A Reel Review: NOSFERATU

In 1922, German film director F.W. Murnau delivered an unauthorized and unofficial adaption of Bram Stoker’s horror novel, Dracula…called NOSFERATU. The film would go on to become an influential masterpiece of horror and in overall cinema, while setting the template for horror films for the next 100 years. This year, acclaimed horror director Robert Eggers rises again with his own masterful take on NOSFERATU. 

 

In Germany, 1834, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), accepts an offer to travel to Transylvania to close a real estate deal with the mysterious and reclusive Count Orlock (Bill Skarsgard), who has a connection to Thomas’ wife Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp). Once the deal is set, Thomas is imprisoned and Orlock travels to find Ellen, bringing a deadly plague with him. 

 

Written and directed by Robert Eggers, who thus far has delivered three chilling films (THE WITCH, THE LIGHTHOUSE, THE NORTHMAN), NOSFERATU follows the familiar tale of the vampire from Transylvania causing chaos and death from the shadows. Ellen, staying with friends (Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Emma Corrin), suffers from sleepwalking and horrific visions. As her condition worsens, her doctor (Ralph Ineson), summons his old professor (Willem Dafoe)…who discovers the coming threat of Orlock. 

 

It's the story that we’ve read and seen on the big screen many times over the last 100 years; from Bela Lugosi’s classic take in 1931 to Francis Ford Coppola’s stunning version in 1992. But Robert Eggers, using his unique touch and vision, gives this NOSFERATU a personality of its own. Twists and turns come that make the story fresh and give the film serious depth; this works not just as horror but a psychological mind-messer-upper. The film looks bloody amazing with every shot and edit meticulously edited. The scares are well-executed, and the sense of atmosphere is thick and hangs over the film. Eggers takes influences from the 1992 film and from ancient history, and the film is finely woven with it all; it feels like the history of cinema and folklore right before our eyes. 

 

Performances are tremendous. Bill Skarsgard (son of Stellan), is chilling with his accent and provides a voice that will be heard our heads long after the credits roll, and his look is as grotesque as it is fascinating. Lily Rose-Depp (daughter of Johnny), is fantastic. The rest of the cast is equally excellent; Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, and Emma Corrin. 

 

There is a lot of greatness packed into NOSFERATU in its directing, acting, and overall craftmanship. It will take oceans of time before we know if this film will be regarded as influential as its 1922 predecessor, but for now we can still call it a masterpiece.  

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it