Underworld 6: Rise of the Vampire (2025) – A Gothic Return to Selene’s World
The iconic Underworld franchise returns in 2025 with its sixth installment, Underworld 6: Rise of the Vampire. Directed by Len Wiseman, this new chapter promises to delve deeper into the vampire mythos, reuniting fans with Kate Beckinsale’s legendary character, Selene, in what may be her most personal battle yet.
The story picks up years after the events of Underworld: Blood Wars. A fragile peace has settled over the vampire and Lycan factions, but it is soon shattered by the reemergence of a forgotten vampire sect: the Nocturns. Once believed extinct, these ancient vampires were exiled for dabbling in forbidden blood rituals. Now, under the leadership of the ruthless Lord Draven, they have returned to reclaim dominance—threatening both vampire and Lycan survival.
Selene, having withdrawn from war and the politics of her kind, is reluctantly pulled back into the fray when the Nocturns begin targeting the remaining Elders and key bloodlines. As a newly empowered Elder herself, Selene must navigate internal vampire division and external threats while uncovering the dark truth behind the Nocturns' rise.
Joining her are new allies, including Alexei, a mysterious vampire warrior with a tragic past, and Lyra, a rogue Lycan who challenges Selene’s beliefs about loyalty and legacy. Their uneasy alliance forces Selene to reevaluate her role in the eternal conflict between species. Meanwhile, her daughter Eve remains a looming presence—potentially the key to stopping Draven, or the ultimate weapon he seeks to control.
Visually, Rise of the Vampire stays true to the franchise’s gothic roots—shadowy castles, blood-soaked battlefields, and underground vampire enclaves provide a haunting backdrop for the story’s evolution. The action is expected to be intense and stylized, with close-quarters combat, supernatural powers, and cinematic duels between immortals.
What sets this installment apart, however, is its emotional depth. Unlike earlier entries focused mainly on war and survival, this chapter explores themes of redemption, leadership, and the burden of immortality. Selene, long seen as a weapon, begins to embrace a more complex identity: protector, mentor, and perhaps even mother to a new generation of hybrids.
While the Underworld series has always thrived on its action and mythology, Rise of the Vampire aims to push its narrative forward. Fans can expect answers to lingering questions about the Corvinus bloodline, the origins of the vampire curse, and the future of both species. The film also sets the stage for potential spin-offs or legacy stories, with younger characters introduced who may carry the torch beyond Selene’s journey.
In summary, Underworld 6: Rise of the Vampire is shaping up to be both a thrilling continuation and a reinvention of the franchise. It honors the series’ dark fantasy roots while expanding its world with fresh threats, deeper character arcs, and a broader scope. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this could be the installment that reignites the eternal war between night’s deadliest creatures.
