Movie Review: Nosferatu

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Despite a somewhat distant tone, strong performances and skillful direction make this remake of the classic horror film atmospheric, dreamlike, and genuinely unsettling.

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is a beautifully shot and disturbing gothic horror film. It clearly honors the original 1922 Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror – a groundbreaking black and white vampire movie directed by F.W. Murnau – while still creating its own identity. Though the new film is visually impressive, some viewers might not feel a strong connection to the characters. Murnau’s original is a celebrated classic, famous for its innovative use of shadows and quick camera movements, and continues to influence filmmakers today.

With Robert Eggers’ acclaimed work on films like The Witch and The Lighthouse, and the growing popularity of sophisticated horror, it was only a matter of time before discussions began about a new version of a classic. People were eager to see what this talented director could bring to the project with today’s filmmaking technology. Although vampire stories have been retold many times, giving Eggers creative control offered a fresh and promising approach.

In the 1830s, a real estate agent named Thomas Hutter journeys to Transylvania to meet the mysterious Count Orlok. He leaves his fiancée with friends, but when she begins having terrifying visions, they suspect something evil is connected to Hutter’s potential client.

Eggers has crafted a stunning and disturbing horror film that both honors and reimagines the classic original. It retains the eerie, dreamlike quality of the first film, proving its enduring influence. By embracing familiar horror elements – like a looming castle, hidden crypts, and a truly unsettling villain – Eggers amplifies the film’s otherworldly atmosphere. The film’s careful attention to visual detail creates a deeply immersive and captivating gothic drama.

“I feel a chill.”

This beautifully crafted film immediately draws you into its dark and impressive world. Count Orlok is particularly striking, with a creepy appearance and unsettling voice that lingers in your mind. Director Robert Eggers masterfully creates a memorable and disturbing atmosphere by focusing the action within confined spaces. The story revolves around a realtor’s wife who becomes central to the horror as Orlok gains control, exploring themes of possession, seduction, and the fragility of the human mind. The film’s stunning visuals successfully capture the spirit of the original Nosferatu while also bringing a fresh, chilling quality to the story.

The film is visually stunning, but feels strangely uneven. It unfolds at a deliberate pace, and while it uses special effects, they’re subtle. This creates a sense of disconnection, largely because the dialogue is very formal and old-fashioned – sometimes even reminiscent of Shakespeare. This can be distracting, as the audience spends time understanding the language instead of connecting with the characters’ feelings. The actors, however, deliver strong performances, and Willem Dafoe feels particularly comfortable in the role, likely due to his previous work with the director and in a similar vampire-themed film, Shadow of a Vampire.

Orlok is a truly frightening and unsettling figure – tall, shadowy, and powerfully present. However, Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal feels a bit empty and lacks depth, possibly because he’s outshined by other actors and feels more like a tool for the story than a fully realized character. Bill Skarsgard, though largely hidden under makeup, still manages a compelling performance, drawing on a similar challenge he faced with his role as Pennywise. Lily Rose-Depp fully commits to her character, Ellen, delivering a performance that is both captivating and deeply unsettling.

Despite a strong cast, the movie doesn’t quite connect with viewers because it lacks a genuinely appealing or admirable character. The characters are either uninteresting or focused on their own goals, creating an emotional distance. As a result, the film feels more like a visual experience than a story that truly resonates.

Despite its impressive visuals and genuinely creepy scenes, this new version of Nosferatu doesn’t quite manage to fully engage us emotionally. We don’t feel deeply connected to what happens to the characters. However, it’s still a beautifully made and effective remake that pays respect to the original film. It’s a fitting tribute to the classic, released a century ago, and offers an interesting comparison between old and new filmmaking techniques. Though dark, unsettling, and captivating when it hits its stride, this remake, while well-made, doesn’t fully deliver on its emotional potential.

The bottom line: Haunting

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2025-10-24 22:43