Isabelle Huppert vampire film lands North American distributor
Strand Releasing has acquired North American rights to Ulrike Ottinger's Isabelle Huppert vampire film "The Blood Countess," a baroque black comedy starring the French legend as Countess Elizabeth Báthory. The deal gives U.S. and Canadian audiences a theatrical path after the film's Berlinale premiere, with a Fantastic Fest bow set for Sept. 17.
The acquisition marks a significant North American landing for one of Europe's most anticipated genre titles of 2026. Strand Releasing, an indie distributor with deep ties to Huppert's catalog, will handle the release across the United States and Canada.
Key Takeaways
- Strand Releasing bought North American rights to "The Blood Countess" from Magnify Film Sales.
- The Isabelle Huppert vampire film will premiere at Fantastic Fest on Sept. 17 before a planned spring 2027 theatrical release.
- Ulrike Ottinger directed the baroque comedy, co-written with Nobel laureate Elfriede Jelinek.
- Strand has previously released several Huppert-led films, including Michael Haneke's "Time of the Wolf."
- The cast includes Birgit Minichmayr, Lars Eidinger, Thomas Schubert, and Conchita Wurst.
What Is 'The Blood Countess' About?
Inspired by the life and mythology surrounding Elizabeth Báthory, the 16th-century Hungarian aristocrat who became notorious in folklore as a serial killer, the film follows Huppert's vampire countess as she awakens from a centuries-long slumber. She sets out across Vienna with her devoted maid Hermine in search of a mysterious book capable of destroying her.
Ottinger conceived Huppert's vampire as an imperious, almost mythic presence rather than a conventional psychological portrait. "Here, the countess is iconic," Ottinger told Variety. "She is despotic and completely in control of her surroundings," adding that Huppert "brought glamour and elegance to that authority."
The screenplay was written by Ottinger with Elfriede Jelinek, the Nobel Prize-winning Austrian author of "The Piano Teacher." Ottinger first conceived the project more than 25 years ago, writing the script in 1998.
When Will the Film Open in North America?
"The Blood Countess" world premiered in the Berlinale Special Gala section earlier this year. Its U.S. premiere is scheduled for Fantastic Fest on Sept. 17, one of the genre circuit's highest-profile showcases.
Strand is planning a theatrical release in spring 2027. That timeline gives the distributor room to build buzz after the festival circuit and position the film for art-house audiences drawn to European cinema and offbeat horror-comedy.
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Why Did Strand Releasing Pick Up the Film?
The deal was negotiated by Jon Gerrans on behalf of Strand Releasing and Magnify Film Sales. Marcus Hu of Strand said the company is "thrilled to be handling this unique film from Ms. Ottinger and look forward to working with Isabelle again on another film."
That history matters. Strand has previously released several films starring Huppert, including Catherine Breillat's "Abuse of Weakness," Michael Haneke's "Time of the Wolf," and Guillaume Nicloux's "Valley of Love." The distributor's existing relationship with the actress may help it market a title that blends avant-garde sensibilities with camp vampire spectacle.
Who Else Stars in the Vampire Comedy?
Beyond Huppert, the ensemble includes Birgit Minichmayr as Hermine, Lars Eidinger, Thomas Schubert, André Jung, and Tom Neuwirth, better known as Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst. Ottinger, a leading figure of German avant-garde cinema whose films include "Madame X — An Absolute Ruler," "Ticket of No Return," and "Freak Orlando," used elaborate costumes, production design, and a highly stylized vision of Vienna to playfully subvert vampire-movie conventions.
Ottinger received the Berlinale's Honorary Golden Bear in 2020. Strand Releasing currently has Brydie O'Connor's "Barbara Forever" and Gregg Araki's 4K restoration of "Mysterious Skin" in release, with Mexico's Oscar entry "On the Road," directed by David Pablos, also on its upcoming slate.