Pan and Slam

Nosferatu

R 2h 13m

• Director
  • Robert Eggers
• Stars
  • Lily-Rose Depp
  • Nicholas Hoult
  • Bill Skarsgård

By Jason Koenigsberg

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu takes over one hundred years of vampire imagery and lore on film and creates a gothic horror masterpiece. It is one of the most elegantly constructed movies of recent years regardless of genre. This is an unforgettable re-telling of one of the most over-told horror stories. The atmosphere created in Nosferatu is equalled by the terrific performances which are simultaneously grounded and over-the-top but feel perfect for this picture. This timeless tale has been adapted into a timeless classic by its director which makes it modern and relevant for 2024.

The opening shot starts off with music box style tunes over a black screen when Lily-Rose Depp appears on screen, scared, crying and transfixed by the unseen title character trying to posses her. The camera pans and reveals she is in a bedroom and it is a great opening shot that has been seen in most trailers for the film. The whole pre-title sequence is masterfully constructed pulling the viewer in and scaring them at the same time. It creates a mood that grips the audience and never releases it until the closing credits. In between the audience is treated to haunting images that will stay with the viewer long after the movie is over.

The atmosphere in Nosferatu excels thanks to the spectacular sprawling set design for 1830’s Germany that recreates big cities, gothic castles, gypsy villages, desolate crypts, and elegant chambers. The eerie score and terrific sound effects and sound design compliment the striking visuals. Robert Eggers has proven as master filmmaker in terms of creating a mood and a historical sense of place but he outdoes even his own best work here with Nosferatu. The way Eggers uses light and shadow and blends black and white and color cinematography is why Nosferatu is unquestionably one of the best looking and sounding movies of the year. Also, some of the visuals are so mysterious and unsettling the viewer does not know what they are seeing until the camera lingers for a period of time or the low key lighting reveals more but while it does that something else in the background could be moving and make the scene even more unsettling. Even the editing can mystify the viewer from one scene to the next with the blocking of characters or elements of the mis-en-scene. Nosferatu is always sumptuous and gorgeous invigorating viewers not to know what to expect next even though most will be familiar with Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ story which is what Nosferatu is based on.

The performances are perfect for what Nosferatu demands most notably Lily-Rose Depp, Johnny’s daughter all grown up, and she owns this movie. She is ready to break though to the big time and this is the role that should make her a bigger name. Willem Dafoe is great as always as the Dr. Van Helsing type of role, Bill Skargard is barely recognizable as Count Orlok/Nosferatu, and Nicholas Hoult does more than a less actor would with the demands a male lead trying to save his wife, and himself from the ultimate evil infatuated with his bride.

Robert Eggers makes this classic horror story based on a novel and silent film both over a century old relevant for 2024 paralleling the plague with our recent bout with the COVID pandemic. He allows Lily-Rose Depp to redefine the female lead with her portrayal of the object of the vampires obsession being a strong female lead able to convincingly stand up against the evil that terrorizes her. Plus, the evil entity himself, a toxic masculine figure, has an ability to entrap victims and an entire city with his vile and manipulative ways. All of these elements add up to making Nosferatu one of the best movies of recent years.