After directing just a small handful of movies, filmmaker Robert Eggers has already become a household name. Particularly well-renowned for his horror movies that notoriously blend a slow burn approach with fear-inducing visuals, fans have been anticipating his rendition of the classic story of Nosferatu since its announcement. Boasting a star-studded cast including Lily-Rose Depp (The King), Nicholas Hoult (Renfield), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train) and Bill Skarsgard (It) in the titular role, Nosferatu tells a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. With excellent performances from a talented ensemble, effective frights and some of the best cinematography we’ve seen in horror for quite some time, Nosferatu is nothing short of a triumph.
Eggers’ prior works have showcased a proclivity for the dark and macabre, with a focus on haunting slow-burning stories that lead to a final act that has the ability to stay burnt into your brain days after viewing. Expectedly, he proves he is the perfect person to bring this story back to the big screen, as his adaptation of Nosferatu is one of the best we’ve seen. Eggers takes his time with the story, ensuring thorough development of his characters, a thought-provoking plot and a satisfyingly intricate narrative that weaves together so beautifully. It clocks in at over two hours, yet every moment of the run-time is meticulously utilized to guide the story forward, whether it be with spine-chilling scares or character development that helps us get to know our leads better. This may just be Eggers most accessible film to date, especially compared to his 2019 venture The Lighthouse, as it follows quite a straightforward through-line and leaves little to the imagination or assumption. However, in true Eggers fashion, Nosferatu oozes with delightful metaphors and complex themes that those who wish to delve into the movie a little deeper will have fun discovering. On the surface, Nosferatu teaches us of a menacing vampire and a woman expected to make the ultimate sacrifice, but underneath the blood and shadows is a tale of desire, lust and the inner demons we turn away from.
Always managing to get a decent cast behind him, Robert Eggers may have outdone himself with Nosferatu. Our leading lady Ellen Hutter is played by Lily-Rose Depp, who may not manage to be entirely convincing during her smaller moments, but shocks and surprises the further the run-time progresses, especially when a lot of physicality is needed. Plagued by nightmares and visions of the menacing Count Orlok that throw Ellen into a sea of isolation, frustration and possessed-like fits, Depp meets the demands of the role well. She may not quite reach Adjani-in-Possession levels, but she certainly comes close. Of course, much of the anticipation built has been regarding the iconic Bill Skarsgard as our titular villain Nosferatu, especially with the marketing carefully and cleverly not letting much on in terms of his appearance. Expectedly, Skarsgard is utterly astounding, proving once again that he may just be the most transformative actor working today. He is totally unrecognizable, from the grizzly well-designed visuals to the booming voice that bounces around the cinema. It certainly has the capacity to become as memorable as Klaus Kinski’s 1979 version of the character, and even perhaps Max Shreck’s 1922 original. It does something a little different whilst paying homage nicely to what’s come before; Skarsgard is a marvel. Equally impressive and perhaps even more so is the wonderful Nicholas Hoult, who has turned in many a great performance just this year alone. Starring as Thomas Hutter, husband of Ellen, who must make the terrifying journey to Count Orlok’s lair, Hoult is a true embodying of fright and fear. Delivering on an emotional level as well as one of pure horror, much of the fear factor rides on Hoult’s shoulders, and he increases it tenfold. Notable performances are also delivered by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin (Deadpool & Wolverine), and Eggers regulars Willem Dafoe (Poor Things) and Ralph Ineson (The VVitch).
Nosferatu is also worth marveling at on a technical level, most notably, the cinematography. Every single shot is utterly beautiful and meticulously composed, delivering at least one frame that’ll take your breath away during each scene. The use of shadows is fantastic, paying homage to plenty of iconic shots from prior adaptations, and the length of time these sequences linger for only adds to the nightmarish tension. Many of the sets on offer are practical, which helps Nosferatu look as stunning as possible, particularly when focussing on its jaw-dropping castles and mansions. From falling snow on horse-drawn carts to Count Orlok appearing behind a curtain swaying in the breeze, every shot is a painting. The color palette is very muted, offering up plenty of blacks, grays and whites, which matches the tone of the story beautifully whilst aiding that 1800’s setting in an authentic way. The costuming and make-up only supports this, creating a solid period piece that effortlessly feels of its time. Tying everything together into an eerie, uncomfortable bow is the original score from Robin Carolan that looms in the background and is always prominent when it needs to be. Beautiful use of atmospherics and old-style instrumentation ensure that Carolan’s score is in keeping with the tone of the story. Every aspect comes together so perfectly.
Nosferatu is first and foremost a horror film, despite it’s slow-burning, dialogue-driven approach. Fans of the genre will be pleased to know that it offers up plenty in the way of frights, and is not for the faint of heart. There is frequent use of jump scares, but Eggers ensures to stay away from the cheap, lazy type that many modern horrors tend to provide lashings of. All jump scares are effective due to placement and timing within the story and are bound to get your pulse racing when viewed in a cinema setting. Much of the horror comes from Count Orlok himself, who is truly frightening to behold when shown in all his glory. Used sparingly to ensure he is menacing throughout the entire run-time, Orlok is particularly creepy to experience. There is also a surprising amount of gore, from some intriguing bouts of body horror that are strategically placed throughout. One scene in particular may even have the most seasoned gore-hounds hiding behind their hands. Despite all the above, the best and most frequent use of horror is within the overall atmosphere and tone. Often feeling like a fever dream, a nightmare impossible to escape from, Nosferatu is drenched in dread and keeps you in a sharp chokehold from beginning to end. Not one moment of the run-time leaves you space to breathe – it’s utterly intoxicating.
Nosferatu is not only a fantastic adaptation of this story, but a worthy addition into Robert Eggers filmography that lives up to the talent of his prior works. He finds a really good balance between accessible vampire flick and metaphorical period drama, that’ll ensure Nosferatu will appeal to and impress those familiar and unfamiliar with his work. The terrifying visuals and excellent performances are what’ll initially interest you, but it’s the never-ending dread, award-worthy cinematography and meticulous storytelling that’ll stick with you long after viewing.
