Robert Eggers
‘ Nosferatu may have started off as “just another remake” of an old movie, but has very quickly become one of the most talked about and highly anticipated movies of the year. After wowing critics with a strong 87%, the film finally opened to audiences on Christmas Day – and has been equally well received.
Eggers is best known for his incredibly atmospheric work on movies such as The Witch and The Lighthouse, making him a perfect choice to direct the reimagining of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent horror classic. From the first 19 verified reviews from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, 17 have been positive, giving the film an early score of 89%. However, not only have the reviews been good, but most have rated the film five out of five, with particular praise being given to the haunting visuals and Eggers’ ability to breathe new life into a story that has terrified audiences for over a century.
Nosferatu
tells the story of Thomas Hutter, a young man who journeys to the remote castle of Count Orlok. We don’t need to go into too many details of the plot, as everyone knows the story of Dracula on which the original film was controversially based. Bill Skarsgård takes on yet another horror role as Orlok, delivering what has been described as a horrifying and heartbreakingly tragic performance – we really have come to expect no less from the man who managed to completely embody Stephen King’s Pennywise. Lily-Rose Depp’s portrayal of Ellen has also come in for some of the highest praise, while the supporting cast, including Nicholas Hoult and Willem Dafoe certainly don’t seem to be letting the side down.
What Are Audiences Saying About ‘Nosferatu’?
Overall, Nosferatu is another chilling and compelling film from Eggers, and with its stark, desaturated colors – which hark back to the original silent movie’s washed out appearance – the filmmaker has once again proven himself to be one of the most interesting working in Hollywood today. Audiences, on the whole, seem to agree.
Brianna T was one of the first to comment on the film, leaving a review that not only praised the film, but cited it as one that could rejuvenate the entire horror genre for some. They wrote:
“The best horror movie I have seen in a long time. I was beginning to dislike the genre but this movie blew me away. It was disturbing, scary, traumatizing, thought provoking, and attention grabbing. It never lost my interest although there was times that sub-titles would have helped in my understanding. It did exactly what I think they were trying to accomplish.”
Other reviews were just as eager to lay praise on Eggers’ “masterpiece.” This included Julian, who simply wrote, “A cinematic masterpiece, great acting and suspense throughout the film I give it an A.” This was backed up by Crystal B, who echoed, “A cinematic masterpiece filled with breathtaking scenes, phenomenal acting, and chilling fear portrayed in every scene. The film has gore and nudity which is expected of most vampire-esc adaptations.”
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Not everyone was completely taken by the movie, as you would expect, with Jordan H expressing disappointment with the way the movie progressed.
“For me, it started out great, I LOVED the first third of the movie. When Nosferatu is revealed, that’s when everything took a turn for the worse for me. The film became much less unsettling/creepy and became more like melancholy romance. The second half of the movie was a chore to get through, it was so freaking boring for real.”
With its blend of Gothic horror, psychological study, and the Eggers’ touch, it seems that Nosferatu has risen again. As a movie with a history that is almost as compelling as anything in the story itself, Nosferatu’s journey from a movie destined to be purged from the world to its latest success is one that will see it stand as the landmark of the horror genre for many years to come.
Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name from director F. W. Murnau. Robert Eggers is crafting his own version of the story for the reboot as writer and director, with Bill Skarsgård stepping into the shoes of Count Orlok. Nosferatu tells the tale of a young woman who falls victim to a vampire utterly infatuated with her.
- Release Date
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December 25, 2024
- Runtime
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2h 12m