'Nosferatu' review: Robert Eggers delivers chills and thrills in spooky reimagining
Courtesy of Focus Features
A spine-tingling reimagining of the 1922 silent classic, Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” is a masterful exercise in gothic horror. The filmmaker delivers on all fronts, from the immaculate production design to the rock-solid performances, and the sweeping camera work that places the viewer deep in every shadowed nook and cranny. This is especially effective when Bill Skarsgård’s devilish Count Orlok stalks the frame, lurking in the background like a persistent nightmare. It’s yet another triumph in Eggers' already impressive filmography, cementing him as a marquee director whose name above the title can lure top talent and studio support.
Eggers has steadily raised his game with each film. From the intimate, isolated world of “The VVitch” to the claustrophobic single-setting of “The Lighthouse,” his ability to craft tension is unparalleled. While “Nosferatu” may not boast the same sweeping scope as “The Northman,” it still feels remarkably grand. And Eggers remains faithful to the original narrative, but what truly draws the audience in is the atmosphere—filled with mounting suspense and the timely resonance of a society ravaged by plague. It's a haunting experience, deeply unsettling in all the best ways.
Orlok is far from the typical bloodsucker. Though he obviously shares a legacy with the “Dracula” films, Eggers gives the character an entirely new life. Outfitted with an Eastern European accent and slick hairdo, Orlok is a figure of pure dread, and Skarsgård’s performance makes him one of the most memorable screen monsters of recent memory.
Between this role, Pennywise in “It”, and headlining “The Crow” remake, Skarsgård seems to have cornered the market on playing unsettling supernatural beings. The way he drags out every syllable of his dialogue and his eerie physicality make Orlok a truly terrifying presence, and his performance, combined with Eggers' direction, is a treat for horror fans.
As is tradition in these tales, Orlok sets his sights on a beautiful young woman—Lily-Rose Depp’s Ellen, whose fate was sealed long before the events of the story. Years prior, Ellen unknowingly summoned Orlok from an eternal slumber, and his obsession with her has only grown. She’s now married to Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), a real estate agent sent to Transylvania by his boss, Herr Knock (Simon McBurney), to sell Orlok land in their small German village.
While Thomas is away, Ellen begins to experience strange dreams and visions involving the Count, and as her condition worsens, she seeks help from Dr. Sievers (Ralph Ineson) and an unorthodox professor, Eberhart Von Franz (Willem Dafoe, having a ball as another eccentric character). Together, they form an unlikely team akin to what I call the Gothic Avengers, setting out to stop Orlok as he sends plague-infested rats to the village, causing a wave of death among the townspeople.
While the setup might feel familiar, Eggers’ continues to showcase his rare ability at crafting unnerving period horror that never feels cheap or overly simplistic. Eggers thrives at building tension in quieter moments, like a possession scene involving Ellen that had me gripping my armrest.
Depp, as always, is a magnetic presence, and this is her most authentic performance yet. Her portrayal of Ellen is deeply affecting, and the camera adores her. But it’s McBurney who almost steals the show with his eccentric turn as Knock, delivering one of the film’s most unnerving (and gleefully delightful) moments, which I won’t spoil here.
“Nosferatu” is filled with small, haunting details that sustain the experience. The labyrinthine corridors, lush costumes, and chilling sound design all serve to create a world that feels both timeless and new. While Eggers has the benefit of modern technology unavailable to filmmakers of the 1920s, he never loses sight of the classic film’s roots. Instead, he pays homage while injecting his own unique cinematic voice, resulting in a satisfying, blood-soaked tale that thrives in darkness. Watch your neck.
Grade: A-
NOSFERATU opens in theaters Christmas Day.