Underworld Awakening poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley ... see more see more... , Sandrine Holt , Charles Dance , Kris Holdenried , Jacob Blair , Adam Greydon Reid , Catlin Adams , Robert Lawrenson , Lee Majdoub , John Innes , Tyler McClendon , Panou , Ian Rozylo , Benita Ha , Christian Tessier , Kurt Max Runte , Mark Gibbon , Richard Cetrone , Dan Payne , Scott Speedman

Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence ... read more read more...of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. -- (C) Official Site

Flixster Users

64% liked it

73,678 ratings

Critics

28% liked it

64 critics

R, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein

Release Date: January 20, 2012

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: May 8, 2012

Get It:

Stats: 5,306 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Underworld Awakening Selene kate beckinsale Underworld: Awakening Underworld: Awakening Underworld: Awakening Selene Underworld: Awakening Selene Selene Underworld 4: New Dawn Selene Selene Underworld: Awakening Underworld: Awakening Underworld: Awakening
Upload a Photo | View All Underworld Awakening Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (5,306)

  • fb100000145236770
    May 24, 2012
    fb100000145236770
    **
    Kate Beckinsale returns(she skipped the third movie) for the fourth installment in the "underworld"series as the vampire Selene. Here, humans have discovered the existance of vampires and werewolves and set out to rid the world of them. The basically start an all out war. C... read moreapturing and freezing Selene and Michael(scott speedman) they seem to have all but won the war, then Selene escapes. Upon her escape she finds a small girl who is a hybrid(like Michael) and does everything she can to protect her from humans and these super werewolves. It's filled with action(sadly, I didn't see this in 3D), and plenty of gore. But, it's also filled with a bad story, but actings,and some cheesey special effects(the werewolves look kind of like scrappy doo from the Scooby movie). This is probably the worst of the series,but it doesn't seem to be the last. Hopefully they can do better next time. Watch if you enjoy the "underworld" franchise,but keep expectations low and hope for the potential in a better fifth movie.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 22, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Fourth film in the Underworld series is a mediocre film that combine, action and horror. What starts off to be promising film quickly turns tiresome. Underworld Awakening is a mindless popcorn action horror flick with a minimalistic story. I felt with this entry, the film had a p... read morelot that just didn't deliver. The film had potential, but it just ended up being a mindless actioner. The Underworld series is one of the few action horror films that had a big potential in being something better than what they turned out to be. Rise of the Lycans was a decent flick, and along with the first film brought something unique to the vampire genre. With this fourth film, the filmmakers have clearly run out of ideas. I thought that the idea of Selene having a daughter was interesting, but there just wasn't any real substance to the idea, it was as if the producers were like ok in this film Selene has a daughter, and we're going to have Kate Beckinsale kick ass for an hour and twenty minutes. With this film, there's simply no depth its plot to truly make it engaging. I just hope this will be the final entry in the series because there's really nothing good going for this series anymore. Rise of the Lycans was flawed, but was a decent action horror film that explored the back story of the feud. With this one it just seemed they made to keep the series going without any merit to do something good and thrilling. The delivers on the action, but lacks an effective plot, which in turn ends up being a shallow emotionless film. There could have been something good here, but the result is a film where the filmmakers didn't seem to care about the outcome. The end result is a mediocre film with good action, but an underdeveloped plot.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    May 20, 2012
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "For 12 years, I was held captive by the humans. The world I once knew has changed. Vampires and Lycans are now the hunted."

    When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrioress Selene l... read moreeads the battle against humankind.

    REVIEW

    Underworld: Awakening is easy enough to like. The truth is, despite the utter lack of a storyline, this movie is enjoyable. As the movie carried on, I couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen next. Then it ended. Many movies nowadays are 90 minutes. Movies that short, however, are usually weak seeing as they don't have the time to develop a storyline. A movie usually needs to be about two hours or more in order to develop a decent storyline. Underworld: Awakening presents itself well from the beginning. The quick recap of events makes it unnecessary to be a fan of the series. It'll catch you up on all the basics. It hardly matters, however, since the storyline for this movie goes in an entirely new direction. I like the setup.

