M Davis
"Nosferatu" (2024) is a remake of a book adaption of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” Images courtesy of Universal Studios.
“Nosferatu” is a wonderfully horrific 2024 remake of the original 1922 cult classic, which itself was an unlicensed adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula.” It’s now streaming on Peacock after being released in theatres Dec. 25th.
It’s set primarily in 1830s Germany and partly in Transylvania, and follows Ellen Hutter, played by Lily Rose-Depp, and her husband Thomas Hutter, played by Nicholas Hoult. When Thomas Hull, an estate agent, goes to sell a new home to a nobleman in rural Transylvania he did not expect to find horrors beyond his imagination. The film was directed by Robert Eggers who’s known for his intense, creepy horror films and extreme historical accuracy.
He does away with jumpscares to frighten his viewers, instead relying on the immediately chilling atmosphere. The opening scene establishes an unsettling feeling that lingers throughout the entire film. Brutality is tempered with beautiful shots of the untamed Transylvanian wilderness that contains the home of Count Orlok, the titular vampire. Every scene brilliantly bleeds into the next, even in a two-hour-long movie the film never feels as if it’s dragging on.
The acting is dramatic, even over the top in some scenes, but it doesn’t feel forced anywhere. Multiple scenes that feel very uncomfortable soon bleed into being almost comical, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing— it adds to an uneasy factor in some scenes. Rose-Depp is surprisingly good in this movie considering her controversial performances in former projects, such as [title].
Hoult is believable and compelling as the historical lead. Bill Skarsgard does an impressive voice and performance for Orlok. But by far the best performance is by seasoned actor Willem Dafoe as the eccentric doctor Albin Eberhart Von Franz. He makes a spectacle of every scene he is in, and his performance elevates every line. He and Skarsgard are by far the most memorable performances.
This movie is incredibly dark, dealing with themes of coercion, sexual abuse, depictions of historical misogyny, and of course, gore and violence, as is typical of most horror movies. This is not the kind of movie to watch and turn your brain off, being uncritical in its viewing is detrimental to the enjoyment of the film. Likewise, the film is not a romance between Orlok and Hutter, as some online viewers have posited.
However, a major pitfall of the film is its depiction of Romani people, even if they only feature for a small part of the film. While it’s expected that an adaptation of a movie from the 1930s that is itself an adaptation of a book written over 100 years ago would not have proper representation of marginalized groups, it could have done less to emphasize a “wild exoticness” portrayed in the film.
“Nosferatu” is a great watch for die-hard horror fans but shouldn’t be recommended for those with short attention spans or those who are easily disturbed. Its long run time, disturbing content, and triggering themes may not be a problem for most viewers, but those especially sensitive should perhaps avoid this film.
Rating: 9/10