Nosferatu is Robert Eggers’ passion project. After falling in love with the 1922 film on VHS as a child, he went on to direct a high school play version of the story. This was a formative experience to his decision to become a filmmaker.
From the very beginning of his career, Eggers wanted to do a Nosferatu film. This project has been stuck in various stages of development for several years. At one point, Anya Taylor-Joy was attached to play Ellen, the female lead of the story.
Having watched an early screening of the film, I can confidently say that Eggers’ passion for the material is evident in every artfully composed frame.
Disclaimer: Plot spoilers for Dracula (1897) and Nosferatu (1922) which may in turn spoil certain plot details of Nosferatu (2024).
The Origins of Nosferatu
Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
Bram Stoker’s Dracula was first published in 1897. The black-and-white German silent film Nosferatu was released in 1922. The film was made without obtaining the rights to do so. Thus, Stoker’s heirs sued. All copies of the film were ordered to be destroyed but nonetheless it survived.
In revisiting the original book and the silent film, one of the most stark differences is how much more horrific the titular vampire is. Nowadays, vampires are largely romanticised, including but not limited to Dracula. Many viewers consider him hot and downright seductive. The more superficial differences between Dracula (1897) and Nosferatu (1922) are largely cosmetic. While Dracula largely takes place in England, the 1922 film is in Germany. Character names were also changed: Count Dracula is Count Orlok, and Jonathan and Mina Harker are Thomas and Ellen Sutter.
Bram Stoker’s original monster has a varied array of supernatural powers. Whether he’s shapeshifting into animals, generating fog, or freely walking around during the daytime, it’s incredible that the main group of human characters defeats him. Dracula had limited access to his full range of powers during the day, but he wasn’t obligated to hide in his coffin. The 1922 film shifted the lore.
The German adaptation changed one of the most quintessential superpower rules. In short, sunlight kills him. Moreover, the most significant narrative change is the ending. Dracula is defeated by a team of humans lead by Van Helsing. They track him down while he is attempting to flee from England back to his homeland. In the adaptation, Ellen learns he can be defeated if a pure-hearted woman lures him in with her beauty and blood. Consequently, he forgets his most basic survival instincts and dies when the sun rises. Not long thereafter, she dies from her wounds and blood loss.
The Horror of Nosferatu
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu makes the vampire monstrous again. His appearance is festering and ominous. Not only that, he is nothing more than an insatiable appetite. Eggers is no stranger to horrific storytelling. The Northman was unflinching in presenting Viking brutality. Eggers’ latest art turns shadows into vehicles for horror.
The original film had some memorable shadow work. However, Eggers escalates the threat. Bill Skarsgård’s Count Orlok is unflinchingly terrifying. While leading Jonathan up a spiralling staircase, Orlok slips in and out of the shadows. From this moment onward, the shadows and darkness itself appear as the personification of Orlok’s power. Darkness isn’t merely the absence of light. Instead, it feels like a tangible threat. A looming shadow of Orlok’s clawed hand glides over the German town he is about to terrorise.
After 100 years of technological advancements for the filmmaking process, Eggers masterfully employs every tool and technique necessary to strike fear in the heart of the audience. Skarsgård’s considerable voice training and precise physicality create a terrifying new monster.
The Artistry of Nosferatu
Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
Although Count Orlok is wholly monstrous, this film is visually exquisite. Eggers included numerous visual references to the source material. There are stylish crosses implanted on the beach. Orlok’s shadow rises on Thomas while he is a terrified hostage about to fed on, while trapped in Orlok’s castle.
From start to finish, every shot is perfectly composed. No detail has been forgotten. Every bit of visual world building delivers. The production design, locations, and costumes make the world feel tangible and immersive. Eggers instills his vision with an artistic flair that shatters any and all negative misconceptions about the horror genre. It is equally beautiful as it is horrific.
Final Thoughts
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
If there is one oddity in Nosferatu, it’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson being relegated to a secondary lead. Although Nicholas Hoult gives a commendable performance as Thomas Sutter, Taylor-Johnson commands attention even when placed in a smaller role. When Friedrich Harding’s entire family is murdered, Taylor-Johnson’s emotional devastation is performed with such intensity that it upstages every other human character in the ensemble.
If Eggers doesn’t add Taylor-Johnson to his roster of recurring performers alongside the like of Anya Taylor Joy and Willem Dafoe, it will be a sorely missed opportunity.
Nonetheless, there is no denying that Eggers has delivered his passion project to the highest standard. Run, don’t walk to see Nosferatu this holiday season!
Watch my full Nosferatu review here:
Browse more of my reviews in print and video form. Support my work further on Patreon!