Drama,History,Horror
United States of America,Germany,France
The Countess is a 2009 historical drama film directed by Julie Delpy, who also stars as the titular character, Countess Elizabeth Bathory. The movie is based on the legend of the real-life serial killer who was said to have bathed in the blood of virgins in order to maintain her youth and beauty.
The Countess Elizabeth, a wealthy and powerful noblewoman, lives in a castle in Hungary with her husband Ferenc Nadasdy (played by William Hurt) and their children. She is beautiful and admired by many, but she is also vain and obsessed with her appearance. When she starts to notice signs of aging, she becomes desperate to find a way to preserve her youth.
She consults a local witch who tells her that the blood of virgins has special properties that can keep her looking young. Elizabeth starts luring young girls to her castle and brutally murders them in order to extract their blood. She becomes increasingly unhinged as her obsession with beauty and youth takes over her life.
Meanwhile, her husband is away at war and she starts an affair with one of his soldiers. When he returns and discovers her infidelity, he banishes her from the castle. Elizabeth is left alone with her madness and her crimes, and eventually she is arrested and put on trial for murder.
The Countess is a chilling and fascinating portrayal of one of history's most notorious female killers. Julie Delpy's performance is captivating and the film is both visually stunning and emotionally haunting.
