Nosferatu Movie Review

Robert Eggers brings the iconic vampire tale to a new generation by making it his own

A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. Robert Eggers continues to prove he is one of the best, exciting, and interesting filmmakers working today by infusing this iconic story that started as an adaption or rip off from Bram Stokers Dracula in the silent era with folk lore of the 1830s with his distinct style. Technically this film is off the charts Eggers collaborators he has worked with since the witch do some of the best work I have seen all year from the cinematography, production design, consumes, make up and prosthetics on Bill Skarsgard as count orlok, the score, and sound design are all astounding work that immerse you into the world of Eggers version of this iconic tale. The performances from the cast across the board are fantastic from the leads to the supporting people make a big impression to give this version of the story the emotional punch it needs when Orloks evil starts to seduce and corrupt people it has the impact you want it to.

Robert Eggers has outdone himself he does such a great job directing this film in what is the best he has done yet in my opinion from how he approached this remake making it Ellen Hutters story from the beginning to make it more complex psychotically and emotionally is just one of many ways he makes this version stand out. The attention to detail to be period accurate is remarkable from the dialect of how people talk is one of those details that eggers has put into all his films it makes you feel like you’re in that time with these characters when they talk. The composition of the shots is so exquisite they feel like a black and white painting come to life combined with the dynamic camera work makes you feel like a master filmmaker is behind the camera. Eggers does a great job with the pacing of the film it flies by, but he knows when to slow the film down to build atmosphere and dread that builds to the finale beautifully and the way he balances tone throughout is masterful going from romantic, to creepy unease, manic craziness, lusty sexy sex scenes, and tragedy.

The actors in the film are something else starting with Lily Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter if the Oscars were fair to horror she should be nominated the range she has to show in this film is insane going from doting wife, having what seems like psychotic episodes, being drawn in and seduced by Orlok, to the physicality of contorting her body that looks painful and make it feel grounded, real and not cartoony which is so hard to pull off but she does in spades. Bill Skarsgard as the title icon is unrecognizable if you did not know he was in the movie you would not know its him or even knowing he is still is the makeup work combined with his acting makes this version wholly his own that is terrifying and magnetic to watch where you can’t take your eyes off the screen his physicality of how he moves, his voice is unsettling as hell with this deep gravelly that is a little slower pitch just gets under your skin in the best way. William Defoe as the crazy vampire hunter Professor Albin Eberhart as usual is awesome, he’s the kind of person you don’t want to be right, but you must admit he is considering what is happening I love the scenes where people are doubting him, but he just doesn’t care he knows he is right. Nicholas Hoult as Ellens husband is so good has great chemistry with Depp going toe to toe in the descent into madness when the count is inflicting his influence on him you feel his fear his desire to protect his wife when he encounters the count along with his feeling of helplessness. Thank God for this movie for Aaron Taylor Johnson to come out right after Kraven to wash that stink off to show what a great actor, he is being unlikable but understandable when tragedy strikes his family with his wife played brilliantly by Emma Corrin who is great as Ellen’s longtime friend showing compassion when she needs it.

The score of the film is a character in the film when the count is exerting his influence it feels evil when it needs to, when Ellen and Thomas are happy at the beginning is beautifully gothic and romantic, with the way it can induce dread into you as the view to magnify what you are seeing onscreen. The cinematography of this film is stunning it makes you feel like you are watching a black and white film, but you aren’t but though how its shot, the lighting, along with the incredible production design makes you feel like you are watching a gothic painting. The editing and sound design are just as good immersing you into the world of the film like when the ship is coming into port and when Egger’s choses to cut is well done and the sounds Orlok makes your skin crawl.

The script is so well written in how it explores evil premating everything it touches; all the characters are fully realized on the page so this incredible cast can thrive in bring them to life. The tragic desire to want someone that wants you for their own selfish desires is Ponant and powerful. The dialogue is great it feels authentic to the period and the characters of the world Eggers has created for his version of this story. The story construction is ingenious because if you are familiar with this story at all you can see the bones but also how Eggers deviated from the other versions to make it his own and not a rehash.

Final thoughts are I loved this film so much and proves given auteur filmmakers’ space to do their thing they can create a remake that feels fresh that doesn’t feel like a cash grab like so many of the Disney life action films do you can get something special. Eggers has proved he is one of the best directors working today I can’t want to see what he does next when he has new film out, I’m there opening night I am going to give that film a 4 and half out of 5.