The Countess (2009)
Julie Delpy's haunting portrait of Erzsébet Báthory — noblewoman, obsessive, and one of history's most feared figures — driven to monstrous acts by love and vanity.
The Countess - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Countess
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Julie Delpy
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, History, Thriller, Mystery, Horror
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 25, 2009 (Germany - 12), April 21, 2010 (France), December 3, 2009 (South Korea - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Bathory (FR)
- Production Companies: X Filme International, Celluloid Dreams Productions, X Filme Creative Pool, Fanes Film, Social Capital, EMC Produktion
- Production Countries: France, Germany, United States of America
The Countess - Plot
Kingdom of Hungary, 17th century. As she gets older, powerful Countess Erzsébet Báthory (1560-1614), blinded by the passion that she feels for a younger man, succumbs to the mad delusion that blood will keep her young and beautiful forever.
The Countess - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the dark world of Erzsébet Báthory unfold:
She sacrificed all for love and others for beauty
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The Countess - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Julie Delpy
Main Cast
- Julie Delpy
- Daniel Brühl
- William Hurt
- Anamaria Marinca
- Maria Simon
- Sebastian Blomberg
- Adriana Altaras
- Charly Hübner
- Andy Gätjen
- Frederick Lau
Writers
- Julie Delpy
Producers
- Andro Steinborn
- Matthew E. Chausse
- Christopher Tuffin
The Countess - FAQs
Is The Countess based on a true story?
Yes. The Countess is based on the real life of Erzsébet Báthory (1560–1614), a Hungarian noblewoman widely considered one of history's most prolific female serial killers. She was accused of torturing and murdering hundreds of young women, and Julie Delpy's film reimagines her story through the lens of obsessive love and vanity.
Where can you stream The Countess online?
The Countess is available to stream on AMC+, Philo, and Sundance Now. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Availability may vary by region — check JustWatch for the most current options in your area.
Did Julie Delpy write and direct The Countess?
Yes. Julie Delpy served as writer, director, and lead actress in The Countess, and also composed the film's score. This triple role makes the project a deeply personal creative vision, marking one of the most ambitious undertakings of her career as a filmmaker.
Who are the main actors in The Countess?
The Countess stars Julie Delpy as Erzsébet Báthory, Daniel Brühl as the young István Thurzó, and William Hurt as György Thurzó. The supporting cast includes Anamaria Marinca, Maria Simon, Sebastian Blomberg, Charly Hübner, Adriana Altaras, Andy Gätjen, and Frederick Lau.
What is The Countess about?
Set in 17th-century Hungary, The Countess follows the powerful noblewoman Erzsébet Báthory, whose unrequited obsession with a younger man spirals into a delusional belief that bathing in the blood of young women will preserve her youth and beauty, leading to a reign of terror and eventual downfall.
What genre is The Countess film?
The Countess blends Drama, History, Thriller, Mystery, and Horror. It functions as a psychological historical drama with dark thriller and horror undertones, exploring themes of vanity, obsession, power, and the corruption that follows unchecked authority in 17th-century European nobility.
When was The Countess released?
The Countess had its initial theatrical release on June 25, 2009, in Germany. It subsequently opened in South Korea on December 3, 2009, and in France on April 21, 2010. The film reached US audiences in June 2011.
How long is The Countess runtime?
The Countess has a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes (100 minutes). The film's focused length allows Julie Delpy to maintain a taut, atmospheric pace as she traces Erzsébet Báthory's psychological unraveling across the dark corridors of 17th-century Hungarian nobility.
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