Common Sense Media Review
By James Rocchi
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vampire vs. werewolf prequel is heavy on gore, low on fun.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say that the film is highly violent and contains explicit language, making it inappropriate for younger audiences despite some praising its engaging storyline and themes. Many reviews emphasize that while it includes elements of romance and gore, opinions vary widely on its suitability for children, with some arguing it should have a lower age rating.
- violence and language
- engaging storyline
- varied audience opinions
- suitability debates
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Set long before the events in Underworld, UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS establishes the vampires vs. werewolves clash of the saga's plot. It depicts both the creation of the first intelligent werewolf, Lucian (Michael Sheen), born into bondage at the hands of the vampire ruler Viktor (Bill Nighy), and his secret passion for Viktor's daughter, Sonja (Rhona Mitra). When Viktor discovers their love, he's furious -- and, with the imprisoned Lucian leading a revolt of his fellow werewolf slaves, facing other problems as well. ...
Is It Any Good?
This "threequel" features much of the same campy blood-drinking, neck-biting Romeo-and-Juliet Gothic romanticism of the first two films. But it lacks the goofy pleasures of their monsters-in-our-modern-world setting. Sheen (who's far from the prestige of films like The Queen and Frost/Nixon here) makes for an adequate male lead -- haunted, heroic, hairy, and hunky -- while Mitra evokes some of the pouting hauteur that Kate Beckinsale brought to the earlier films. But Underworld: Rise of the Lycans never quite has the guts or glory to be much more than what it is: a bloody-but-bland cash-grab of a prequel made on the cheap in the name of a quick buck.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether on-screen violence is less problematic when it depicts supernatural beings fighting, rather than regular people, as is the case in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. What about when the supernatural beings look human? What's the impact of watching this kind of violence?
Families can also discuss the movie's slaves-versus-rulers plotline -- how does the film's central conflict parallel race differences?
Why do you think Hollywood likes making prequels and sequels to popular franchises? Is it just to make money?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 23, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : May 12, 2009
- Cast : Bill Nighy , Michael Sheen , Rhona Mitra
- Director : Patrick Tatopolous
- Studio : Screen Gems
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody violence and some sexuality
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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