Nosferatu Is For Weird Girls…And Everybody Else
“Succumb to the darkness” is the tagline of Robert Eggers' new vampire classic: “Nosferatu,” which was released this past Christmas. Based upon the 1922 movie of the same name, and the classic story of Dracula by Bram Stoker, the film stars Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgard as the titular vampire. This is not only a film for long-time vampire fans, but for anyone craving an enthralling watch.
Opening on Depp's character, Ellen Hutter, in a beautiful white nightgown making a deal with a faceless devil, the viewer is immediately immersed in the gothic world that Eggers has created.
Even from this opening sequence, it is clear that this is not a movie of cheap horror, but one of intentional plot and character building, leading to something more thought-provoking and disturbing than the usual horror barrage of jump scares and over-the-top monsters. An apt word to describe the film would not be "scary," but rather "chilling."
The film's score, the beautiful costuming and the breathtaking cinematography make for a setting worth yearning for—a prominent theme in the film—even with all the horrific events being depicted. Huge estates shrouded in darkness, a plagued city dressed in shadow and a ship on untamable waters are all somehow both repulsive and inviting.
Not only is the ambiance of the film captivating, the film is a masterclass in acting. Depp embodies a troubled gothic woman, and is characterized by her long, intensely-dark hair and stark middle part. In the film, she is often wandering about like a ghost or pleading for her friends to believe the story of her ongoing torment by some unseen monster: the Count Orlok.
Orlok himself—played by Skarsgard, completely transformed in the film—is not only terrifying but is disturbingly believable as the ancient and devilish vampire. If you are not sparing the time to see the film, here is a clip of Skarsgard's Nosferatu voice to change your mind. Or, keep it a delicious secret before you head to the theater. The voice of Count Orlok is completely Skarsgard's own voice, no CGI, just voice training.
Other incredible performances include those of Willem Dafoe, who previously acted in another film by Eggers, “The Lighthouse.” Not only does Dafoe's character add a certain levity to a dark film, but a belief in the unbelievable—essential to any story of the supernatural. More notables include Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, and Simon McBurney—possibly as terrifying as Nosferatu himself.
“Nosferatu” is playing now in theaters.