Nosferatu (2024)

2024
Directors: Robert Eggers
Starring: Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson,  and more.

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 hasn’t been around long but he’s got a distinctive style to his films that’s unique in a sea of intelligent, thought-provoking, and at times, frightening movies. I loved The Witch and The Lighthouse.  The Norseman was a good movie, it just didn’t resonate with me personally. Seriously, can’t get the idea that the leads in that film agreed to show up at a volcano naked and fight to the death out of my head.

Many claim that Nosferatu, is a rip off of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. This goes back 100 years when the Nosferatu movie in 1922 was made with Max Schrek in the title role. Others say it’s an unauthorized, unofficial adaptation of Stoker’s 1897 classic story. You can see the similarities but the tales goes to a different place. Even though Stoker died in 1912, his widow still sued the film over the adaptation’s copyright violation. The court ordered that all copies of the 1922 film be destroyed. Someone kept a copy, else we wouldn’t be able to watch it today. Another film adaptation, Nosferatu the Vampire, was released in 1979 and starred Klaus Kinski and curiously used the names from Stoker’s work (Count Dracula, Vanhelsing, the Harkers, and more.)

And in 2024, Eggers decided to revist this story and I was excited to see it as a fan of most of his works so far.

Let’s start with the good news. The latest adaptation of Nosferatu is a visual masterpiece, delivering incredible cinematography that elevates the film into a true artistic experience. Every frame is meticulously crafted, immersing the viewer in a gothic, haunting world that feels both timeless and deeply unsettling. As someone who admired the silent horror classic from 1922, I had high hopes—particularly regarding the film’s aesthetic—and on that front, I wasn’t disappointed. The commitment to atmosphere and detail is evident in every shot, making it a feast for the eyes, even when the horror elements feel a little subdued.

The performances are strong across the board, but Lily-Rose Depp is the standout. She brings an emotional depth to her character that adds complexity to the story, even in moments where the pacing lags or the plot lacks urgency. Her presence elevates the film, creating a sense of melancholic dread that you just can’t shake throughout the entire movie.

The bad news? This Nosferatu isn’t a nightmare-inducing horror film. For seasoned horror fans, it’s really not that scary, relying more on mood and eerie aesthetics than outright terror. While it masterfully captures the gothic essence of its predecessors, it doesn’t quite send shivers down your spine. However, the film’s rich atmosphere and artistic approach make it worthwhile for those who appreciate slow-burn horror and striking cinematography.

Overall, while Nosferatu (2024) isn’t be the scariest adaptation, it’s still a compelling and visually stunning piece of filmmaking. It’s a must-watch for fans of the original story and those who appreciate the art of gothic horror—just don’t expect it to keep you up at night.

Isabella Jordan