In the television adaptation of Castlevania: Nocturne, the antagonist, Erzsebeth Báthory, who is purportedly based on the Hungarian folklore figure from the 16th century of the same name, is imbued with vampiric attributes. However, in this rendition, Erzsebeth is depicted as an actual vampire rather than merely possessing vampiric tendencies.
Across the eight episodes that comprise the series, viewers are gradually provided with insights into the antagonist’s Egyptian background. After ingesting Sekhmet's essence, Erszebet initiates a transformative process that is characterized by a significant amplification in narcissistic tendencies, and which leads her to develope a pervasive sense that she possesses divine attributes. Over time, and the episodes, she increasingly identifies herself as Sekhmet, attributing her lineage to Amun-Ra, whom she reveres as her progenitor, thereby fostering an intense desire for the adulation and veneration traditionally directed towards the solar deity by mortals. Given her desire for adulation, she wants to eradicate her father while asserting dominance over the mortals. As we see in the last two episodes, this insatiable desire and god complex materializes in the manifestation of a perpetual solar eclipse, which envisages a realm shrouded in everlasting darkness, a motif reminiscent of the domain of the Egyptian deity Apep, who personifies primordial darkness. During episode 8, Erzsebeth metamorphosizes, assuming a leonine form reminiscent of Sekhmet, and she is dressed in opulent and suggestive attire with Egyptian lines that is adorned with emblematic attributes, such as a crimson mane, a solar disc, and a prominent cobra.
Castelvania: Nocturne shows a very interesting and refreshing integration of two realms, ancient Egypt and the vampire world.

Author: Catarina Madeira