Van Helsing (2004) – A Gothic Action Spectacle with Monsters and Mayhem
Van Helsing, directed by Stephen Sommers, is a high-octane supernatural adventure that pays tribute to classic Universal Monsters while giving them a modern, explosive twist. Released in 2004, the film stars Hugh Jackman as the legendary monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing, a reimagined version of the character from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. With a mix of gothic horror, fantasy, and action, Van Helsing is a visually ambitious thrill ride through the darkest corners of 19th-century Europe.
The story follows Van Helsing, an amnesiac warrior employed by a secret religious order in Vatican City, who is sent on a mission to Transylvania. His goal: defeat the immortal Count Dracula (played with theatrical menace by Richard Roxburgh) and protect the last of the Valerious family — particularly the fierce and fearless Anna Valerious, portrayed by Kate Beckinsale. Dracula’s plans threaten to unleash a monstrous legacy, using the power of Frankenstein’s creature and a horde of werewolves and vampires.
From the moment Van Helsing arrives in Transylvania, the action barely lets up. Sommers, known for his work on The Mummy franchise, fills the screen with elaborate set pieces, fast-paced battles, and sweeping CGI landscapes. While the film leans heavily into style over subtlety, it embraces its pulp roots with unashamed enthusiasm. Gothic castles, full moons, and secret laboratories abound, drenched in fog and mystery.
Hugh Jackman plays Van Helsing with a brooding intensity, torn between his duty and a haunting past he can’t remember. He’s both swashbuckler and tortured soul, a monster hunter who questions whether he’s become a monster himself. Kate Beckinsale brings strength and elegance to Anna, holding her own in battle while preserving her family's honor. Their chemistry adds a romantic spark to the darkness.
Visually, Van Helsing is a feast of gothic design — from the sweeping architecture to the grotesque transformations of Dracula’s brides and werewolves. The score by Alan Silvestri adds a dramatic, operatic layer that enhances the film’s epic tone.
Though critics were divided, Van Helsing has gained a cult following for its over-the-top energy and love for classic monster lore. It’s a film that doesn’t hold back — it delivers sword fights, supernatural creatures, and high drama with a sense of cinematic adventure that’s rare in modern blockbusters.
If you’re looking for a moody, monster-filled thrill ride with a big heart and bigger explosions, Van Helsing is a wild ride worth taking.
