The Blood Countess (German: Die Blutgräfin) is a 2026 vampire comedy film directed by Ulrike Ottinger, co-written by Ottinger and Elfriede Jelinek and loosely based on the mythology surrounding the Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory. It stars Isabelle Huppert as Báthory, alongside Birgit Minichmayr, Thomas Schubert, Lars Eidinger and André Jung.[1][2]
The film had its world premiere at the Berlinale Special Gala section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February 2026.[3]
Plot
The story follows Countess Erzsébet Báthory, who reappears in present‑day Vienna and searches for a mysterious book believed to have the power to eradicate evil. Accompanied by her maid Hermine and her melancholic nephew Rudi Bubi, she moves through historical sites in the city while vampirologists and a police inspector pursue her across Vienna and into Bohemia.[3]
Cast
- Isabelle Huppert as Elizabeth Báthory
- Birgit Minichmayr as Hermine
- Thomas Schubert as Rudi Bubi
- Lars Eidinger as Theobald Tandem
- André Jung as Theobastus Bombastus
- Karl Markovics as Inspector Unglaube
- Conchita Wurst as Master of Ceremonies
Reception
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 85% based on 13 reviews, with an average rating of 6.1/10.[4]
References
- ↑ "Die Blutgräfin mit Isabelle Huppert" (in German). taz. 17 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- ↑ Lodge, Guy (2026). "'The Blood Countess' Review: Isabelle Huppert in a Stylized Historical Thriller". Variety. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Die Blutgräfin / The Blood Countess". Berlin International Film Festival. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- ↑ "The Blood Countess". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
