Universal Pictures’ Nosferatu was directed and written by Robert Eggers, known for films such as The Witch (2015) and The Northman (2022), so Nosferatu seems to fit well within his expertise. Taking from the 1922 film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, which takes from Bram Stroker’s novel Dracula, Eggers’ film remake does not disappoint. It is the perfect example of how to take what has been done and properly honor the original narrative. Although there are some tweaks in the storyline, upon watching, it fits extremely well in the overall tale and theme of the film itself.
Acting Out Nosferatu
Nosferatu (2024) is not a silent movie and is just as chilling as the original, if not more. Hutter, in this case, Thomas Hutter, is played by actor and producer Nicholas Hoult, whose performance was very impressive, which took me by surprise. The film takes place in Germany during the 1800s. From Thomas’ interaction with his wife Ellen, played by Lily-Rose Depp, the daughter of Johnny Depp, to his encounter with the dark and ominous Count Orlock, the cast and crew deliver a tale that keeps you both nervous in your seat and questioning what is to happen next.
From the moment you see and hear Count Orlock, played by Bill Skarsgård, you will immediately be set at unease. The actor’s work in his breathing alone is enough to set your nerves at unrest. This is of no surprise since his previous portrayal as Pennywise in the Stephen King remake of It (2017 and its sequel in 2019) was just as powerful. However, it is in Nosferatu where I believe Bill was able to expand his horizon with a much darker and less colorful character.
Artistic Mastery
One thing that makes this movie work, besides the acting, is the use of cinematography and color schemes. This movie transitions from diverse kinds of monochromatic color uses, balancing between cool and warm scenery as the story dictates itself. Due to this, the number one asset of this film is the lighting techniques used to form a silhouette of Count Orlock’s appearances throughout the film. At first, we are barely able to make out his form, and we only have his voice and glimpses of his hands to go off of in the first half of the film. As we get closer to the end, more of Count Orlock’s appearance is shown, and it is a fantastic use of both the camera and lighting with their set design, where the sound design meshes very well without any distracting elements from the overall feel of the scenes. These techniques used to portray Count Orlock are similar in use to the 2013 film Mama, which plays on our imagination of what the villain could look like instead of showing us his appearance right away, which ruins the element of surprise. Unknown to the audience at first, Count Orlock’s monstrous appearance was shown briefly in the first scene of the film, which was Ellen’s dream sequence. However, it was done in a way that would have made it unclear if this was what we were to expect moving forward.
Despite its cinematic excellence, I would have liked to have seen fewer cuts in the editing during the most chilling scenes, which could have created more tension in certain areas. An example of this done to perfection would be the 2012 remake of the movie The Woman in Black, where we follow the lead actor, Daniel Radcliffe, down an old and dark home, knowing that there is a ghost amongst us that could appear at any time.
The Remake vs The Original
The film opens up with a dream sequence of Ellen, who awakens from fright as her new husband, Thomas, is preparing for his first day at his job. He arrives, and his employer tells him of a Count who wishes to buy a home in their town to retire in. Thomas must go to where he lives in his castle to secure the account for his job, which takes a six-week journey. Proving to be a high payday for both Thomas and the firm, Thomas leaves Ellen in the care of a friend and his family while journeying on horseback to Count Orlock’s castle, which bodes several challenges. In this, the film follows the narrative of the original perfectly, and the additions to the tale do not take away from the story itself.
Nosferatu’s Final Curtain Call
The surprising thing about the story is the motivation of love from all the characters in the story. For example, Thomas is motivated by the love of his wife, which is why he goes on a business trip for the money, but it ends up not going as planned. Ellen is motivated by the love of her husband, which is why she does not want him to go on the trip due to her dreams and premonitions. Thomas’ friend is motivated by love in how he wants to make sure his pregnant wife and two daughters are taken care of. Thomas’ employer is motivated by his love for his master, Count Orlock, for power. Count Orlock is motivated by his love for Ellen since their first encounter. This love, expressed through the lens of good and evil, is what makes this narrative work, which is identical to the storyline of the original film.
Be it in the theater, streaming, or home distribution, Nosferatu (2024) delivers a chilling tale of love and betrayal. It is worth its ticket price and is worth seeing. If you are into a movie that has the perfect balance of horror with a decent plot, which is not driven by gore and weak elements for scares, then this is the movie for you.
