In 1922, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror premiered. This silent movie was later colorized with music added. Here it is 102 years later, and we have a 2024 reinterpretation in theaters now. The new Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers, is based on the screenplay for the 1922 film, which itself was a thinly veiled adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula with the names changed.
That means you may well be familiar with the basic shape of the story, and the main players. Bill Skarsgård makes a great Count Orlok in all his vampiric glory: hulking, decrepit, and ever commanding. Lily-Rose Depp, Johnny Depp’s daughter, portrays Ellen Hutter, the natural-born supernaturalist whom the Count is obsessed with. Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) is the young lawyer sent to Count Orlok's castle for a visit he'll never forget.
Rose-Depp and Simon McBurney, who plays Thomas Hutter’s employer and vampire familiar Knock, do an excellent job with scenes of possession and madness. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Willem Defoe. He takes on the role of the occultist scientist who is knowledgeable about the vampire and the plague it brings. He helps Ellen realize why the vampire is drawn to her and her role in his demise.
Filmed in the Czech Republic and Romania, Nosferatu looks wonderfully macabre. Hunedoara Castle in Romania stands in for Count Orlok's castle. It's a looming and foreboding building with crumbling inner structures and few furnishings. The atmosphere is at times brooding, and at other times suspenseful. I should also mention that this film does not shy away from nudity, and you can expect free-flowing blood.
Nosferatu is set in the 1830s. I enjoy period films and shows because of the costuming. This one had splendid costuming, but also wonderful set design. Many shots make effective use of contrast, with darkness swallowing up color. The film makes great use of shadows, including a nod to its predecessor by showing the long, clawed hands of the vampire moving along the walls. There are also doors opening and closing by way of the count's mental abilities. I wondered why crosses would be planted on a beach, though.
I was glad to see real wolves in this movie. The 1922 version used a hyena and even referred to it as a werewolf. It also pleased me to see Thomas Hutter (played by Nicholas Hoult) flee the castle by climbing out of a window. I recall that from the novel.
The music score was emotional and feels very large. This version of Nosferatu explores the story in depth and expands upon vampire mythology.
I want to thank director Robert Eggers and his cast and crew for giving us such a rich tale of the ultimate vampire. I highly recommend giving this movie a watch.
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