Netflix has struck gold with Castlevania and its spin-off Castlevania: Nocturne, resulting in some of the highest-quality animation the platform has ever enjoyed. Season two of Nocturne builds on its predecessor in awesome style, with a story focused on the delicate companionship between love and monstrosity. The battle between the self-proclaimed Vampire Messiah and an unlikely band of heroes – now bolstered by the returning Alucard – makes for a sensational experience that cannot help but feel like the curtain coming down for the last time.
The full fury of the fight is only unleashed in the final two episodes; a mesmerising display of action, colour, and violence that throws you back in your seat. Building up to that, though, are several carefully paced character explorations that go above and beyond what season one offered. The malevolent Drolta in particular has more of her torrid history shared, while Annette and Marie need to discover a resilience they didn’t know they had (and Marie’s path takes a compellingly dark turn).
The headline is Alucard’s return – he injects proceedings with a gravitas and breathless strength that help Nocturne’s second season rise above what came before. James Callis is gripping and riveting in equal measure as Dracula’s son, although the standout performances of Iain Glen, Thuso Mbedu, and Zahn McClarnon also deserve recognition. It all comes together to make one bloodthirsty, visceral cocktail of a series. The acting, the imagination, and the artistry on display prove thrilling. And if this is the end of Netflix’s foray into Konami’s universe, then what a note to end on.
CASTLEVANIA: NOCTURNE is out now on Netflix.
