3.5 out of 5 Bloodsuckers (Above Average)
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is a really good horror movie that could have been a great one with a few tweaks. It’s a remake of the classic 1922 film of the same name that originated the vampire onscreen as we know it today, and as far as remakes of classics go, this Nosferatu is a thoroughly creepy, atmospheric horror carried by an excellent Lily-Rose Depp, strong cinematography, and a solidly-told story that will make you fear things that go bump in the night.
1830’s Germany: Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) and Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) are two newlyweds in the mad throws of love. The former is an aspiring real estate agent called on by his firm to settle the affairs of the mysterious Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard), who lives six weeks away across the sea. Despite Ellen’s concerns about her mental health declining in Thomas’s absence, he must go, leaving her in the care of rich friends Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his wife Anna (Emma Corrin). Upon his arrival to the count’s abode, Thomas discovers Orlok is a horrifying creature of the night who desires Ellen for himself, hitching a boat ride to Germany and starting a rat plague as he psychically spooks her. A frenzied Frederich can only turn to disgraced professor Albin Eberhart (a scenery-chewing Willem Dafoe) and Doctor Sievers (Ralph Ineson) for help, but can they save Ellen from the Count’s dark embrace?
Lily-Rose Depp is the number one reason to see Nosferatu. She portrays Ellen’s gradual mental decline and desperation expertly and commands the screen whenever present. Skarsgard is also excellently unsettling as Orlok, using a voice that sounds like me after an intense coughing fit. The remaining cast is also strong overall (with Dafoe adding some welcome camp), though Hoult’s Thomas is underwritten compared to everyone else. It’s a tragic, gothic romance about the demons that haunt us brought to life with great vigor and skill.
Louise Ford’s editing maintains tension, allows the character development scenes to breathe, and executes some great jump scares. The gore effects are seamless and while the cinematography sometimes calls too much attention to itself, the film is always visually beautiful. I also wish there was more time given to Orlok and Ellen’s sessions and that Thomas had more characterization, but the overall film sucked me in with its story, characters, and atmosphere the way good horror does. Nosferatu is a scary, well-spun yarn laced with tragedy, strong performances, an engrossing story, and excellent atmosphere. Take a bite out of it.
Rated R for Violent Content, Strong Graphic Nudity, and Some Sexual Content