Underworld Series – A Strong Start, A Legendary Prequel, and a Franchise That Lost Its Bite

Underworld – A Franchise That Nearly Had It All

The Underworld series is one of those franchises that quietly built a loyal following without ever quite getting the credit it deserved.

It had a strong identity from the beginning, a gothic aesthetic, a clear mythology, and most importantly, a simple but compelling idea:

What if vampires and werewolves weren’t monsters in the shadows… but organised, feuding clans with history, politics, and grudges?

For a while, it worked brilliantly.

Then, somewhere along the way, it started to drift.

Underworld Blu-ray collection including Quadrilogy box set and individual films

I have the quadrilogy Box Set, I believe there were no plans for another movie when this came out but that changed with the release of Blood Wars.

A Strong Beginning (2003–2006)

The original Underworld laid the groundwork perfectly.

It introduced Selene, the war between Vampires and Lycans, and a hidden world operating beneath modern society. The tone was dark, stylish, and surprisingly focused for what could have easily been a throwaway action film. And Kate Beckinsale was the main lead, say no more.

Then came Underworld: Evolution, which expanded everything.

Bigger budget, bigger scope, deeper lore, and more emphasis on the origins of both species. It didn’t reinvent the formula, but it didn’t need to. It built on what worked.

I’ve always liked films that explore hidden wars between species or factions. It’s a concept that, when done well, adds depth without overcomplicating things, something I also touched on in my look back at AVP. (post coming soon)

The Peak – Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Then came Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, and for me, this is where the series peaked.

Instead of pushing forward, it went backward, and that turned out to be the best decision the franchise ever made.

We finally saw:

The origin of the vampire–Lycan war
The brutal treatment of Lycans as slaves
Viktor’s arrogance and cruelty in full view
Lucian not just as a fighter, but as a leader

This wasn’t just backstory. It gave weight to everything that came before it.

The conflict stopped being “vampires vs werewolves” and became something much more human:

Power, oppression, and rebellion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie as I love when movies go deeper into their own lore.

Where It Started to Slip (2012–2016)

After that, the direction changed.

Underworld: Awakening and Underworld: Blood Wars aren’t bad films… but they feel different.

More modern.
More polished.
Less grounded.

The focus shifted toward:

Hybrid bloodlines
Bigger set pieces
Faster pacing
A slightly more “Hollywood” feel

And while all of that sounds good on paper, something got lost in the process.

The earlier films felt like they had history behind them.

The later ones felt like they were trying to keep the franchise alive.

Why the Early Films Worked So Well

The strength of the first three films wasn’t just action or visuals.

It was structure.

A clear hierarchy (Vampire elders vs Lycan leaders)
Defined rules and limitations
A sense that everything had consequences
Characters with motives beyond survival

By the time we reach the later films, those boundaries blur.

And once that happens, the tension drops.

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My 2 Cents on Each Film

Underworld (2003)

A strong, focused start. Stylish, contained, and confident. A cult classic for sure.

Underworld: Evolution (2006)

Bigger and more ambitious. Expands the lore without losing the core.

Rise of the Lycans (2009)

The best of the series. Adds emotional weight and purpose to the entire franchise.

Awakening (2012)

Entertaining, but feels like a shift toward spectacle over substance.

Blood Wars (2016)

Not bad, but lacks the depth and impact of what came before.

Final Thoughts

The Underworld series didn’t fail.

It just never quite reached the level it was capable of after Rise of the Lycans.

That third film proved there was a deeper story worth telling.

Unfortunately, instead of continuing that level of storytelling, the later entries leaned more into keeping the franchise going rather than evolving it.

Still, even at its weakest, there’s something about this series that keeps it rewatchable.

Maybe it’s the atmosphere.
Maybe it’s the concept.
Or maybe it’s just one of those ideas that was too good not to keep revisiting.

I might come back to this series again for a deeper dive, because there’s a lot more going on here than first meets the eye.

Thanks for Reading,

David

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Underworld (2003) – DVD / Blu-ray

Amazon UK | Amazon Ireland * linked to category as this version is hard to find

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About the Author

I’m David Condon, a movie enthusiast from Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been collecting DVDs and Blu-rays for years, and along the way my shelves have become a mix of favourites, hidden gems, and titles I occasionally decide to resell.

I’m not a professional critic, just someone who enjoys good films, well-made discs, and the odd rant about the quirks of collecting. This blog is where I share my thoughts, opinions, reviews, and experiences as a fan.

💬 Note from the Author
This blog is a hobby project where I write about DVDs, Blu-rays, and the ups and downs of being a collector. If you enjoyed this post, you might also like my other writing:

David Condon Finds – my lifestyle and review blog
David Condon Woodcraft – my main website focused on woodturning and handmade pieces

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