The legend returns. Two decades after his iconic battle with Dracula, Hugh Jackman once again dons the mantle of the world’s most feared monster hunter in Van Helsing 2: The Dark Rise (2025) — an explosive continuation of the gothic action saga that defined a generation of supernatural cinema. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, this long-awaited sequel takes the mythos of Van Helsing to new, chilling depths, blending horror, fantasy, and epic adventure into a cinematic experience that’s both terrifying and breathtaking.
Following his victory over Dracula, Van Helsing lives in the shadows of his own legend, haunted by memories of loss and cursed with immortality. But peace, as always, is fleeting. When whispers spread of an ancient evil awakening beneath the ruins of Eastern Europe — a force older and far more dangerous than any vampire or werewolf — Van Helsing is called back into battle. This time, his enemy isn’t a creature of flesh and fang, but a primordial power intent on reclaiming dominion over both the living and the dead.
The Dark Rise opens with an ominous sequence: catacombs erupting with black fire, angels turning to ash, and an ancient name spoken for the first time in millennia — Azazel, the fallen archdemon of rebirth. What follows is a relentless journey through cursed forests, haunted citadels, and blood-drenched kingdoms as Van Helsing races to stop a ritual that could end humanity itself. Every step draws him closer to the truth behind his curse — and the revelation that his greatest enemy may, in fact, be himself.
Jackman delivers one of the most powerful performances of his career, embodying Van Helsing as both warrior and weary soul. His portrayal is layered with sorrow, grit, and the faint glimmer of redemption. The film also introduces a stellar supporting cast: Anya Taylor-Joy as Celeste, a witch-scholar wielding forbidden light magic; Pedro Pascal as Elias Creed, a rogue templar with a haunted past; and Bill Skarsgård as the chilling embodiment of Azazel, whose presence dominates every frame.
Del Toro’s direction turns Van Helsing 2 into a gothic masterpiece — every shot a painting of shadows and fire, every creature a symphony of horror and wonder. From the icy ruins of Transylvania to the blood-red skies over Prague, the film’s visual scale rivals the greatest fantasy epics. The practical effects, seamlessly merged with digital mastery, bring new nightmares to life: towering liches, winged wraiths, and the grotesque “Children of the Pit” that crawl from beneath the earth.
But beyond the spectacle lies a deeper story — a meditation on sin, sacrifice, and the cost of salvation. The Dark Rise explores Van Helsing’s inner torment, peeling back the mystery of his cursed lineage and his divine connection to the very forces he hunts. As the lines blur between hunter and hunted, light and darkness, Van Helsing must decide whether his destiny is to destroy evil or become part of it.
The score by Bear McCreary heightens the tension with orchestral grandeur, merging gothic choirs with pounding drums and ancient chants. The result is a soundscape that feels as eternal as the war between good and evil itself.
Critics and early audiences hail Van Helsing 2: The Dark Rise as “a triumphant resurrection of gothic cinema,” praising its blend of action, emotion, and mythic storytelling. With its immersive world-building, haunting performances, and jaw-dropping visuals, this sequel doesn’t just revisit the legend — it redefines it.
