Underworld: Blood Wars
Vampire death dealer Selene fends off brutal attacks from both the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her. With her only allies, David and his father Thomas, she must stop the eternal war between Lycans and Vampires, even if it means she has to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Despite a moderate budget of $35.0M, Underworld: Blood Wars became a box office success, earning $81.1M worldwide—a 132% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) reveals meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Anna Foerster's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Selene
David
Marius
Semira
Thomas
Varga
Alexia
Cassius
Main Cast & Characters
Selene
Played by Kate Beckinsale
A vampire Death Dealer on the run, hunted by both Lycans and her own kind, seeking to end the eternal war.
David
Played by Theo James
A vampire warrior and ally to Selene, driven by loyalty and a hidden noble lineage.
Marius
Played by Tobias Menzies
The brutal Lycan leader seeking Selene to extract Eve's location and end the war in favor of Lycans.
Semira
Played by Lara Pulver
A cunning vampire council member with ambitions to use Selene for her own power schemes.
Thomas
Played by Charles Dance
David's father and a powerful vampire elder who leads the Nordic Coven.
Varga
Played by Bradley James
A loyal Lycan soldier and second-in-command to Marius in the war against vampires.
Alexia
Played by Daisy Head
A vampire warrior who secretly betrays her own kind to the Lycans.
Cassius
Played by James Faulkner
A vampire elder and member of the Eastern Coven council.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Selene narrates her isolation and endless war between vampires and Lycans. She is hunted by both species, running alone after losing Michael and her daughter Eve.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Semira, a vampire elder, offers Selene amnesty and a chance to train a new generation of Death Dealers, but it's revealed to be a trap to steal her blood and power.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Semira's betrayal is revealed and Selene is sentenced to death. She chooses to fight and escape rather than submit, fleeing the Eastern Coven with David to seek refuge with the Nordic Coven., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Selene emerges from the sacred waters with greatly enhanced powers and white hair, appearing to have achieved a new level of strength. She seems ready to end the war, but the reprieve is false., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Nordic Coven is overrun by Lycans and Semira's vampire army. Vidar is killed defending his people. The peaceful sanctuary is destroyed, representing the death of the alternative to endless war., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Selene realizes she must combine her warrior nature with the Nordic Coven's wisdom. David claims his rightful leadership. They choose to unite the covens and face both Marius and Semira together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Underworld: Blood Wars's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Underworld: Blood Wars against these established plot points, we can identify how Anna Foerster utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Underworld: Blood Wars within the fantasy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Thinner, Ella Enchanted and Conan the Barbarian.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Selene narrates her isolation and endless war between vampires and Lycans. She is hunted by both species, running alone after losing Michael and her daughter Eve.
Theme
Thomas speaks about legacy and sacrifice, hinting at the theme of breaking cycles of violence through unity rather than perpetual war.
Worldbuilding
Establishes the ongoing war, Selene's fugitive status, the vampire covens' internal politics, and the Lycan threat. David rescues Selene from an ambush and brings her to the Nordic Coven.
Disruption
Semira, a vampire elder, offers Selene amnesty and a chance to train a new generation of Death Dealers, but it's revealed to be a trap to steal her blood and power.
Resistance
Selene debates trusting the vampire covens. David urges her to accept the offer. She trains warriors while uncovering Semira's betrayal plot. Thomas mentors Selene about the Nordic Coven's different way.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Semira's betrayal is revealed and Selene is sentenced to death. She chooses to fight and escape rather than submit, fleeing the Eastern Coven with David to seek refuge with the Nordic Coven.
Mirror World
The Nordic Coven is introduced - a peaceful vampire society that has rejected war and violence. Elder Vidar and his daughter Lena represent an alternative path Selene has never considered.
Premise
Selene trains with the Nordic Coven, learning their ways of achieving enhanced abilities through spiritual discipline rather than blood theft. She undergoes trials and transformation in sacred waters while bonding with David.
Midpoint
Selene emerges from the sacred waters with greatly enhanced powers and white hair, appearing to have achieved a new level of strength. She seems ready to end the war, but the reprieve is false.
Opposition
Marius leads a massive Lycan army to attack the Nordic Coven. Semira's forces also advance. The peaceful Nordic vampires are unprepared for war. David learns he is the legitimate heir to the vampire leadership, adding political pressure.
Collapse
The Nordic Coven is overrun by Lycans and Semira's vampire army. Vidar is killed defending his people. The peaceful sanctuary is destroyed, representing the death of the alternative to endless war.
Crisis
Selene grieves the loss of the Nordic Coven and nearly succumbs to despair. She must decide whether to continue the cycle of violence or find another way to end the war permanently.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Selene realizes she must combine her warrior nature with the Nordic Coven's wisdom. David claims his rightful leadership. They choose to unite the covens and face both Marius and Semira together.
Synthesis
The final battle erupts. Selene uses her new powers to fight Marius while David confronts Semira. The combined vampire forces fight the Lycans. Selene defeats Marius, and David kills Semira, ending both threats.
Transformation
Selene stands with David as he is recognized as the new vampire leader. She has transformed from a lone warrior into a leader who can unite factions. The cycle of endless revenge may finally be broken.