NOSFERATU is a 2024 supernatural gothic horror film written and directed by Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse). Following Werner Herzog's Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), it is the second remake of the 1922 film written by Henrik Galeen and directed by F. W. Murnau, which in turn is an "unauthorized and unofficial" adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula. Filming primarily took place in and around Prague between February and May 2023.
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
The cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Willem Dafoe.
NOSFERATU made its debut in theaters December 25th, courtesy of Focus Features.
NOSFERATU was high on my must-see list for awhile for a few reasons, first I am just a horror guy so the genre always entices me, and second I have been a big fan of writer and director Robert Eggers ever since his 2016 horror film The Witch (full review here). Eggers has a unique vision and a great feel for the horror genre, and his early success allowed him the opportunity to deliver the epic revenge thriller The Northman (our full review here). Needless to say I was hopeful he would deliver with NOSFERATU, and he did not disappoint.
NOSFERATU is a powerful film and an instant classic for the genre in my personal opinion. Everyone knows the story of Dracula, or at least a version of it, but the reality is that the origin of this evil being is as dark as his intentions. I have not read Bram Stoker’s 1987 novel Dracula, which led to several films featuring the main character of his creation, but to say that his name will live on forever would be an understatement.
Now NOSFERATU is a reimagining of the 1922 film as I mentioned in the intro, but it also openly admitted to not being a direct representation of the novel. The story itself was made to be a bit more compact and in my opinion more intimate, and Robert Eggers did not hold back when he attempted to bring this classic film to the big-screen more than 100 years later. To be honest I couldn’t think of a better person to have written and directed this film, and his overall talent is absolutely showcased with this project.
NOSFERATU has everything film lovers look for; top-tier acting, incredible cinematography, an immersive feel, a fantastic score, and more than anything that lasting impression that viewers leave the theater with. I can’t stop thinking about that powerful final scene which had me on the edge of my seat gripping the armrest. Eggers knows how to wow audiences and he delivered yet again with NOSFERATU. Bill Skarsgård is easily one of the more talented actors working today, and he was equally chilling and amazing as Count Orlok. Lily-Rose Depp, the daughter of the great Johnny Depp, was a pleasant surprise in the lead role of Ellen Hutter.
Starring alongside Depp as her husband Thomas was Nicholas Hoult, and he continues to impress me as an actor. Aaron-Taylor Johnson co-stars as Friedrich Harding, a friend and confidant of Thomas. I am big Aaron-Taylor Johnson fan and I thought he was really good here as well. He recently starred in Kraven the Hunter (our full review here) as well. If you have yet to see him in Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals (our full review here), you need to get on that ASAP. NOSFERATU also stars Emma Corrin and Willem Dafoe who were both great as well. I mean what is Dafoe not in these days? That guy is killing it.
THE VERDICT
Brilliantly acted and featuring truly mesmerizing visuals, Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU is an ambitious take on the gothic horror classic that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on viewers. I genuinely enjoyed this film and I can confidently say that it will be even better after a second viewing thanks to such a high level of attention to detail. Be sure to see NOSFERATU in theaters to ensure you experience it the way it was meant to be seen.
TED TAKES RATING - 9.1/10
NOSFERATU is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.