Over one hundred years ago, German expressionist filmmaker, F.W. Murnau set out to make a bootleg version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. On March 4th 1922, his vision was realized in the form of Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, and despite various legal troubles, it ended up as one of the most iconic silent films ever made. Over a century later, director, Robert Eggers brought the classic tale back to the big screen in the form of a modern, big-budget remake that would become the most highly anticipated film of 2024.
Over the past decade, American filmmaker, Robert Eggers has cemented his reputation as one of the best working directors in Hollywood. His past projects: The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman have all been met with rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. His unique blend of horror, gloom, and folklore captivated fans across the globe. So when audiences found out that he would soon be recreating one of the most iconic horror movies of all time, they eagerly awaited its theatrical debut, which came on Christmas Day of 2024.
Despite the long wait, Robert Egger's Nosferatu has been met with rapturous applause from critics and audience members alike. The film is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and is still steadily selling tickets nearly a month after its release, and for good reason. Nosferatu isn't your average horror movie with jump-scares and copious amounts of blood, it's a slow-paced, gothic masterpiece that could not have possibly been made by anyone else than Robert Eggers. It's rare to see an auteur film like this be so successful at the box office. In Boston, it was incredibly difficult to get decent seats to a screening because the theaters were so full! And for good reason because Nosferatu is a film that was made to be seen in a big, dark room with surround sound speakers.
To the average person, the phrase "vampire movie" conjures up images of sensitive, sparkling teenagers with some of the cheesiest, contrived plot lines imaginable. But this isn't your teenage sister's vampire movie. Nosferatu explores some of the most grotesque, unsettling, spine-chilling aspects about these gothic creatures that will make you see the genre in a whole new light.
Every aspect of Robert Egger's Nosferatu feels intensely deliberate and calculated. The film does an incredible job at making the audience feel immersed in Wisberg, Germany, 1938. From the lighting, to the set design, everything has a strong feeling of coldness. Even the scenes lit by warm candlelight serve as a bleak reminder of the winter frost outside. This cold is accompanied by the ubiquitous feeling of looming death. No matter the scene, one thing is clear, no one is safe.
The production design truly is something to behold, everything from the gloomy beach to the gothic castle are all so beautifully curated. They pair well with the consistent lighting consisting of very hard, bright, white lights. One of the hardest things to convey on camera is darkness and by using light effectively, Robert Eggers was able to create a something truly impressive.
The film's soundtrack by Robert Carolan is downright hauntingly beautiful, becoming more and more noticeable as the film progresses. The score's vinyl pressing completely sold out on Waxwork Records before the film was even released. Needless to say, those who bought the record ahead of time will not be disappointed.
You simply can't discuss Nosferatu without bringing up the performances, and among this cast, there is not a single weak link. Willem Dafoe, Nicholas Hoult, Simon McBurney all give some of the strongest performances of their careers, but the real jewels of this film are Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter and Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok. Lily-Rose Depp has been in quite a few movies over her career, but none of them have been...good. This was Depp's first good movie and she delivered like no other. She's already proving to have the same acting chops as her father and I was absolutely floored when she didn't receive an Oscar nomination this week for her performance. Similarly, with the help of an incredible special FX team, Bill Skarsgård was able to completely transform into the titular vampire, Count Orlok. He is simply unrecognizable with his deep, booming line delivery and all the prosthetics to make him look like a rotting corpse. There's no doubting that Skarsgård's performance is Nosferatu's pièce de résistance.
Adapting a silent film that's over a century old is an incredibly daunting task for any director, not just in the physical making of the film, but selling tickets and keeping audiences interested. In that regard, Robert Eggers and company were able to do the impossible and create something that simply must be seen to be believed.
Not only has Nosferatu cemented its performers and director as true masters of their craft, but also proves that we might be in for a new golden age of horror in the next few years. Whatever you do, don't miss Nosferatu!
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