Review: Nosferatu
Succumb To Darkness
INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film Nosferatu. Keep in mind this is but one of the many movies I watch every year, and that whatever initial grade I come up for this film could change for better or worse with time. To better keep up to date with both my thoughts on other movies and if my feelings on this film changed, follow me on Letterboxd.
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THE PLOT
Via Letterboxd: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
QUICK REVIEW
It’s been 112 years since F.W. Murnau’s masterpiece, Nosferatu, was (per a judge’s ruling) illegally released to the public, narrowly escaping destruction after its release. That twist of fate allowed the film to become arguably the most well-known work of the silent movie era. It’s my personal favorite from 1922, and even a century later, it remains one of the eeriest and most unsettling films ever made. Essentially Dracula with a tragic romance at its core, the film boasts a bittersweet, haunting finale that deviates from its source material.
In 1979, Werner Herzog reimagined the story with Nosferatu the Vampyre. While I appreciate that film, I have mixed feelings about its pacing (some moments drag) and the way it takes liberties with the finale.
Now, a new version comes from Robert Eggers, who has spent years teasing his adaptation. Eggers has steadily climbed the ranks as one of the most exciting directors of our time, known for his darkly atmospheric tales that feel like dark folklore brought to life. I deeply respect The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), but for me, Eggers truly came into his own with The Northman (2022). With each film, he seems to grow more assured in his craft.
Eggers brings all his signature strengths to this retelling of Nosferatu - masterful direction, an ominous dark fairy-tale atmosphere, and stunning cinematography and set design. Those elements are always a given trademark in his films, but what makes this one stand out as his best yet is the way the story unfolds. At over two hours, the film maintains a perfect pace. Whether delivering exposition, building tension, or unleashing moments of sheer horror, it never drags. It’s also Eggers’ most accessible film to date, one I can confidently recommend to anyone, regardless of their typical preferences for pacing or genre.
The acting ensemble elevates the film further. Bill Skarsgård continues to prove himself a master of iconic villains, disappearing completely into the role. Nicholas Hoult had me shouting at the screen, urging him to escape his the predicaments he was getting himself into. Aaron Taylor-Johnson brought a nervously un-intended laugh as a man seemingly oblivious to the tre horror around him. Ralph Ineson felt like the lone voice of reason amidst the madness, and Willem Dafoe was phenomenal as a fo’–Van Helsing figure.
However, the standout performance belongs to Lily-Rose Depp. Her portrayal is breathtaking, from her accent and physicality (her convulsion scenes had me gasping) to the raw emotion she conveys. She anchors the story and makes its tragic arc resonate powerfully enough that even a “feel-good movie” guy like me accepted the inevitable. Her performance is undoubtedly one of the year’s best.
The film also excels in technical aspects - the score is mesmerizing, the visual effects are seamless, and the makeup work is extraordinary. From start to finish, this is a production worthy of awards in multiple categories - if only horror films received the recognition they deserve. But no matter, you’ll see it show up multiple times on my personal ballot.
Initially, I planned to make this a bonus review for paid-tier subscribers, but I wanted to spread the word about this film as widely as possible before its release. It deserves to be a major box-office success. With all due respect to Herzog’s 1979 version, this is the definitive remake of the 1922 classic. Not only is it the best horror film of the year, but it’s also one of the year’s best films, period. Hell, I’d probably rank it as the best horror film of the decade so far, if you don’t count Godzilla Minus One as a horror. I give Nosferatu a rare, emphatic A+. I happily succumbed to the darkness. If you love horror, tragic romances, gothic folklore, or victorian-era backdrops, you should too.
INITIAL GRADING
