Isabelle Huppert Shines in Campy 'The Blood Countess' Despite Uneven Plotting

German filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger's fictionalized take on the notorious Elizabeth Báthory features a commanding performance from the iconic actress but struggles to maintain narrative coherence.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Iconoclastic German director Ulrike Ottinger's The Blood Countess (Die Blutgräfin) is a campy, visually striking vampire tale starring the ever-captivating Isabelle Huppert as the legendary Hungarian noblewoman Elizabeth Báthory. While Huppert commands the screen with her regal presence, the film's haphazard, nonsensical plotting makes it a challenge to stay engaged throughout the protracted two-hour runtime.

Why it matters

The Blood Countess is the latest in a long line of films exploring the infamous Báthory case, in which the 16th-century countess was convicted of torturing and murdering hundreds of young women, allegedly bathing in their blood to maintain her youth. Ottinger's take on the material aims for a more stylized, darkly comedic approach, but struggles to balance its campy elements with a cohesive narrative.

The details

The film follows Huppert's Báthory as she emerges from decades of slumber in Vienna, where she exchanges a flirtatious glance with a young woman before draining her blood in a bathroom. Báthory and her devoted servant Hermione (Birgit Minichmayr) then embark on a quest to find and destroy an ancient book rumored to have the power to turn vampires back into mortals. Along the way, they encounter a host of eccentric characters, including a vegetarian Transylvanian baron, a quirky pair of vampirologists, and two bumbling police officers.

  • Báthory has been in slumber for decades before emerging in modern-day Vienna.

The players

Isabelle Huppert

A renowned French actress known for her captivating screen presence and ability to inhabit complex, often morally ambiguous characters.

Ulrike Ottinger

An iconoclastic German filmmaker, painter, and photographer who is known for her unconventional, visually striking cinematic style.

Elizabeth Báthory

A 16th-century Hungarian noblewoman who was convicted of torturing and murdering hundreds of young women, allegedly bathing in their blood to maintain her youth.

Hermione

Báthory's devoted servant, played by actress Birgit Minichmayr.

Baron Rudi Bubi

A Transylvanian baron, played by actor Thomas Schubert, who has shamed his family by going vegetarian.

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What they’re saying

“If you ever looked at the ageless face of Isabelle Huppert onscreen — the alabaster skin, the enigmatic smile, the eyes that seem to have a default setting of disdainful superiority — and thought all that was missing were a glistening pair of fangs and a tiny trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth, this is the movie for you.”

— David Rooney, Critic (The Hollywood Reporter)

The takeaway

While Isabelle Huppert's commanding performance as the iconic Báthory is a highlight, The Blood Countess ultimately struggles to maintain the delicate balance between its campy, visually striking elements and a cohesive narrative, resulting in an uneven viewing experience that may prove more rewarding for fans of Ottinger's unconventional style than those seeking a straightforward retelling of the Báthory legend.