Isabelle Huppert Shines in Ulrike Ottinger's Campy 'The Blood Countess'

The acclaimed actress dominates the screen as the legendary vampire Erzsébet Báthory in this uneven but visually striking film.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Isabelle Huppert delivers a standout performance as the notorious vampire Erzsébet Báthory in Ulrike Ottinger's new film 'The Blood Countess'. Set in a stylized, anachronistic Vienna, the film follows Báthory's quest to destroy an ancient book that could make vampires mortal. While Huppert's captivating turn as the blood-thirsty noblewoman is the clear highlight, the film struggles to maintain its momentum, with other subplots and characters failing to match her hypnotic presence.

Why it matters

Huppert's performance as Erzsébet Báthory solidifies her reputation for playing complex, morally ambiguous characters with a delicate balance of menace and camp. The film also showcases Ottinger's distinctive visual style, blending historical elements with surreal, fantastical flourishes. However, the uneven pacing and underdeveloped supporting characters prevent the film from fully capitalizing on its promising premise.

The details

In the film, the resurrected Báthory arrives in Vienna on a mission to destroy an ancient book that could make vampires mortal. She checks into a hotel at 7 Blood Lane, where she encounters a cast of eccentric characters, including 'vampirologists' Theobastus Bombastus and Nepomuk Afterbite, and the reluctant vampire Rudi Bubi von Strudl. As Báthory begins feasting on the city's innocent, Inspector Doubter is tasked with tracking her down. The film revels in its campy, Pynchon-esque world-building, with lavish production design and costumes complementing Huppert's captivating central performance.

  • Báthory rises from the dead and arrives in Vienna to begin her quest.
  • Báthory checks into the hotel at 7 Blood Lane and encounters the eccentric cast of characters.
  • Báthory begins feeding on the city's residents, prompting Inspector Doubter to investigate.

The players

Erzsébet Báthory

The legendary vampire noblewoman at the center of the film, played by acclaimed actress Isabelle Huppert.

Theobastus Bombastus

A 'vampirologist' and one of the eccentric characters Báthory encounters at the hotel.

Nepomuk Afterbite

Another 'vampirologist' staying at the hotel with Báthory.

Rudi Bubi von Strudl

Báthory's reluctant vampire nephew, who spends most of his time with a psychoanalyst.

Inspector Doubter

The police inspector tasked with tracking down and stopping Báthory.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Huppert has always felt at home playing monsters—I mean this as the highest of compliments—and the effortlessness with which she slips into Erzsébet Báthory, the vampire at the heart of Ulrike Ottinger's The Blood Countess, makes you wonder why no one's ever thought of casting her as a bloodsucker before.”

— An Italian-Born, Critic (thefilmstage.com)

“Ottinger and co-writer Elfriede Jelinek—the Nobel laureate who wrote the book that spawned another extraordinary Huppert performance, The Piano Teacher—relish in some delirious world-building, stuffing The Blood Countess with the kind of puns and fabulously named characters you'd expect to litter a Pynchon novel.”

— An Italian-Born, Critic (thefilmstage.com)

What’s next

The film's premiere at the 2026 Berlinale has generated significant buzz, and anticipation is high for its wider release. Audiences and critics will be eager to see if Ottinger and Huppert can sustain the film's visual flair and Huppert's captivating performance throughout the entire runtime.

The takeaway

While 'The Blood Countess' may not fully live up to the promise of its premise, Isabelle Huppert's mesmerizing turn as the legendary vampire Erzsébet Báthory is a highlight that elevates the film. Ottinger's distinctive visual style and world-building also impress, even if the supporting characters and narrative struggle to match the lead performance. Huppert's fans will find much to savor in this campy, if uneven, vampire tale.