Metamorphosis

Visiting the infamous castle of Bathory

A young American writer (Corey Sevier) and his two friends go to Hungary to research Countess Bathory wherein they happen upon a mysterious woman (Irena Violette) who leads them to the notorious citadel, which involves some perils. Once there, they learn of the ancient feud between the Bathory line and the Thurzo dynasty, plus way more. Christopher Lambert plays the head of the latter clan.

“Metamorphosis” (2007) is castle horror in the tradition of "Devil's Nightmare" (1971), “Howling V: The Rebirth” (1989) and "Subspecies" (1991), but with some ideas borrowed from “Reeker” (2005), which I can’t give away. I loved the set-up, which involves the first 45 minutes or so with spectacular central Europe locations (cited below). Unfortunately, the mayhem in the castle gets increasingly tedious in the second half, even cheesy (I recommend just rolling with it), but there’s an interesting twist in the epilogue.

Lambert has fun with his role while the statuesque Irena Violette does well in hers, not to mention she’s pleasing to the eye.

Two issues that the movie ignores: Bathory’s citadel is Čachtice Castle, which is in ruins and is located in Slovokia, not Hungary, although the area was part of the Kingdom of Hungary 400 years ago. The castle is about 65 miles north of the northwest border of modern-day Hungary.

The flick runs 1 hour, 42 minutes, and was shot in Hungary (Budapest), Germany (Saxony) and Austria (Kaprun & Tirol).

GRADE: B-