The Vourdalak

In the ominous backdrop of 18th-century Eastern Europe, Marquis Jacques Antoine Saturnin d'Urfé finds himself seeking shelter one dismal night. He encounters a stranger who dismissively suggests he seek out the enigmatic Gorcha, setting the stage for his perilous journey.

The following day, Jacques Antoine navigates a treacherous forest and catches a glimpse of Gorcha's daughter, Sdenka, whose haunting melody fills the air. Soon, he meets Piotr, Gorcha's youngest son, who reluctantly agrees to guide him to their home.

Upon reaching the Gorcha residence, Jacques Antoine is introduced to the family: Jegor, his wife Anja, and their son Vlad. There is an unsettling atmosphere as the family reveals that Gorcha has vanished while seeking revenge against Turkish marauders, and worry grips them as he may become a vourdalak if he does not return in six days.

As Jacques Antoine spends time with the Gorcha family, he uncovers a tangled web of secrets. He learns of Sdenka's secret love for a traveling man, which is frowned upon by the community, intertwined with their struggles as they face the threat of a vourdalak.

As the night deepens, Jacques Antoine is haunted by nightmarish visions of Gorcha, exacerbating the family's anxiety about his potential return. This foreshadows the dreadful events to come as the specter of Gorcha shadows them.

The family's situation worsens when Vlad's health deteriorates. With time running out, Sdenka and Piotr, with Jacques Antoine's help, prepare for a desperate ritual, hoping to save Vlad from the clutches of the vourdalaks that threaten to consume them.

One chilling night, Jacques Antoine awakens to see Vlad wandering outside, accompanied by the ghastly figure of Gorcha. He attempts to confront Gorcha, only to be thrown aside while witnessing a horrifying feast as Vlad's blood is consumed.

Morning reveals the family's somber reality as they mourn Vlad's death, characterized by a haunting funeral ritual. The weight of grief envelopes the Gorcha family, with each member struggling to cope with their tragic loss.

Amidst increasing tensions, Piotr urges Jegor to strike a final blow against Gorcha. However, their confrontation is interrupted as Gorcha reproachfully gazes at the family, leaving them paralyzed by fear and uncertainty about his true intentions.

As Gorcha's sinister influence deepens, family loyalties fray, plunging Jacques Antoine into further anxiety. The situation escalates when he finds himself confined in the cellar and hears a desperate call from Vlad, summoning Anja—a moment that ignites fatal consequences.

Sdenka reaches a breaking point and stands defiantly at the edge of a cliff, contemplating her fate. Jacques Antoine hurries to reach her, realizing both their lives hang in the balance as they face the consequences of Gorcha's actions.

As Jacques Antoine embarks on a frantic search for Sdenka, he receives a horse that signifies his desperate mission. His journey brings him back to the manor, where he is ultimately lured by Sdenka's enchanting voice, only to discover Gorcha's malevolent intentions.

In an explosive climax, Jacques Antoine confronts Gorcha and fiercely strikes him. As chaos ensues and the manor bursts into flames, Jacques Antoine manages to escape, leaving the Gorcha family trapped in a grim fate.

In the early dawn, Jacques Antoine finds Sdenka at the precipice, urging her to choose her path. He sacrifices his horse and offers her hope for a new life, leading her to mount the steed and embark on a journey towards safety.

As Sdenka rides away, she is welcomed by a gracious French duchess, symbolizing a possibility of solace and safety amidst the horrors she endured. Jacques Antoine's final leap into the unknown marks both an end and a new chapter for her.