“Van Helsing,” directed by Stephen Sommers, is an action-horror film featuring Hugh Jackman as the eponymous monster hunter, Gabriel Van Helsing. The film also stars Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, and David Wenham.

Set in the late 19th century, the story follows Van Helsing, a renowned monster hunter working for a clandestine Vatican organization. His mission is to track down and eliminate supernatural threats, including vampires, werewolves, and other monstrous entities that endanger humanity.

The plot unfolds as Van Helsing is dispatched to Transylvania to aid Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), a member of a family cursed to kill Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) to lift their ancestral curse. Together, they confront a host of iconic monsters, including Dracula, who plans to use Frankenstein’s monster to bring his offspring to life.

The film showcases intense, visually spectacular action sequences enhanced by CGI, with elaborate set pieces and a range of supernatural creatures. “Van Helsing” blends horror, fantasy, and adventure, paying homage to classic Universal Pictures monster movies. While it received mixed reviews from critics—who praised the visual effects and action scenes but found fault with the plot and characterization—the film has developed a following for its entertaining mix of action and supernatural elements.