Stereotypes In The Underworld Film

In the Underworld film, there are two species who are rivals, the vampires and the werewolves or lycans. For centuries a war existed between the two species for political power and over who is more powerful than the other.
In the vampire clan, they don’t choose or elect their leader. The most powerful and eldest vampires are the ones who rule. This is in a cyclical manner wherein one of the leaders reigns while the other vampire elders sleep or rest. After a few centuries, the leader who reigns will be replaced by another vampire elder and the former vampire leader in turn will be the one resting. However, the vampire leader can appoint another vampire to lead if the leader deems that vampire suitable for his/her place before resting, the son or daughter of the vampire leader can also take over his/her place in the same way.

Movie still 1: Vampire elders preparing for battle with the lycans (from the movie “Underworld: Evolution”, 2006)

On the other hand the werewolves or the lycans
do not have a specific method in choosing their leaders. Only Lucian has been their leader for centuries, who is the strongest of them. Also Lucian was once a slave of the vampires (all of lycans are before the war) and serves as Victor’s main fighter during the day making him the most experienced and has the most knowledge about vampires among the lycans.
In the film there are two vampire elders resting, Marcus and Victor, the two of the most powerful and eldest of the vampires.
Another elder is Amelia but she is a leader of another clan. However, Kraven became the present leader because Victor appointed him. Victor only appointed him for Victor and all other vampires believed that Kraven killed Lucian (the lycan leader) which is a lie. For in reality Lucian is alive and in fact Kraven has an agreement with him, that Lucian will not expose himself and make everyone believe he is dead and Kraven killed him if Kraven never interrupts Lucian. Selene, a death dealer (vampire warriors that are specifically trained to fight lycans) and the adopted daughter of Victor, sees through Kraven’s deceit. This results in Selene’s impulsive decision to awaken Victor although it is not Victor’s turn to be awakened and lead yet. Moreover, this resulted in a complete disorder among vampires, for Marcus was supposed to be the one awakened and
rule. Movie still 2: Selene fighting a lycan (from the movie “Underworld”, 2003)

There was also Michael, a direct descendant of Alexander Corvinus (the first real immortal and where vampires, lycans and humans originated). He is the one Lucian and the lycans are looking for centuries, a descendant who can survive from both vampire and lycan blood and can become a hybrid. Michael being a hybrid whose capabilities are unlimited is sooner is considered by Victor as threat and as an abomination when in fact Victor is only afraid that Michael might surpass his powers and defeat him. Afterwards the battle of Victor against Michael and Selene ended in Victor’s death.
The political system of vampires seems unjust for the leader has the only authority to choose the one who will succeed him, making them a monarchial type or aristocratic type for the vampire leaders only choose vampires who have high ranks in their society. However, their political system has a few similarities to ours. The negative semblance is that some vampire leaders also create falsehoods to obtain their position. Another is some destroy or exile whoever is in their way and who they deem to be a threat just to secure or acquire their position. The positive similarity is their political system is organized giving them an orderly society.

Works Cited

Wright, R. S., Lucchesi, G., Rosenberg, T. (Producers), & Wiseman, L. (Director). (2003). Underworld [Motion Picture]. United States of America.