.

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

LordOFlibertY

Feb 19, 2012

Yea I know this review is a lil' late but I got to tell you, I'd rather watch this film ten times in one ago without breaks then sit through 1 film of the terribly Twilight Saga series. PROS: Kate in cat suit, Good acting, cool character design, an interesting intake in the Vampire vsYea I know this review is a lil' late but I got to tell you, I'd rather watch this film ten times in one ago without breaks then sit through 1 film of the terribly Twilight Saga series. PROS: Kate in cat suit, Good acting, cool character design, an interesting intake in the Vampire vs Werewolf phenomenon and did I mention Kate in cat suit?
CONS: Forgettable side characters, occasional effy writing especially in filler scenes, anti-climactic looking Hybrid. Seriously I expected something really awesome and cool but no its just a muscular guy with black skin and eyes, pretty simple and lame… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

cabrita

Sep 29, 2012

For me I found the film somewhat dull however it delivered great visuals and the odd scene that captured my attention. Also very good voice over narration from the protagonist. It must be set clear that this is not the type of film that really appeals to me.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

ERG1008

Aug 23, 2010

Vampires at war with Werewolves, man with rare blood type, in-fighting, Head Vampire gets awoken, general nonsense.
I saw this about four years ago & thought it was ok & the Werewolves were very good. On this re-watch, it's not very good at all. The effects are pretty average, the actingVampires at war with Werewolves, man with rare blood type, in-fighting, Head Vampire gets awoken, general nonsense.
I saw this about four years ago & thought it was ok & the Werewolves were very good. On this re-watch, it's not very good at all. The effects are pretty average, the acting terrible (even with Michael Sheen in it) & Kate Beckinsale spends most of her time pouting, flicking her hair & jumping around in slow motion.
Tries so hard to be cult & cool but falls well short of the mark.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

hoops2448

Dec 14, 2011

I was wrong. After watching Underworld again, I came to realise that not only is it the worst of the series, it has no redeeming features at all. It's garbage in the purest sense of the word. The acting is wooden with the best performances being ones from bit characters like Bill Nighy'sI was wrong. After watching Underworld again, I came to realise that not only is it the worst of the series, it has no redeeming features at all. It's garbage in the purest sense of the word. The acting is wooden with the best performances being ones from bit characters like Bill Nighy's Viktor and Michael Sheen's Lucian (probably why Rise of the Lycans is much more enjoyable). Kate Beckinsale lumbers from scene to scene in a sort of daze, spouting words with no semblance of feeling or thought. I can only imagine its because she is having a severe allergic reaction to the amount of leather shes wearing. Scott Speedman is tragically miscast as Michael not because he doesn't fit the character but because he is just a terrible actor. However the acting is just the beginning. Underworld is poorly directed with almost every scene being both poorly shot, framed and edited with them feeling like they are being rammed down your throat instead of neatly wrapped for your enjoyment. The main problem with the direction (by Len Wiseman) is that it is so remarkably unimaginative. It pushes no boundaries and doesn't try which carries over into the editing, sound mixing and everything else related to the film. The man behind the wheel should at least be able to steer. Len Wiseman got into the drivers seat drunk and everyone in the car held on for dear life.
Summing up, its just rubbish.… Expand

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

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24	#24 Most Discussed Movie of 2003
22	#22 Most Shared Movie of 2003