Elisabeth Báthory: New film explores the myth of the Blood Countess

The legend of Elisabeth Báthory, the Hungarian noblewoman known as the “Blood Countess,” is being revisited through a new cinematic adaptation titled “Die Blutgräfin.” Starring Isabelle Huppert, the film is described as a horror-comedy that approaches the dark myth with humor.

Historically, Báthory was arrested in 1610 following allegations of severe crimes against her servants. While legends suggest she murdered hundreds of young women to bathe in their blood to preserve her youth, historians note that the evidence relied heavily on testimonies obtained under torture. The exact number of victims remains a subject of debate, with figures ranging from dozens to as many as 650.

Directed by Ulrike Ottinger with a script by Elfriede Jelinek, the film explores themes of immortality and camp avant-garde, set against a stylized backdrop of Vienna.