The “Castlevania” series by Netflix shocked the world upon its premiere in 2017. Dubbed as one of the finest video game adaptations of all time, the series has created an immersive world of intricate details, a fantastic plot and dynamic characters. So, it is only natural that if a spin-off were to be released, it would have the duty to stay on par with its predecessor.
Enter “Castlevania: Nocturne”, the next installment in the franchise that comfortably takes the wheel and breaks the ceiling. Nocturne is a refreshing continuation of the franchise that promises high stakes from its opening credits and plays its hands to near perfection quite easily. While it is not required to have seen “Castlevania” first to enjoy the spin-off, it is recommended since you will understand so many references to the original series as well as the rich lore of the universe. The story is as follows- The French Revolution is gaining momentum and as a result, the elites of the society, in fear that their exclusivity will be diminished, shake hands with ruthless vampires to incite terror among the revolutionaries. Enter Richter Belmont, an orphaned teenager with sharp skills in curated weapons for vampire killing. While growing up in an aunt’s house in France, he aids his cousin in arranging the revolution in their region. Things soon turn very dark as on one hand, they explore the Church’s complex stance on the whole situation, and they also find out about the vampire messiah, a creature so malicious and wicked that it would bring eternal darkness. Richter, joined by his magic wielder cousin, Maria, and an elemental user, Annette, must put a stop to the resurgence of the vampire messiah as well as uncover the secrets of the church.
The story is crafted masterfully. It is complex, terrifying, and ends on a cliffhanger that only elevates the excitement. The plot pacing is perfect, each character gets their own background check, and there are genuinely some moments that will fill you with adrenaline.
The characters of Nocturne are also very detailed. There is an inherent complexity in them that makes the plot very riveting. Take, for example, the composed vampire Olrox, who killed Richter’s mother in front of his very own eyes. He genuinely seems malicious at first, but his malevolence is soon questioned as we dive deeper into his character arc. The same goes for the father of the Church, who seems menacing, but underneath the cunning eyes, there are details that leave you shocked. Each character is given a new layer of depth as they fully explore their stakes in the plot.
But while there is an abundance of well-realized characters, it is not “Castlevania” without a proper antagonist and Nocturne delivers on that too. Erzsebet Bathory, a character most terrifying in both her physical and psychological design, is the main villain of the show’s first season. Her presence alone is enough to give goosebumps, and there is something nefarious in the way she smiles and speaks. Bathory also has a scary appetite for virgin girls’ blood and she loves to keep her prey alive for as many days as she wishes while slowly draining their lives away. She later goes through a metamorphosis, making her already petrifying persona even scarier.
Finally, we ask ourselves, is it even a “Castlevania” series without marvelously animated fight scenes? From the first episode to the thrilling cliffhanger, Nocturne has shown finesse every time there is a fight. There are colorful sparks, dumbfounding magic and a quirky presentation of Belmont’s classic whip. The flawlessness in animation is an exemplary display for other animated series. Also, contrary to the Original “Castlevania”, the emphasis on magic here is more visible, and how dynamically it is explored both in terms of variety and animations makes the series the perfect bearer of “Castlevania’s” legacy.
So, if you want some spook, unrestricted action, and overall a rich story to enjoy for a couple of hours, do not sleep on “Castlevania: Nocturne”. Watch the first season of this Netflix animated series this Halloween and explore the lore to your satisfaction.
Saugata Debnath can be reached at [email protected]