Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
Robert Eggers is one of the most exciting independent voices in the film industry. He returns with a remake of “Nosferatu”, over a hundred years after the original silent film was released. With a similar premise, a new bride is struggling with horrifying visions from her dreams. Her husband is looking for his big break, aiming to broker a large real estate deal. He must leave his wife in her condition to meet with the buyer, a mysterious man from Transylvania named Count Orlock. As her visions worsen after his departure, she realizes that the mysterious Count may be the man from her dreams. Once the Count gets word, he will stop at nothing to retrieve her, bringing an unimaginable darkness with him.
Positives:
2024 has been a strong year for the horror genre, but concluding the year with an independent, gothic horror tale like “Nosferatu” is the perfect conclusion. Knowing Robert Eggers would be tackling the project also added to my excitement. I’m happy to report that “Nosferatu” is a worthy remake of the classic film! Eggers’ artistic style is on full display here, crafting an otherworldly experience that makes the audience feel as if they’ve been transported to the 1800s. The attention to detail on the costume design and time period are impressive. As the characters walk through the brick layered streets past the old, gothic homes, it’s clear that Eggers wanted to lean into the mythology of the story. This is true with the performances as well. The characters commit to the lingering dread that Count Orlock brings. His sinister presence is felt throughout the film, conveyed wonderfully by Bill Skarsgård. His performance was truly something out of a nightmare. His physical attributes were unrecognizable underneath the prosthetics and makeup. But the gravely, deep voice he gives the character perfectly captures his menacing presence. Skarsgård’s performance is one of my favorites of the year. Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Simon McBurney all deliver strong performances too. Ralph Ineson and Willem Dafoe (two of Eggers’ regulars) also amplify the cast as the vampire hunters.
“Nosferatu’s” strongest elements may come from the atmosphere that Eggers creates. The film shifts between a dreary color palette, filled with lots of muted color during a cold winter. The other portions of the film are expertly crafted with darkly lit rooms, where the orange flame of a lamp gives off a radiant light. The contrast between these two formats perfectly sets the tone of the film, where the grey conveys a sense of bleak hopelessness while the darkly lit sequences harness the darkness Count Orlock is bringing. The moodiness of the cinematography is excellent. I really enjoy when the characters we follow are consumed by the environment they’re living in. Not only do they have a tense mystery on their hands, but the darkness surrounding Orlock adds a sense of urgency to their story. The film also transitions between dream sequences and reality. These switches are also conveyed by the color grading and cinematography which is a clever way to establish reality and fantasy. I so enjoy appreciating the technical elements of a film like this while also enjoying the gothic nature of this classic horror film. A great way to conclude 2024!
Negatives:
While “Nosferatu” is largely successful, there are a few techniques Eggers includes that leave me feeling the same way about his previous work. I’ve enjoyed every one of his movies but the pacing continues to drag his films down. I appreciate the approach to letting his stories unfold organically, yet they always feel longer than they are. The same goes for “Nosferatu”. Standing at two hours and thirteen minutes with credits, the film felt far longer than its runtime. There are pieces to the story that could have been removed completely and the outcome would have been the same. I thought the movie was going to end a few different times but it kept going. Even if the screenplay was trimmed to two hours it would have felt more appropriate. Some of the mythological details of Count Orlock’s intentions also felt fuzzy. The general premise explains his intention to find his wife, but the reasoning for his actions and connection with Depp’s character felt murky. Perhaps it is a film designed to be rewatched multiple times to grasp the deeper connection they share through the flashbacks and dream sequences. Egger’s previous films have also fallen victim to some convoluted plot details, some of which are interesting and others not as much.
Conclusion:
Robert Eggers’ retelling of the classic vampire story plunges audiences into a dark nightmare. The visual style captures the lingering sense of dread throughout the story. The color grading that is weaved between the dream sequences and reality makes for an experience that plays with the viewer’s mind. The film is led by a handful of great performances, but Bill Skarsgård steals the show as the titular character. The engrossing nature of the film is unlike anything we’ve seen this year, which will please fans of the genre. Although the pacing can be very slow, the story is interesting enough to bear it. I recommend checking out “Nosferatu” as a fan of auteur filmmaking and a supporter of the horror genre.
