Underworld (2003) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The Lycans are interested in Michael Corvin because he is a descendant of the shared ancestor of both vampires and Lycans. This makes his blood genetically significant - he carries the ancient bloodline that connects both species, which is why both factions want to control or eliminate him.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, the Lycans are shown using ultraviolet ammunition, suggesting they have evolved significantly and have specific goals beyond simple warfare.

• michael corvin
• lycans
• bloodline
• genetics
• ancestor

Selene awakens Viktor because she suspects Kraven is colluding with the Lycans and needs a powerful ally within the vampire coven. She hopes that by sharing her memories through her blood, Viktor will trust her and help her stop Kraven's betrayal.

Foreshadowing: Kraven dismisses Selene's warnings about the Lycan den despite clear evidence, and later his connection to Lucian is revealed.

• viktor
• elder
• awaken
• selene
• kraven
• betrayal

The Awakening is when the ancient vampire elders, who have been in hibernation for centuries, wake up from their sleep. In this film, Amelia is scheduled to awaken Marcus, another powerful elder. This event is so significant that Kraven uses it to dismiss Selene's concerns about the Lycan threat, prioritizing the Awakening over the immediate danger.

Foreshadowing: The coven's focus on the Awakening causes them to ignore Selene's warnings about the Lycans gathering strength.

• awakening
• elders
• marcus
• hibernation
• vampire coven

After Lucian's death 600 years ago, the Lycans were left leaderless and evolved significantly during this time. They developed the ability to transform into werewolves at will, no longer needing to wait for the full moon cycle. This evolution made them more dangerous and harder to predict.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows the Lycans gained control and new tactics after Lucian's demise.

• lycans
• transformation
• werewolf
• evolution
• moon

Kraven has been secretly colluding with Lucian, the Lycan leader he supposedly killed 600 years ago. Their alliance serves Kraven's ambition to rise in the vampire hierarchy, and it explains why he consistently dismisses Selene's warnings about the Lycan threat and prevents her from eliminating them.

Foreshadowing: Kraven's refusal to act on Selene's intelligence about the Lycan den seems unusually dismissive even before the Awakening is mentioned.

• kraven
• lucian
• betrayal
• collusion
• lycan alliance

When Lucian bites Michael during the subway confrontation, he infects him with the Lycan virus. This means Michael will eventually transform into a Lycan. Both vampires and Lycans realize this makes Michael even more valuable since his unique bloodline could potentially create a hybrid.

Foreshadowing: The Lycans' fixation on Michael before this event already hints at his special significance.

• michael
• lucian
• bite
• infection
• lycan transformation

Vampires use silver bullets to prevent Lycans from shifting into their wolf forms - the silver suppresses their transformation ability. The Lycans counter with ultraviolet ammunition specifically designed to kill vampires. This arms race reflects how both species have evolved new methods to fight each other.

Foreshadowing: Selene encounters UV ammunition during her first battle with the Lycans, showing they've evolved their weaponry.

• silver bullets
• uv ammunition
• vampire weapons
• lycan weapons

Selene learns that Viktor, the powerful elder she awakened, was the one who murdered her parents when she was a child. This devastating revelation complicates her trust in him and adds to the film's themes of betrayal and moral ambiguity.

Foreshadowing: Selene's intense vengeance against Lycans stems from her parents' murder, which is established early in the film.

• viktor
• selene parents
• killed
• murder
• revelation

Lucian's death by Kraven's hand 600 years ago was apparently a deception or he somehow survived. The film reveals that Kraven and Lucian have been working together secretly, so Lucian's death may have been staged to allow the Lycans to reorganize while appearing defeated.

Foreshadowing: Kraven's suspiciously easy victory over Lucian is mentioned as a turning point that gave vampires control.

• lucian
• kraven
• resurrection
• death
• betrayal

Marcus, one of the oldest vampire elders, awakens at the end of the film. His awakening signals a new era of conflict in the vampire realm. With Marcus awake and Selene and Michael now outcasts from both factions, the stage is set for larger battles to come in the ongoing war between vampires and Lycans.

Foreshadowing: The coven's preparations for Marcus's Awakening and Amelia's role in it are introduced early in the narrative.

• marcus
• awaken
• elder
• vampire
• new era conflict

Selene becomes an outcast because she defied the vampire coven by awakening Viktor without permission, directly challenged Kraven's authority, and ultimately allied with Michael - a human who is now infected with the Lycan virus. Both vampires and Lycans view them as threats since they've broken from their respective sides.

Foreshadowing: Selene consistently defies Kraven's orders throughout the film, and her relationship with Michael grows despite the coven's rules.

• selene
• michael
• outcast
• factions
• vampire
• lycan

The Lycans evolved over 600 years without a leader and developed advanced technology including ultraviolet ammunition specifically designed to kill vampires. This represents a significant escalation in the war, as UV light is traditionally lethal to vampires, making this ammunition particularly deadly.

Foreshadowing: Selene's first encounter with the Lycans reveals their new UV weapons, catching vampires off guard.

• ultraviolet
• ammunition
• lycans
• vampire
• weaponry