In Season 1, Episode 6 of the Netflix series Castlevania: Nocturne, titled “Guilty Men Judged,” Countess Erzsebet Bathory (Franka Potente) makes her entrance in a golden armored dress as she arrives in France via a horse-drawn carriage, bathed in golden moonlight and beauty. Drolta Tzuentes (Elarica Johnson) and the vampire cultists bow and present Bathory with a virgin girl as a sacrifice to satisfy her bloodlust, as she has a penchant for drinking the blood of virgins. Bathory, who is the avatar of Sekhmet, the Egyptian Goddess of War, begins to display Sekhmet’s personality as she comments on her sister, The Moon, shining brightly with excitement, suggesting an alliance with Sekhmet to bring their father, Amun-Ra, the Sun, to his knees in submission. However, Sekhmet’s intentions are not mercy but rather a desire to kill Amun-Ra, extract his brains, and spew them into the dust. She expresses jealousy for the adoration her father received in ancient Egypt and predicts a future filled with darkness and terror.
As they walk towards a lake, Richter (Edward Bluemel) follows his grandfather, Juste Belmont (Ian Glein), in anger, as Juste had neglected to help raise his grandson after Julia’s death. Juste responds, stating he watched over and protected Richter from the shadows as he grew up and trained in the Renard household. He also provided Tera (Nastassja Kinski) with the means to support Richter’s upbringing and teenage years in exchange for keeping Richter unaware of his French grandfather’s existence. Unsatisfied, Richter informs Juste of his mother Julia’s claim that her father was dead and that she had traveled to the New World to continue the Belmont mission of fighting vampires like Olrox (Zahn McClarnon). Juste explains that his depression stems from the loss of loved ones and friends, including his wife Lydie and his friend Maxim, to vampires such as Lord Ruthven in the past. Juste believes that evil will always prevail, as there will always be more monsters and vampires to haunt humanity, rendering the sacrifices made by the Belmonts futile. Juste’s comment saddens Richter to tears, and unbeknownst to them, vampire enforcers led by Drolta’s bodyguard Nikolai (Fred Tatasciore) suddenly capture the Belmonts for execution.
Meanwhile, Annette (Thuso Mbedu) ventures into a forest to perform a ritual to commune with her deceased mentor, Cecile (Sharon D. Clarke), in the spirit world. In the spirit world, Cecile congratulates Annette on killing Vaublanc and provides comfort regarding Edouard’s “demise,” suggesting that his soul still exists as a Night Creature. Cecile advises Annette to be patient and forgive Richter, as everyone starts by “running away.” She encourages Annette to find strength within herself and her ancestors to fight against Bathory and her vampires.
In Machecoul, the Night Creatures in The Abbey’s cellar listen to “Edouard’s” (Sydney James Harcourt) singing, piquing their interest. The music also reaches the inn where Olrox and Mizrak (Aaron Neil) stay. The Aztec Vampire comments on the song, saying, “Mournful that day when guilty men shall rise from the dust to be judged.” This comment suggests that “Edouard” is likely threatening Mizrak, the Abbot (Sydney James Harcourt), and those working in The Abbey for turning him into a Night Creature. Mizrak dismisses the statement and questions Olrox about Richter’s fear of him.
Olrox shares his past, recounting when he met and loved a Mohican man from a small Massachusetts town who was passionate about the people and their quest for freedom. The Mohican man fought alongside revolutionaries during the American Revolution, nearly convincing Olrox to embrace the ideals of the revolution until Julia Belmont killed him. Mizrak interrupts, accusing Olrox of turning the Mohican man into a vampire without his consent. Olrox explains that he turned him into a vampire because he loved him and wanted to be with him forever, as vampires are immortal. Mizrak inquires if he plans the same fate for him, and Olrox assures Mizrak that he won’t because Olrox doesn’t love him. The conversation ends when “Edouard” stops singing to ask his Night Creature if he is comfortable with his status as an enslaved Night Creature guard. The guard, formerly the revolutionary Jacques (Fred Tatasciore), responds with a “no,” hinting at the possibility of some of the Night Creatures rebelling against the Abbot. The Infernal Machine’s transformation of Night Creatures appears to be a crude process, allowing them to retain some free will, morality, and memories as humans despite being loyal to their Forgemaster, the Abbot.
Maria (Pixie Davies) confronts her father, Abbot Emannuel, outside The Abbey regarding her status as Emmanuel’s daughter. She accuses Emmanuel of hypocrisy, favoring power over the people’s well-being, aligning with vampires, and summoning demons from Hell to create his Night Creature army. Before the conversation concludes, Erzsebet Bathory arrives in Machecoul, bringing joy and happiness to its citizens, both human and vampire. Meanwhile, in the inn, Olrox recounts his human past, describing the Spanish Conquistadors’ colonization, oppression, enslavement, and mass killings of his people, the Aztecs. The conquistadors justified their actions in the name of their God and sometimes their king. Olrox draws parallels between the Spanish Conquistadors’ religious justifications and the European vampires’ atrocities committed in the name of their Vampire Messiah.
Drolta notices Maria leaving a distressed Emmanuel and perceives this as the Abbot’s weakness, which Bathory could exploit to ensure his unwavering loyalty. Maria encounters her mother and Annette in the crowd as they witness Bathory entering The Abbey to solidify her alliance with the Abbot in their quest to suppress the revolution.
At the lake, Richter frees himself from captivity, battles with the vampire warriors, and rekindles the magic within him by conjuring powerful blue flames and ice to defeat Nikolai and the vampire warriors. This impressive feat earns Juste’s approval, and he returns the Belmont rope to his grandson. The two watch the sun rise over the lake and the forest.
The Vampire Messiah
In Castlevania: Nocturne Season 1, Episode 6, directors Sam Deats and Adam Deats, along with writer Clive Bradley, delivered an outstanding introduction to Erzsebet Bathory with her first actual appearance in the series. Erzsebet is a stunning yet cruel vampire because she embodies the avatar of the Egyptian Goddess of War, Sekhmet. It is unknown how much of Bathory’s identity she still possesses, as most of her dialogues relate to Sekhmet’s memories and personality. Although Bathory arrives at The Abbey to solidify her alliance with the Abbot, Drolta sees Maria with the Abbot, suggesting that Drolta will help her master find a way to exploit Maria to their advantage, ensuring the Abbot’s unconditional loyalty to the Vampire Messiah.
The episode also delves into Juste Belmont’s life as a vampire hunter and the loss of his friend Maxim. Maxim Kischine, a character from the game Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, meets a variety of fates depending on the player’s actions. Initially a close friend of the protagonist, Juste Belmont, Maxim is manipulated by the castle’s magic and his desire to protect his kidnapped friend, Lydie, leading to a showdown with Juste. The outcome of the battle and Maxim’s ultimate fate vary based on the player’s choices, with a good ending leading to Maxim’s rescue and reunion with Lydie. The bad endings result in his continued possession and defeat or sealing away in the castle. Castlevania: Nocturne likely follows the game’s bad ending, resulting in Juste’s growing depression until his wife, Lydie, dies.
Rating: 9/10