I watched Nosferatu (2024) and I really liked it! 4/5
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There’s something almost poetic about the idea of Nosferatu (2024) being remade again. The 1922 silent classic is one of the most influential horror films of all time, inspiring everything from Dracula adaptations to Salem’s Lot to the very essence of cinematic vampire mythology. So, naturally, when Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse) announced he was bringing it back to life, the expectations were sky-high. Would he be able to capture the eerie, shadow-drenched horror of the original? Would he modernize it too much? Would this just be The Northman with fangs?
Turns out, Eggers was the perfect director to take on Nosferatu. His take is a gothic, slow-burn nightmare, drenched in dread and hypnotic imagery, pulling from folklore, German Expressionism, and horror’s most primal fears. This is the kind of horror film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll—not because it’s filled with jump scares (it’s not), but because it seeps into your bones like a bad omen. It’s not a perfect film, but Nosferatu is undeniably an experience.
A Haunting Tale, Steeped in Tragedy
Eggers follows the broad strokes of the original film’s plot but fleshes it out with a deeply melancholic, tragic atmosphere. We follow Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), a real estate agent who travels to Transylvania to finalize a deal with the reclusive Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Of course, Orlok is no ordinary nobleman—he’s a monster, a living corpse who feeds on the blood of the living. As Thomas becomes trapped in Orlok’s grasp, his wife Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) begins to fall into a supernatural connection with the Count, setting the stage for a battle of fate, obsession, and doom.
Unlike traditional Dracula stories, Nosferatu leans into the otherworldly horror of its vampire. Orlok is not some seductive, caped aristocrat—he’s a creeping plague, a disease with a mind of its own. There’s something deeply unsettling about how the film presents him, not just as a predator, but as an inevitable force of nature, inescapable and all-consuming.
Bill Skarsgård is a Terrifying Count Orlok
Let’s get one thing straight: Bill Skarsgård is terrifying in this movie.
If you thought his Pennywise from It was creepy, you haven’t seen anything yet. His Count Orlok is grotesque, unsettling, and inhuman. Eggers wisely leans into the Nosferatu mythos, making Orlok less of a traditional vampire and more of an ancient, unknowable thing. His movements are unnatural, his presence inescapable, and his dead-eyed stare alone is enough to make your skin crawl. The makeup and prosthetics are incredible, transforming Skarsgård into something that barely resembles a man.
And yet, for all his monstrous qualities, Orlok is also undeniably tragic. There’s a loneliness to him, an eternal hunger that goes beyond just feeding. He is not a vampire who wants to kill—he is a creature who must kill, and Skarsgård plays him with a level of pathos that makes him more than just a monster. He is doomed, just like those who cross his path.
Lily-Rose Depp’s Ellen: The Heart of the Horror
One of the biggest improvements Eggers makes to the Nosferatu story is in the character of Ellen. In the original, she was mostly a passive victim, but here, she’s given much more agency and depth. Lily-Rose Depp delivers a hauntingly beautiful performance, playing Ellen as a woman trapped in a fate she doesn’t fully understand. Her connection with Orlok isn’t just fear—it’s something deeper, almost spiritual. The film explores this idea of predestined doom, of a woman caught in the gravitational pull of an ancient horror, and Depp sells every second of it.
Her chemistry with Nicholas Hoult’s Thomas is also strong, making their doomed romance all the more tragic. Hoult plays Thomas as a well-meaning but ultimately powerless man, someone who is trying to fight forces far beyond his understanding.
A Gothic Horror Feast for the Eyes
Visually, Nosferatu is stunning. Eggers, alongside cinematographer Jarin Blaschke, drenches every frame in shadow, candlelight, and decaying beauty. The film’s color palette is muted, almost sepia-toned, making it feel like an ancient nightmare unfolding in real-time. The production design is jaw-dropping, from the crumbling castles of Transylvania to the fog-soaked streets of Wisburg, each location feeling like it’s been plucked from a 19th-century nightmare.
There’s also a deliberate slowness to the pacing, which might turn some audiences off. This isn’t a film packed with action or quick scares—it’s a creeping dread, a movie that slowly wraps around you like a cold hand on your neck. Every shot is meticulously crafted, every frame meant to evoke unease.
Where Nosferatu Falls Short
Despite all its strengths, Nosferatu isn’t without its flaws.
For one, the film’s pacing—while effective in building atmosphere—can sometimes drag. There are moments where you feel like the movie is lingering a bit too long on a shot, or stretching out a scene past its breaking point. While this might work for some, others may find it exhausting.
Additionally, while the film nails its horror and atmosphere, it doesn’t necessarily reinvent the Nosferatu story in any significant way. It’s a beautifully made remake, but it doesn’t push the narrative in any bold new directions. If you’re looking for a completely fresh take on the material, you might leave feeling like you’ve just watched a more polished version of the original story.
Final Thoughts: A Nightmare Worth Experiencing
Nosferatu (2024) is pure Gothic horror, a film that feels like a lost relic from another time. It’s eerie, unsettling, and drenched in tragedy, with breathtaking visuals and a haunting score to match. Bill Skarsgård’s Orlok is instantly iconic, a horrifying yet deeply tragic figure that lingers in the mind. Lily-Rose Depp delivers a mesmerizing performance, and Eggers crafts a horror film that feels like a nightmare you can’t wake up from.
It’s slow, methodical, and not for everyone—but if you’re a fan of Eggers’ style, old-school horror, or just want to experience something truly unsettling, Nosferatu (2024) is an experience you won’t forget.