Blade: Trinity (2004) is an American superhero film directed by David S. Goyer, who also wrote the screenplay.
This film is the third installment in the Blade trilogy, following Blade (1998) and Blade II (2002). Wesley Snipes reprises his role as the titular character, Blade, a half-vampire, half-human vampire hunter. The film also stars Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Biel, Kris Kristofferson, Dominic Purcell, Parker Posey, and Triple H, marking the latter's acting debut.
In Blade: Trinity, the war between humans and vampires escalates as Blade is framed for a series of murders by the vampire leader Danica Talos (Posey). To combat this new threat, Blade reluctantly teams up with a group of vampire hunters known as the Nightstalkers, led by Whistler's daughter, Abigail (Biel), and the wisecracking Hannibal King (Reynolds). Together, they face a resurrected Dracula, now known as Drake (Purcell), who possesses unique powers that challenge Blade's abilities.
Released on December 8, 2004, Blade: Trinity had a production budget of approximately $65 million and grossed around $132 million worldwide. Despite its financial success, the film received mostly negative reviews from critics, who criticized its formulaic plot, direction, and character development. It is often regarded as the weakest entry in the Blade series. Critics pointed out that the film's attempts at humor, particularly through Reynolds' character, felt out of place and detracted from the darker tone established in the previous films.
The film features a mix of action and horror elements, with several notable fight scenes and special effects. However, many reviews highlighted that Snipes' performance felt less engaging compared to earlier films, partly due to reported on-set tensions and conflicts. There were claims that Snipes was unhappy with the film's direction and his reduced screen time in favor of the new characters introduced.
Overall, Blade: Trinity attempted to expand the Blade universe but ultimately fell short of its predecessors' acclaim. The film's legacy includes a television series, Blade: The Series, which aired in 2006, and a reboot in development by Marvel Studios, indicating the character's enduring popularity despite the mixed reception of this installment.