    But, about halfway through the movie, the plot bends in a new and all too predictable direction. Meanwhile, the script is so bare-bones that it is impossible to get a feel for any of the characters. Even the most important relationship in the movie-between patient one and patient two-is skipped over as if it were irrelevant. This movie relies on its action scenes. This is what makes this movie fun to watch. Although there are several times where the special effects are lacking (the Lycans reminded me of the unspeakable creatures from The Princess Bride/the girl reminds me of the girl from The Ring), the action scenes are generally fun to watch. Kate Beckinsale has the ability to make you feel like you really are watching a deadly ninja with superpowers. If she were handed a better action script, she would probably be able to make it soar.
  • MizturY0da
    May 17, 2012
    MizturY0da
    three stars!!
  • jlewis07
    May 13, 2012
    jlewis07
    I think the first one is probably still my favorite, but in terms of technical film-making, this is the best of the series. The special effects no longer look cheesy and the movie has done away with the gothic look for a more glossy, high tech look that makes it feel more futuris... read moretic. Kate Beckinsale is still fantastic (and still looks good in leather) and the script is not overdone with mythology that is hard to keep up with. It's more action, less story, but still interesting (and the action is the best directed in the series). My only real complaint is that it ends on a cliffhanger. It already took them this long to get Kate back in the series and her return has been long anticipated and I'm just worried the sequel will either never happen or take another 6 years (the gap between the Beckinsale led Underworld movies). Regardless, I like the direction the series is going in.
  • allan913
    May 6, 2012
    allan913
    Despite its seventy eight minute running time and thats without the credits, its possiably the best installement yet from its pair of swedish directors. An explosive and heart-pounding action-packed thrill-ride. The action and effects are awesome and Beckinsale is just fierce as ... read moreever in the lead role. It`s story is solid and has some trong performances.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    April 3, 2012
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Vengeance Returns

    Not bad! It was decently good although could have been a little better with a better storyline. Kate Beckinsale looked good and she stays in shape which was a plus in this movie. If you have seen the series you don't wanna miss this one.

    Mankind discover the e... read morexistence of the Vampire and Lycan species and they begin a war to annihilate the races. When Selene meets with Michael in the harbor, they are hit by a grenade and Selene passes out. Twelve years later, Selene awakes from a cryogenic sleep in the Antigen laboratory and meets the Vampire Thomas. She learns that she had been the subject of the scientist Dr. Jacob Lane and the Vampire and Lycan species have been practically eradicated from Earth. But Selene is still connected to Michael and has visions that she believes that belongs to Michael's sight. However she has a surprise and finds that she has a powerful daughter named Eve that has been raised in the laboratory. Now Selene and Thomas have to protect Eve against the Lycans that intend to use her to inoculate their species against silver.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    March 23, 2012
    FiLmCrAzY
    Of course i believe directers and film producers just make movies for the hell of it just to make money, however i wish they'd stopped milking some of my favourite movies in order to do so, i mean the first two underworlds brilliant the third one: although not necessary still goo... read mored and i enjoyed it however this one is just lacking the excitement and joy of making the first two, they had no way of really making a fourth one without coming up with some pointless story which made it even more ludacris: well they succeed at that and by the looks of it we could have a 5th one on its way! Kate Beckinsale is on top form and im sure i speak for everyone when i say we enjoy watching her on screen however this movie shouldnt have been made they should have quit whilst they were ahead!
  • phubbs1
    March 13, 2012
    phubbs1
    Following on from 'Evolution' we see both the lycan and vampire species in threat from humans after being hunted down to the brink of extinction.

    You know what to expect here and boy do you get it in spades, slow motion high flying kills, double gun totting shooting, swishing bl... read moreades, spurting blood and endless dumbass man fodder to thicken the brew. In short its exactly like the newer 'Resident Evil' films and you half expect Jovovich to pop up and take over. The super lycan serum which results in an uber lycan is pretty much the pinnacle of crapola in this franchise now, a total 'Resi Evil' idea type rip off and it lowers the overall class of the whole series.

