Release Date: December 25, 2024
Director: Robert Eggers
Genre: Horror
MPAA Rating: R
Rating: B
Originally directed by F.W. Murnau in 1922, the long-awaited 2024 remake of “Nosferatu”, directed by Robert Eggers, breathes new life into the century-old silent classic. Eggers, known for his meticulously crafted films such as “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse“, brings his unique blend of atmospheric tension and historical authenticity to the film. The result is a chilling reinterpretation of one of cinema’s earliest vampire tales, which is as much a tribute to the original.
Set in the 19th century, the film follows the eerie journey of Thomas Hutter, played by Nicholas Hoult, a young real estate agent sent to the remote Carpathian Mountains to secure a property deal with the enigmatic Count Orlok, played by Bill Skarsgård. In the opening scene, a young Ellen, feeling isolated, makes a fervent plea to a supernatural entity for companionship. This act inadvertently awakens Count Orlok, intertwining their destinies and setting the stage for the ensuing narrative. Commencing the movie with this bone chilling scene, viewers were left surprised with the Eggers work, leaving them eager to continue watching.
“The movie was well done, the script is well written, and all the characters act in ways that make sense for their situation and context. The way the aesthetics change throughout is also very interesting. The directing and the cinematography as well creates suspense which leads to the overall fear of the movie,” sophomore Nathaniel Woods said.
One of the best aspects of the movie is Orlok’s character design. Eggers’ Orlok stays true to the 1922 “Nosferatu” with his gaunt, rodent-like features, elongated fingers and corpse-like pallor, but with modern enhancements that amplify his grotesque, inhuman presence. His monstrous look immediately sets the tone, ensuring audiences feel a sense of unease whenever he appears. Orlok’s design also adds to the symbolism of the movie through showing the themes of inevitability, love and death.
The two main scenes that exemplified Orlok’s unsettling design is when he is first introduced and in the final scene of the movie. When Thomas Hutter arrives at Orlok’s castle, he first encounters the Count in dim candlelight. Orlok’s elongated fingers, hollowed eyes and gaunt, rat-like features immediately unsettle both Thomas and the audience.
During the final scene, Ellen allows Orlok to feed on her until sunrise in order to end Nosferatu’s curse, and his monstrous features appear even more exaggerated in the flickering candlelight. As the first rays of sunlight hit him, his grotesque skin appears to wither, making his slow disintegration horrifying and marking the end of Nosferatu’s terror over Thomas’ town.
“The design of Nosferatu and the fact that the whole movie was in a dark setting helped make a fear of the unknown. [Orlok’s] paranormal abilities were crazy. The fact he could control the plague and he was pretty much the embodiment of evil lead to the fact that he was implied to be more than just a vampire,” sophomore Andres Calvo said.
Despite the film managing to make the audience visibly horrified and engaged, in a scene after Thomas receives a task, he makes his way to Transylvania and during his journey, Thomas encounters villagers who recoil at the mention of Orlok. That night, he witnesses locals exhuming and staking a suspected vampire. This scene abruptly presents a supernatural event without immediate explanation, leaving viewers unsure of its significance. But, this scene is still a main plot point, leading to the eventual introduction of Orlok.
“The movie in my opinion was really good. However, there were some parts of the movie which did confuse me a bit, but it all tied back in the end, and it had a good conclusion. Although I was confused at parts, they were major plot points and it developed the story of ‘Nosferatu’ very well,” sophomore Jose Vela said.
In Thomas’s first interaction with Orlok, he is left weakened, failing to destroy Orlok. This leads to Orlok spreading plague and death over the town of Wisborg, creating an eerie sensation throughout the rest of the movie. This scene effectively builds tension through Orlok’s manipulation of Thomas. Thomas’s vulnerability and Orlok’s arrival to Wisburg amplifies the sense of dread and escalating danger, making the audience feel the looming horror and inevitability of Orlok’s power.
As Thomas returns, Wisburg is ravaged by plague and Orlok is lead to Ellen and demands she submits within three nights, believing that their connection means she can break him from his eternal curse. Sensing her intimacy with Thomas, Orlok retaliates by murdering their friend and her children, driving her husband to a grief-stricken death soon after.
“I‘ve always been into the aesthetic of vampire movies, so I’ve watched the original ‘Nosferatu’ a few times, and I think the new one totally lived up to my expectations. I’m not a huge fan of horror, but I loved the lighting and overall style of the film. In terms of the story, I think it explored the themes of alienation and exploitation of women under traditional gender roles in a really interesting and fresh way, even though the concept of vampires has been around for centuries,” sophomore Alicia Fajardo said.
Leading to the climax of the movie, Ellen decides to sacrifice herself in an intense sequence, conspiring to keep Thomas away. As she lures Orlok towards her and lets him feed of off her until dawn, the sunlight kills Orlok and Thomas arrives to hold her as she dies, simultaneously ridding the curse and defeating Orlok. The audience felt a deep sense of sympathy for Ellen’s selfless act, as she willingly sacrifices her life to save her loved ones and end the plague, which highlights themes of love, duty and the inevitability of death.
Eggers’ “Nosferatu” weaves a tale of predestination, unyielding obsession, and the profound depths of sacrifice. With its rich gothic atmosphere and psychological complexity, the film reimagines the classic vampire legend, delving into the blurred lines between fate and free will, love and possession, life and death. Eggers’ direction and haunting visuals breathe new life into the story, making it a chilling horror experience.
