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.
The film had its world premiere at the Berlinale Special Gala section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February 2026.
Contents
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.
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
Release
The Blood Countess will have its North American Premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 17, 2026. Strand Releasing acquired North American sales rights of the film before its North American Premiere.
Reception
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 86% based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10.
