In Season 1, Episode 8 of the Netflix series Castlevania: Nocturne, titled “Devourer of Light,” the vampires, led by Drolta Tzuentes (Elarica Johnson), head to Machecoul to meet with Abbot Emmanuel (Richard Dormer) at the Abbey, consolidating the Abbot’s loyalty to the Vampire Messiah. During the eclipse, Erzsebet Bathory (Franka Potente) uses her powers and the eclipse to incarnate into Sekhmet. Following the transformation, Sekhmet heads to the Abbey to oversee the Abbot and pledges his loyalty to her.

At Machecoul, Richter Belmont (Edward Bluemel) and his group face the Knights of Saint John. Mizrak (Aaron Neil) fails to sway them to their side due to their zealot loyalty to the Abbot. They take down the knights and head to the Abbey to free Maria (Pixie Davies) from Emmanuel’s attempt to sacrifice her to Erzsebet and fight night creatures during the attempt. The rescue attempt is successful. Immediately, the mission changes to ridding the Infernal Machine from the Abbey by throwing it back into Hell. While Richter and Maria fight the night creatures, Tera will use the infernal book to open a gate into Hell as Annette (Thuso Mbedu) uses her powers to push the Infernal Machine through the gateway into Hell. The fight escalates when Drolta and the vampires aid Emmanuel and the night creatures, but unknown to the monsters, Olrox (Zahn McClarnon) uses his magic to help Mizrak but conceals himself to prevent the vampires from knowing his betrayal.

The mission goes awry with the arrival of Sekhmet in the Abbey, who effortlessly defeats Richter, Maria, and Tera. Due to this, Annette fails to throw the infernal machine back into Hell and retreats, but not before saying goodbye to “Edouard” (Sydney James Harcourt). Mizrak attempts to kill Sekhmet, but Olrox intervenes and takes him far away from Machecoul. Mizrak confronts Olrox until he realizes that Olrox does love him, but this does not deter Mizrak from running back to the Abbey to help Richter. After defeating Richter, Sekhmet confronts Maria and wants to transform her into a vampire. Tera intervenes and, to save her daughter, volunteers to become a vampire by convincing Sekhmet and Drolta that she can be a powerful servant due to her status as a powerful sorceress. Convinced, Sekhmet transforms Tera into a vampire, to the horror of Richter, Maria, Annette, and Mizrak. Defeated, the four escape Machecoul and are pursued by Drolta and a squadron of vampires.

Outside of Machecoul, the four prepare to fight Drolta and the vampires until Alucard, son of Dracula, intervenes and kills Drolta when he pierces his sword into her heart. Shocked and angry, Drolta screams as she withers and dies. The vampires who follow Drolta become fearful when they learn of Alucard’s identity and retreat to Machecoul. The group, aside from Annette, who had not heard of Dracula, is shocked that Alucard is not a myth. As the group’s only hope, Alucard announces his intention to aid Richter and fight the Vampire Messiah.

Alucard, Son of Dracula

In Castlevania: Nocturne Season 1, Episode 8, directors Sam Deats and Adam Deats, along with writer Clive Bradley, delivered a fantastic finale with a powerful cliffhanger for the second season. The episode masterfully weaves together intricate plotlines, showcasing the creative prowess of the directors and the narrative depth brought by Bradley.

The narrative tension escalates as the characters confront their adversaries in Machecoul, each facing their trials and tribulations. The strategic use of the eclipse by Erzsebet Bathory adds a supernatural layer to the conflict, providing a visually stunning backdrop for the unfolding events. The direction skillfully captures the intensity of the battles, emphasizing the stakes involved and keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Richter Belmont and his group’s clash with the Knights of Saint John is a riveting sequence, highlighting challenges in rallying support against the Abbot and the vampire forces. The dynamic between the characters is well-developed, and the directors showcase their ability to balance action with character-driven moments seamlessly.

The transformation of Tera into a vampire adds a shocking twist to the narrative, as her sacrifice to save her daughter raises the emotional stakes for the protagonists. The revelation of Olrox’s hidden agenda further complicates the allegiances within the supernatural realm, setting the stage for intricate power dynamics in the upcoming season.

The arrival of Alucard introduces a game-changing element to the storyline, resolving the immediate threat posed by Drolta and the vampires. The directors skillfully build suspense leading up to this moment, and the payoff is satisfying as Alucard’s intervention not only saves the group but also leaves a lasting impact on the unfolding narrative.

The season finale concludes with a tantalizing cliffhanger, leaving exciting anticipation for the second season. The creative team’s ability to craft a compelling and multi-layered narrative is commendable, and the finale sets the stage for further exploration of the Castlevania universe. As the episode ends, the episode leaves questions, ensuring that the intrigue and excitement will carry over into the next installment. Overall, Season 1, Episode 8 stands as a testament to the storytelling prowess of the Castlevania team, leaving great anticipation for the next chapter in this enthralling saga.

Rating: 9/10