Robert Eggers Nosferatu is a dark, unsettling triumph that reimagines the legendary 1922 silent film with an extraordinary blend of artistry, atmosphere, and terror that will breathe new life into the Gothic horror genre.
Thomas Hutter (Hoult) sells a house to the mysterious Count Orlok (Skarsgård) in Transylvania, and Orlok, smitten with Thomas's wife Ellen (Depp), follows them to their hometown, and the plot builds toward Ellen’s self-sacrifice, a poignant act that ultimately destroys Orlok but leaves devastation in its wake.
Robert Eggers does deepen the narrative though by placing Ellen at the center, exploring her loneliness, desperation, and the haunting connection she shares with Orlok, and this focus elevates its emotional weight, making her final act of defiance all the more tragic.
Eggers attention to detail is nothing short of brilliant, and if you are familiar with his others films, this will come as no surprise, as the film’s gothic aesthetic is meticulously crafted, from the fog drenched landscapes to the creepy and historical interiors of Orlok’s castle.
The period accurate dialogue and practical effects help add a lot of authenticity, while the use of shadows, natural lighting, and atmospheric sound design create a constant sense of unease, and Eggers knack for building tension without resorting to clichés is in full swing.
Bill Skarsgård delivers an outstanding performance as Count Orlok, and his physical transformation, thanks to phenomenal practical makeup, renders him nearly unrecognizable, where his commanding presence and ominous voice dominate every scene, creating an aura of dread that lingers even when he’s offscreen.
Unlike the 1922 version, Eggers shrouds him in shadow, emphasizing the fear of the unknown, and when he is is finally revealed in full, it’s a horrifying payoff that cements his place as one of the most terrifying vampires in cinematic history.
The supporting cast also shines as well.
Nicholas Hoult's Thomas is is both relatable and flawed, while Lily-Rose Depp’s Ellen exudes a mix of vulnerability and strength that grounds the film’s supernatural elements, and Dafoe and Ineson add depth and gravitas, rounding out a cast that feels perfectly suited to the story’s dark tone.
One of the film’s most striking achievements though is its ability to balance horror with deeper themes, as we witness Ellen’s struggles with her mental and physical health, and the dismissive attitudes of those around her, resonate as a commentary on the historical and ongoing neglect of women’s well-being.
Eggers Nosferatu is not a film that relies on cheap thrills or gore to deliver scares, but instead, it masterfully uses atmosphere, pacing, and visual storytelling to create that lingering sense of unease, and add in the haunting score and the carefully constructed sets and costumes, every aspect of the film contributes to a cohesive vision that is as unsettling as it is beautiful.
Even as a fan of Robert Eggers, his films still tend to know how to test my patience, but Nosferatu's 2 hour and 12 minute runtime just flew by for me and achieves what few horror films manage, it subtly terrifies while maintaining artistic integrity.
With that said, I also think it could have been shorter too without losing anything and while the pacing was overall fine for me, it did have a few issues, and some parts and dialogue could have easily been left out to help with this without the film suffering in any way.
But overall, if you go into watching Nosferatu knowing what to expect and the style of Gothic horror and Robert Eggers, you will find plenty to appreciate, but if you don't like slow burner tension and atmosphere and aren't overly familiar with Eggers or Gothic horror, you might be left disappointed.
It won't be for everyone.
But for me, Eggers has created a film that honors its source material while also managing to stand on its own two feet at the same time, where the fear and tension is subtle and oh so visual.[Nosferatu on IMDB] [All posters and trailers for Nosferatu 2024]
Read some more horror movie reviews: