Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Selene returns for more dreary action and very gory thrills.
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Underworld Awakening
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say that the film elicits mixed reactions with some finding it entertaining due to its fun action sequences and special effects, while others criticize its excessive violence and odd plot choices. Despite the gore and intensity, many viewers, particularly younger ones, enjoy the thrilling experience, pointing out the strong lead character as a positive aspect, though takeaway warnings highlight its adult themes and graphic content.
- fun action
- excessive violence
- strong female character
- adult themes
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After the events of Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2006), humans discover the existence of vampires and lycans and begin "cleansing" in UNDERWORLD AWAKENING. Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is captured, and her lover Michael is presumably dead. When she wakes up, she's shocked to find out that it's 12 years later and that the few surviving vampires and lycans have gone underground. She's even more shocked to discover that she has a daughter, Eve (India Eisley), a natural-born vampire-lycan hybrid. Eve has now come of age, growing up in a lab without knowing her mother. Unfortunately, after she escapes, the girl's disappearance draws the unwanted attention of angry lycans. With the help of Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy), Selene must figure out why.
Is It Any Good?
This follow-up to the first few Underworld movies is definitely gory, but someone forgot to also make it scary, exciting, sexy, and/or fun. After the boring dud Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans (2009), the filmmakers were smart to distance themselves from it and to bring Beckinsale back -- though that was arguably the last smart move they made. The entire movie consists either of gory, bloody fight scenes or dialogue scenes in which people argue and try to further the movie's feeble plot.
Beckinsale still looks great in her black vinyl and leather suit, but her character has no depth; in one scene she says, "my heart isn't cold ... it's broken," but we can't tell the difference. Other characters, such as the human police detective, don't seem to belong at all. The visual effects in Underworld Awakening are below average, which renders the digital lycans/werewolves completely ineffective. On the plus side, Swedish co-directors Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein have at least ordered up a nice-looking set.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Underworld Awakening's violence. Why do you think it's so graphic? Is that part of the appeal of a film like this? What would the movie be like if it toned down the blood and gore?
Can Selene be viewed as a positive role model? Is she strong? What is her character like? What are her goals?
What's the appeal of this vampires vs. werewolves series? How do they compare with other cinematic vampires or werewolves you've seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 20, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : May 7, 2012
- Cast : Kate Beckinsale , Michael Ealey , Stephen Rea
- Directors : Bjorn Stein , Mans Marlind
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Screen Gems
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence and gore, and for some language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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