    The plot is isn't tooooo bad, they manage to carry it on quite well and do a good job with keeping 'Corvin' around despite Speedman not being involved, but the rest of the cast is pretty awful really. Charles Dance seems to be there only to provide a new 'Viktor' type character and he clearly has difficulty speaking with his fangs in haha he even tries some of Nighy's head movements, the rest of the supporting cast all come across as B-movie fare frankly, even previous vampire actor Rea can't help the cause.

    The whole film feels very basic really with some terrible cgi effects (worse than the previous films), the lycans look like shaven rats, transformations are pretty dreadful looking, the 'vision' perspective looks crap and the young 'Eve' looks like something outta 'Mortal Kombat', everything looks plastic and fake.

    End of the day it does what it says on the tin and we all know what this film is about so I can't moan too much but I just get the feeling they could of left it as it was. They really have gone way over the top with all this slo-mo action and the fact that 'Selene' can kill endless lycans yet no one else can just loses any real acceptance of the universes reality anymore, yes its over the top fantasy but there is still a limit.
    The thing is I can see this franchise really being milked completely into the depths of the 'straight to DVD' abyss which is a shame as it is/was decent but this kind of W.S. Anderson film making is becoming infuriating.
  • EightThirty
    February 19, 2012
    EightThirty
    17/02/2012 (ONLINE)

View All Underworld Awakening Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
March 23, 2012
Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Pitiless, puerile, pointless and perfunctory -- and those are just the "P's." Full Review

Joe Leydon
January 23, 2012
Joe Leydon, Variety

Once again, Beckinsale brings an impressive physicality and subzero cool to her portrayal of Selene. Full Review

Laremy Legel
January 23, 2012
Laremy Legel, Film.com

Kate Beckinsale's "Selene" remains one-note, but it's a wildly entertaining note. Full Review

Andy Webster
January 22, 2012
Andy Webster, New York Times

The combat quotient, to the movie's credit, is way up, with narrative folderol kept to a minimum. Full Review

Tom Russo
January 21, 2012
Tom Russo, Boston Globe

The most generic entry of the bunch. Full Review

David Hiltbrand
January 21, 2012
David Hiltbrand, Philadelphia Inquirer

There's not much to this movie beyond a slick procession of dark, gleaming violence. Full Review

Glenn Whipp
January 21, 2012
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times

A brisk creature-feature that ditches the series' dreary mythology in favor of a more direct, action-oriented approach. Full Review

Peter Howell
January 21, 2012
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Beckinsale's Selene is back with a vengeance, that famous black catsuit and two fully cocked pistols, having wisely sat out the wretched third installment of the franchise. Don't expect much more than... Full Review

Nick Pinkerton
January 20, 2012
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice

The entire production is single-mindedly, earnestly devoted to serving up feats of BADASS, and it succeeds in this devotion to the exclusion of everything else. Full Review

Joe Neumaier
January 20, 2012
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

[The] latest, dreadful entry in the vampires-battling-werewolves franchise. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Rise: Blood Hunter
    Rise: Blood Hunter (0%)
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer (100%)
  • Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (Nosferatu the Vampyre)
    Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (Nosferatu the V... (0%)
  • Vampyros Lesbos (Lesbian Vampires: The Heiress of Dracula)
    Vampyros Lesbos (Lesbian Vampires: The Heires... (0%)

More Movies like Underworld Awakening

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Lycan Creature #1: I heal instantly.
    • Selene: I'm counting on it.
    • Eve: It's worse if you try to fight it, trust me.
    • Selene: I was with him one day, and when I awoke it was 12 years later.
    • Thomas: Silver ammunition!
    • Selene: My heart's not cold, it's broken.
    • Selene: This day was bound to come!
Submit a Fact | View All

Underworld Awaken... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Underworld Awakening. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Underworld Awakening Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Underworld Awakening to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Underworld Awakening News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?