Released: 1st January 2024
Length: 132 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Director: Robert Eggers
Starring: Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson and Willem Dafoe
In 1922, Nosferatu created one of the first and most revered cinematic nightmares, pioneering many horror tropes that still exist today. Over a century after the silent era, a new rendition has arrived from Robert Eggers. Like all of his previous films, it’s a superb effort from top to bottom.
Set in Germany in the mid 1800s, Nosferatu begins with the young Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) journeying to Transylvania to sell a property to the elusive Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Drawn to the presence of Thomas’s wife Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), a horrific invasion of the town begins. The story of Dracula and his vampire brethren has been told many times on the big screen, updating to fit new cinematic technology. The modern release is very faithful to both the original novel and source material, but its biggest achievement is making Ellen a central part of the narrative. In previous renditions Mina Harker and similar characters have been the object of the vampire’s desire with less depth all around. Here, she’s the driving force behind the narrative, plagued by nightmares brought on by previous actions. With a mixture of abrupt scares and creeping dread, every viewer will be pulled in straight away. The sense of build-up is also strong; the first act is claustrophobic and unnerving with only Thomas and Orlok present. We’re also treated to another foreboding voyage as the antagonist travels by sea. Once the town falls under the Count’s spell, the ugly results sweep through, emphasising his immense power. It’s a blood-soaked encounter that leaves very few residents unscathed.
Lily-Rose Depp delivers a primal and emotional performance that really conveys her inner connection with Nosferatu. It often becomes very theatrical, especially in the more violent scenes of possession. Nicholas Hoult serves up the opening stage of fear before resolving to kill the vampire; Thomas is engulfed in tension and both lead actors really sell the turmoil of the situation. One scene puts more focus on the growing conflict between Thomas and Ellen, adding further believability to their relationship. Ralph Ineson does a fine job as Dr Sievers and Willem Dafoe remains brilliant on screen, taking on the role of the noble but shunned professor who hunts the vampire. He commands every scene as Albin Eberhart Von Franz, imparting his knowledge on both the audience and the other characters. We never see an imbalance between the characters throughout the narrative. Even the smaller roles like Aaron-Taylor Johnson’s Friedrich and his wife Anna (Emma Corrin) are equally effective in conveying the horror. Last but not least, there’s Nosferatu himself with Bill Skarsgård creating a more raspy, guttural persona. It feels much more sinister and animalistic than previous interpretations.
At every turn, cinematographer Jarin Blaschke has been a tour-de-force and Nosferatu is no exception. The grip of the titular vampire over Wisborg is atmospheric and all-consuming with a fantastic suite of presentation techniques. The grim tone and grey colour palette immediately establishes a haunting presence, one that only escalates as the film goes on. The lighting is utterly outstanding, further enhancing the creepier moments; the vampire himself is shrouded in shadow throughout, adding to his imposing figure. All of this is backed up by some precise camerawork that transitions seamlessly between point-of-view shots and wider views, revealing hidden rat plagues and other unsightly dangers. Much of the film was shot in Eastern Europe and the result is another authentic backdrop. The director has always put a ton of effort in representing older time periods. Returning from his work on The Northman, Robert Carolan has composed a fearsome soundtrack; it hammers home the scarier moments and rises to a powerful fever pitch at the film’s conclusion.
Nosferatu is by far the best modern vampire tale and a phenomanal film in its own right. The atmosphere, performances and scares are all excellent, further cementing Eggers and his team as the masters of modern horror. Whether you’re a fan of historical drama, classic chillers or immersive cinema, this is a phenomenal production that demands your attention.
Rating: 5/5 Stars (Exceptional)
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