Writer/Director: Robert Eggers
Starring: Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Nicholas Hoult
When it comes to the greatest movies ever made about vampires, it’s worth discussing Nosferatu. Following its release in 1922, F.W. Murnau’s movie has become a world-famous classic. The film gained huge following for its big depiction of vampire creatures which are frightening. As sharp as teeth of a vampire, it has never lost ability to inspire as a film that audiences admire. Shining a blinding light in darkness, the film gained praise for depicting the barriers that vampires fight: Through its meaningful depictions of vampires with warm bodies, the film proved stories of demons are definitely without any doubts worth telling in movies. Unlike most movies made during the 1920’s which always tend to be outdated, the movie has aged incredibly today. Nearly 90 years after its release, the film has become a groundbreaking classic that has gained huge following. Nosferatu has become a renowned vampire in cinematic history which audiences value. Given his massive impact, the character has been depicted many times in movies over the years.
Now, Robert Eggers reimagines the classic vampire which audiences value in his movie “Nosferatu”. Released in 2024, Eggers’ film offered a unique feminist interpretation of a legendary vampire. With the most terrifying movie of his career, Eggers used innovative cinematic techniques to capture frightening vampires evoking despair. Packed with bold production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies of 2024. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Lily Rose-Depp, who portrays a woman that falls in love with a vampire that causes catastrophe. Although “Nosferatu” is a captivating horror classic, it isn’t flawless. It’s poorly paced, and suffers from an extended running-time testing viewers’ patience. That being said, it offers exhilarating entertainment fans of the original vampire classic won’t be able to resist.
Set in 19th Century Germany, “Nosferatu” tells the story of a woman which falls in love with a vampire causing tragedy. Lily-Rose Depp plays Ellen Hunter, a sexually liberated woman which seeks freedom in a conservative era. Ellen is haunted by memories of a monstrous vampire that dominates her dreams. Seeking to escape her traumatic nightmares, Ellen finds solace in her marriage with her caring husband Thomas (Nicholas Hoult). However, Ellen’s life changes when she discovers the monstrous vampire in her nightmares is real. Known as Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard), the vampire puts Ellen’s life in grave danger. Faced with a serious dilemma, Ellen questions whether she will ever find love in the restrictive Victorian era. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Ellen wonders whether she can ever recover from the curse of a scary vampire. Under the magical spell of a dangerous vampire, Ellen questions whether she can ever overcome the obstacles in her life that are dire.
Robert Eggers is fascinated with the horror film genre. An iconic filmmaker, Eggers has often excelled at making horror movies about lives of women in danger. His directorial debut “The Witch” captured the lives of farming families haunted by a witch that’s frightening. With “Nosferatu”, however, the filmmaker directed his first ever vampire movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of vampires facing dangers, but he succeeded tremendously. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as breathtaking as Nosferatu’s eyes. Eggers has always thrived at using low-key lighting in his movies to evoke the emotions of terror, and “Nosferatu” demonstrated his strengths as a filmmaker. Eggers successfully uses low-key lighting capturing lives of vampires which are frightening. For instance, the low-key lighting elevates the meeting scene. During this scary scene, Thomas has his first ever meeting with Count Orlak causing terror. Through the low-key lighting, Eggers crafts a vampire which is truly terrifying. Low-key lighting is a complex technique that isn’t easy to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” suggested, low-key lighting enhances murder mysteries. However, it works well in this movie. Through bold visuals, Eggers crafts a vampire which is frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “Nosferatu” that merits appreciation is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Eggers has always has a flair for designing the production in his movies, and “Nosferatu” exhibited his strengths. Eggers successfully uses diegetic sounds to capture vampires evoking terror. Throughout the film, Eggers uses bold diegetic sounds to capture vampires whose lives decline. Whether it’s the sounds of heavy breathing or scary screams, Eggers uses diegetic sounds to capture the personality of a vampire. For instance, the diegetic sounds elevate the signature scene. During this unforgettable scene, Count Orlak forces Thomas to sign his name on a paper signing an agreement using his frightening voice. One appreciates diegetic sounds that capture lives of vampires that are frightening. Diegetic sounds are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” demonstrated, diegetic sounds elevate commemorated World War II movies. Nevertheless, it excels in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Robin Carolan’s music is key to the movie’s success. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that women possessed by vampires bear. Through stunning production-design, Eggers captures commemorated vampire that shine.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Nosferatu” is a captivating horror film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses foreshadowing showcasing the dangers that vampires are enduring. Eggers’ screenwriting strength is his ability to capture the lives of vampires causing danger through foreshadowing. Throughout the movie, Eggers uses foreshadowing to capture the dangers of a vampire impacting women. For instance, the foreshadowing enhances the nightmare scene. During this frightening scene, Ellen has a scary dream of Nosferatu that foreshadows her grim death. Through clever foreshadowing, Eggers creates a strong feminist character audiences can easily relate to. Foreshadowing is a tricky technique to use in films. As Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” demonstrated, foreshadowing elevates commemorated horror movies about isolation. Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” did suggest foreshadowing elevates commemorated prison films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Eggers captures vampires that commit murders with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Lily Rose-Depp delivers one of her best career performances as Ellen. Rose-Depp achieved appreciation for playing women in legendary period pieces. With “Nosferatu”, however, she took on her most challenging role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman that’s haunted by a scary vampire but she succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most memorable role. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, obsession and trauma of a woman which is haunted by a vampire causing catastrophe. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated movie-stars working today.
Bill Skarsgard is spectacular as a vampire that puts the lives of women in grave danger which is dire. Skarsgard first achieved appreciations for playing iconic clownish villains in renowned horror movies. With “Nosferatu”, however, the actor took on his most frightening role. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his strength for playing threatening villains that evoke terror. Whether he’s issuing orders to his guardsmen or haunting the memory of a young woman, Skarsgard uses his powerful voice to create a villain vampire that’s compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the best actors working today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is amazing, capturing the determination of a detective embarking on a dangerous mission to apprehend vampires causing destruction. Willem Dafoe is phenomenal, capturing the sorrow of a medical doctor that struggles to heal bodies of women impacted by vampires. Lastly, Emma Corrin is excellent. As a woman possessed by vampires, she brings authority to the movie.
Although “Nosferatu” is a captivating horror classic, it isn’t a flawless movie. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging pace. Eggers’ deductions to integrate subplots about mental institutions in the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes which capture the experiences of individuals in a mental institution aren’t as engaging as Ellen’s desire to find her identity. As Milos Forman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” demonstrated, subplots about mental institutions enhance classic movies about mental health. Therefore, “Nosferatu” falls short of the expectations of the best vampire movies that audiences often adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Nicholas Hoult would definitely enjoy “Nosferatu” and so will film-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating horror classic, it honours a groundbreaking film which has become iconic.
Nearly 90 years following the release of a groundbreaking horror film about frightening vampires stalking innocent women in ways which are unsettling, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a classic film that has built a lasting legacy earning a commemorated following for its depictions of vampires that are compelling whose complicated lives thirsting for blood that haven’t lost their bite are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 