Nosferatu review
The last major horror release of 2024 was worth the wait for fans of Robert Eggers and the timeless story of Dracula (by any name).
New movie reviews will not contain spoilers
Nosferatu
Directed by Robert Eggers
Screenplay by Robert Eggers
Starring Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicolas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson and Willem Dafoe
Nosferatu Review
Two things can be true at once. On the one hand, Robert Eggers has arguably made the best adaptation of this story in the long history of film. It is a beautiful movie with an unending sense of dread. A master at the full extent of his abilities. On the other hand, there simply isn’t a lot of tread left on this story’s tires. So, what are we talking about here? Eggers’ Nosferatu as a film or Bram Stoker’s Dracula as a story? Both, of course. But it’s important to keep in mind that only the former is being scored.
Technically a remake of F.W. Murnau’s 102-year-old silent film of the same name, Nosferatu is (and always was) a retelling of Stoker’s famous vampire tale. If you are, somehow, unfamiliar with the that story…run to theaters immediately to see Robert Eggers’ new film. You are in for a real treat. I would give anything to be able to experience this story for the first time in this format. If you have only a cursory knowledge of Dracula…the recommendation holds true to you as well. You’re going to love it. If Dracula happens to be a story that you love…buy tickets for two shows in a row. I wouldn’t argue with anyone proclaiming it the definitive adaptation. It’s that good.
That good…with an asterisk. That asterisk is for a specific kind of viewer. People who are tired of Dracula. Story, as you know, remains the most important part of any movie. You can do everything else right…but if you don’t have a good story…you don’t have a good movie. That’s not to say Stoker’s Dracula is a bad story. It hasn’t persisted in the national consciousness for over 125 years by accident. No, Nosferatu’s sole issue is that its story will be so familiar to so many people. No matter how you dress it up…and Eggers is, perhaps, the best tailor going today…you’re still watching yet another retelling of the same story.
In fairness, Nosferatu comes at a good time for one. While vampire movies have never ceased their mass production…Dracula himself has seen something of a soft resurgence of late. Renfield and The Last Voyage of the Demeter both feature the character in vastly different ways. Renfield brings the count (by way of Nicolas Cage) into modern ties for a supporting role in a bloody horror comedy. The Last Voyage of the Demeter turns a single chapter of Stoker’s novel into a feature length boat ride through hell. Nosferatu contains scenes from that voyage as well. Along with everything else you expect from the story.
It’s possible that at this point of the review you’re asking yourself why I keep talking about Bram Stoker’s Dracula when that character isn’t listed on the film’s IMDB page. For the answer to that…you have to go all the way back to 1922. F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu was an unauthorized adaptation of Stoker’s text. Stoker’s widow sued over it. And won. All copies of Murnau’s influential masterpiece were supposed to be destroyed…but I’m sure you know that they didn’t quite pull that off. Count Orlok, as he is known in Murnau’s film, is simply Count Dracula by way of another name. Wener Herzog remade the film as Nosferatu the Vampyre in 1979…reverting the characters back to their names in Stoker’s novel Robert Eggers has remade it with the names of Murnau’s film back in place.
Whatever names you prefer…it’s still Dracula. More importantly, it’s an extraordinary adaptation. But is that enough to hook people who have seen more than their share of the Prince of Darkness for one lifetime? Honestly? Probably.
You may have guessed by now that I am one of the people I’m referring to. Actually, I’m worse. I have never connected to Stoker’s story regardless of format. I didn’t care for the book…and I have yet to come across a film that fixed that problem. Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu comes closest. Close enough, in fact, that I’m certain anyone who doesn’t outright loathe the story will enjoy this picture. I did. Even though I am much closer to loathing than apathy on the subject. That’s no small feat.
It won’t surprise you to learn that Nosferatu is a gorgeous film. At least, it won’t be if you have any familiarity with Eggers’ previous work. It also boasts a tremendous cast that is fully committed to playing in the Dracula/Nosferatu sandbox. The film also benefits from Murnau’s superior ending. That may be sacrilegious to people who believe the book is always better…but I stand by it. Herzog and Eggers both stuck to Murnau’s conclusion for their Nosferatu adaptations…regardless of any other changes they may have made. Aside from that ending…you’re presented with the same story beats that have become so familiar over such a long period of time. No matter what the story’s title has been.
Where does that leave us? With an excited recommendation for Nosferatu for most movie goers…and an apprehensive one for viewers who swore they were done watching this same story told over and over. I’ve lived in the latter camp for years. I look at Dracula like people look at Superhero movie origin stories. I just couldn’t do it anymore. Then I watched Nosferatu. It turned out that I could do it one more time. For the definitive adaptation. For the last time. That’s about as high a compliment as I can pay.
Scare Value
Eggers is the king of marrying style to substance. His Nosferatu is no different. I wouldn’t argue with anyone who deems his version the definitive take on Bram Stoker’s tale…even if the film he’s remaking would argue that it wasn’t taking from it in the first place. The highest quality production values, great performances, a prolonged sense of dread…Nosferatu is everything you’d expect from Robert Eggers.
4/5
Nosferatu Link
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