- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Isabelle Huppert Stars as 'The Blood Countess' in New Ulrike Ottinger Film
The legendary actress leads the cast of Ottinger's first narrative feature in years, premiering at the 2026 Berlinale.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Legendary German filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger is returning with her first narrative feature in quite some time, "The Blood Countess," which stars acclaimed actress Isabelle Huppert in the title role. The film, co-written by Ottinger and author Elfriede Jelinek, is inspired by the 16th-century Hungarian serial killer Elizabeth Báthory and follows the Countess as she re-emerges in modern-day Vienna to track down a dangerous book with the power to destroy all evil, including vampires like herself.
Why it matters
Ottinger is a highly respected and influential figure in world cinema, known for her bold, visually striking films that explore themes of identity, sexuality, and the human condition. Her collaboration with Huppert, one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, is sure to generate significant interest and critical attention, particularly at the prestigious Berlinale film festival.
The details
In "The Blood Countess," Huppert's Countess teams up with her devoted underling, Hermine, played by Birgit Minichmayr, to embark on a scavenger hunt through Vienna's historic sites in search of the powerful book. Along the way, they conscript the Countess's melancholic nephew, a vegetarian vampire named Rudi Bubi (Thomas Schubert), and his psychotherapist. Meanwhile, a pair of vampirologists and a police inspector remain hot on their trail.
- The Blood Countess will have its world premiere at the 2026 Berlinale film festival.
The players
Ulrike Ottinger
A highly respected and influential German filmmaker known for her bold, visually striking films that explore themes of identity, sexuality, and the human condition.
Isabelle Huppert
A legendary French actress who has starred in numerous critically acclaimed films and is considered one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation.
Elfriede Jelinek
An Austrian playwright and novelist who co-wrote the screenplay for "The Blood Countess" with Ulrike Ottinger.
What’s next
The Blood Countess will have its world premiere at the 2026 Berlinale film festival, where it is expected to generate significant buzz and critical attention.
The takeaway
The collaboration between legendary filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger and acclaimed actress Isabelle Huppert is a highly anticipated event in the world of cinema, as the two artists come together to reinterpret the vampire myth in a sumptuous and morbidly comedic adventure tale.
