Paola Garcia-Lizardi
Staff Writer
A month has passed since the long-awaited release of Robbert Egger’s Nosferatu, and it would be erroneous to describe the movie as anything short of a perfect retelling of the beloved horror-film classic. Nosferatu’s history has long been a topic of debate in pop culture, from its infamous lawsuit, which led to the near-destruction of the film, to the impact that it had on the horror genre, which can even be seen in today’s modern films. Egger’s take on this iconic horror classic is a beautiful homage to its predecessor and its creators; legendary German director, F. W. Murnau, and producer, Albin Grau. The characters reflect Egger’s respect for the original material, as they are similar enough to their respective points of inspiration but with a unique twist that makes them feel fresh and new. This magnificent writing is accompanied by spectacular and hunting performances from an all-star cast, which sees Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlock; Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter; Nicholas Hoult as Tomas Hutter; Aaron Taylor Johnson as Fredrich Harding and William Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz.The latter character is a new addition to the story that serves as a tribute to the occultist producer Albin Grau. ‘Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror’ was initially meant to be part of a greater series of films that would promote occultist ideals, however, due to the copyright lawsuit issued by the Stoker’s widow, the films were never produced. Nevertheless, the occultist ideas from the first and only film of said series are obvious throughout the story. Its most obvious example is the terrifying creature that is our titular character, as Nosferatu is not only a mystical creature but the bringer of death and plague itself. William Dafoe gives an astounding performance that showcases the deeply religious aspect of the original production, which many attribute as the driving force behind the horror of the film. The other characters that are present in the film are the same as in the original movie, however, Egger takes Ellen, who is the brave yet fragile heroine in the original work, and places her at the center stage in this adaptation. Depp’s glorious performance allows the audience to see Ellen in a new light, as she is full of tragedy and loneliness, which gives the character more depth than she has previously been given, which makes her ending all the more significant. Simultaneously, Skarsgård’s characterization of Count Orlock is as haunting as ever. His terrifying performance is part of what makes the film feel so perfect, as he brings the vampire back to its original purpose; to showcase the ancient horrors of evil. If you are a lover of gothic horror, make sure to check out Robbert Egger’s Nosferatu. You might just find your new favorite adaptation of Adam Broker’s most adored monster.
Caption: Nosferatu teaser poster (2024)
Photo courtesy of by IMDB
