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Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Play trailer Poster for Underworld: Rise of the Lycans R 2009 1h 32m Fantasy Action Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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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

Audience Reviews

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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 Liam D @Mediawatcher2003 Jun 7 It has the usually underworld cliches of being cool but actually being really stupid but the solid cast makes it one of the better movies in the franchise See more Read all reviews
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

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Cast & Crew

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Patrick Tatopoulos

Director

Michael Sheen

Lucian

Bill Nighy

Viktor

Rhona Mitra

Sonja

Steven Mackintosh

Tannis

Kevin Grevioux

Raze

Movie Clips

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Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

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Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

(L-R) Michael Sheen as Lucian and Kevin Grevioux as Raze in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." (L-R) Director Patrick Tatopoulos and story creator/producer Len Wiseman on the set of "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Bill Nighy as Viktor and Rhona Mitra as Sonja in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Rhona Mitra as Sonja and Bill Nighy as Viktor in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Rhona Mitra as Sonja and Michael Sheen as Lucian in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Steven Mackintosh as Tannis and Rhona Mitra as Sonja in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Bill Nighy as Viktor in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Michael Sheen as Lucian in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Rhona Mitra as Sonja in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Rhona Mitra as Sonja in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." View more photos

Movie Info

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
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