Netflix, the modern-day Van Helsing of vampire content, has once again beckoned to the creatures of the night and fans alike with the release of Castlevania: Nocturne. The animated series has subsequently made a grand entrance, debuting with a stellar Rotten Tomatoes score that mirrors the critical acclaim of its predecessor.
Boasting a pristine 100% Fresh rating from 9 critics and a respectable 69% audience score, Nocturne is poised to follow in the illustrious footsteps of its predecessor, the original Castlevania series, which carries a 94% Fresh rating and a 90% audience score.
This divergence in opinion sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the series that has both dazzled and puzzled its audience. As we bid adieu to familiar faces like Alucard and Trevor Belmont, we’re introduced to Richter Belmont, the last of the vampire-hunting Belmont lineage.
Richter, with a past as tragic as the tales spun in the history of vampire lore, is set on a collision course with the Vampire Messiah, a sinister figure who has struck a dark pact with the desperate French aristocracy.
Fortunately, Richter is not alone in this dance of death and darkness. Joining him are Annette, a sorceress whose origins are as mysterious as the spells she weaves, and Maria Renard, a distant relative and magic user, both embroiled in the struggle against the nocturnal menace threatening to plunge the world into eternal night.
Castlevania: Nocturne isn’t merely a tale of blood and battle; it’s a reflection of the times, mirroring the political upheaval and the cries for freedom rising from the smoke and fire of the revolution. Richter’s fight is not just against the creatures of the night; it is a fight for humanity, a symphony of personal loss, duty, and the indomitable human spirit.
As the series concludes its first season, leaving behind questions unanswered and stakes (pun intended) raised higher than ever, fans and critics alike find themselves in a dance of anticipation and cautious optimism.
With a narrative that is as engaging as it is frustrating at times, and a cast of characters that carry the weight of legacy and expectation on their shoulders, Castlevania: Nocturne is a nocturne of its own, a composition of dark, beautiful, and complex melodies that will continue to echo through the halls of the Castlevania fandom.
