Writer and director Robert Eggers has as unique voice and style that sets the grim tone in his latest project, “Nosferatu.” The film is a masterfully executed gothic tale of obsession, blending timeless horror with the his signature stylistic flourishes. This retelling of the world’s most well-known vampire story is a haunting and visually stunning experience that’s elevated far beyond typical horror genre fare. Already known for his meticulous attention to detail and atmospheric storytelling, Eggers proves to be the perfect match for this material, turning “Nosferatu” into an arthouse horror film that is as much about mood and tension as it is about terror.
Set in Germany in the 19th century, the classic story follows Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), a young woman who becomes the object of Transylvania vampire Count Orlok’s (Bill Skarsgård) unrelenting obsession. Newly married to Thomas (Nicholas Hoult), the creature’s infatuation with her leads to a path of inevitable horror for Ellen and her adoring husband.
Anyone familiar with literature will know where this is heading, but Eggers masterfully builds suspense through the anticipatory dread of how these doomed characters will meet their eventual fates. The result is a film that may be predictable, but the mounting tension and haunting atmosphere keeps the storytelling engaging.
Visually, Jarin Blaschke‘s cinematography is nothing short of stunning. He utilizes light and shadow in ways that are absolutely eye-popping. The use of contrast between light and dark evokes the eerie stillness of silent era horror films and when paired with the director’s modern approach, brings a new level of sophistication and depth to the story. Every frame feels carefully composed, harnessing the power of the horror to create a visceral experience that’s very disturbing.
The performances are surprisingly impressive, too. Hoult, who seems to have made a career at playing mostly forgettable characters, is quite good here. He’s definitely skilled at conveying a sense of pure terror, and his ability to look both scared to death and completely unhinged anchors the film in an unsettling realism. Depp is equally compelling, mostly because she looks the part and is so well cast (her performance is better than you’d expect, too). The pair have a nice chemistry and their romance is believable despite being trapped in an otherwise bleak and horrifying narrative.
Another thing that stands out about the film is the high-level vocabulary in the script, which features extremely intelligent, sophisticated dialogue. Eggers uses period-appropriate language to give the film a historically grounded and rich texture, which is a nice change from what you’d expect in a typical vampire movie This is a story for well-read audiences rather than those seeking mainstream horror filled with jump scares or cheap thrills. It’s a more refined and elevated retelling of the classic story.
“Nosferatu” is a film filled with elegance, sophistication, and undeniable style. Eggers brings a balance of art and suspense that’s gothic, beautiful, and chilling. His film is a perfectly executed retelling that makes you appreciate the enduring power of classic stories, but also proves that when placed in the hands of a filmmaking talent, the genre can be transformed into something truly elevated.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 