“Succumb to the darkness.
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.” – Letterboxd Synopsis
Nosferatu was probably my most anticipated film from last year. It’s a shame I couldn’t catch it in theatre because this movie is an experience. I’m literally split down the middle on Robert Eggers movies. I think The Witch and The Lighthouse are both okay, but I absolutely love The Northman and now Nosferatu. The one thing this man can do probably above anyone else in Hollywood right now is frame a scene. This movie’s visuals alone make it a masterpiece in my mind and when you add on a very intense and creepy story. This is something special that will stick with me for a long time.
I love the story in this movie. Just like all of his movies, it’s long and kind of on the slow burn side, but it builds tension and its world so brilliantly. There’s always this looming thought of what exactly Nosferatu is. He is presented as more than just a vampire at times. He is seen as/referred to as the devil, a demon, the plague, and probably my favorite, the appetite. He’s just so sinister in his presentation. Cursing and manipulating people to get who/what he wants. It’s pure evil what he does and the mystery of why and what is happening to Ellen is very sickening. He is such a malevolent being, moving through the shadows in some scenes, cursing people’s dreams, it always feels like his presence is around even when he isn’t. It was interesting following the characters as they learn and unravel not necessarily what exactly he is, but the things he has done in the past and how to possibly rid themselves of him. All while his influence and presence is just sinisterly looming around them. This movie really builds that tension and never lets it slip during its entire runtime and Bill Skarsgard is amazing as Nosferatu.
I don’t know how he does it, but Eggers is one of those filmmakers that brings the best out of his actors. Every character was brought to life so masterfully, and for me I’ve seen all of these actors in other movies (some in other movies of his) and I know they could act their ass off so I’m not too shocked over anybody’s performance besides Lilly Rose Depp as Ellen. Forgive me, but the last and only thing I’ve ever seen her in was The Idol. A complete mess of show where I didn’t like her character or acting in it. So it was a shock to me to see her in this role putting on an award worthy performance. There are some scenes where she is just whiplash switching between emotions and really different versions of her character. She plays the distressed Ellen so phenomenally. With the things that are happening to this character, she really makes you feel how lonely, sad, and violated Ellen is in mind, body and soul. And when the switch is flipped, and the movie starts giving shades of Exorcist, just bravo. I would love to see her in more horror movies going forward.
A super cut of this movie’s shots and transitions would be a 10/10 on its own. This is how you shoot a movie, this is how you use colors and framing. This is how you capture a gothic vibe. The nighttime in this movie is so gorgeous. In the forest and castle its darkness illuminated by the night sky or by the fireplace of the castle. In the city, its darkness mixed with shades of blue that enhance this menacing and almost hopeless feeling that something sinister is watching over everyone. The use of shadows and silhouettes is absolutely amazing. I could rave about particular scenes all day. From a visual standpoint, this is one of my favorite movies ever.
So yeah, Nosferatu is easily my favorite movie from Eggers. I think this has the best elements of everything that he has done so far, and I can’t wait to see what he does next. He took a property that my entire generation only knows from a funny SpongeBob gag and has turned it into a brilliant, sinister, beautiful work of film that has amazing performances across the board that pays its dues to the original. I love the idea of making Nosferatu more than just a vampire. He is an evil hunger that will destroy everything to sate himself and leave death and despair in his wake. It’s refreshing to see when vampire media for the past few decades has been what it is. It’s hard right now in the moment to really say where it lands on my all time list, but it’s definitely around top 10. Egger’s is a generational filmmaker and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
Nosferatu (2024): 10/10
