Review: 'Nosferatu' is a cinematic experience wrapped in goth that lingers like a shadow in your mind

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) resurrects the haunting legacy of F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent masterpiece, delivering a cinematic experience that lingers like a shadow in the mind. While honoring its silent-era roots, Eggers’ vision introduces a modern sensibility to this gothic tale, blending meticulous craftsmanship with a chilling atmosphere that immerses audiences in 19th-century Germany.

A Story Cloaked in Darkness

The film begins in 1838 in the fictional town of Wisborg, where Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) and her husband Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) share a quiet life. Thomas, a real estate agent, is tasked with travelling to Transylvania to finalize the sale of a decrepit property to the enigmatic Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Despite Ellen’s ominous premonitions of doom, Thomas embarks on his journey, drawn by the promise of wealth.

Upon reaching Orlok’s eerie castle, Thomas is met with dread as he realizes his host is no ordinary man. Meanwhile, Ellen suffers from disturbing dreams and an unexplainable connection to the sinister count. As Orlok schemes to claim Ellen, Thomas races against time to return home and protect her. What ensues is a harrowing descent into terror, as the couple and their town are enveloped by the Count’s malevolent presence.

Eggers’ Masterful Vision

Eggers transforms a familiar narrative into a fresh and immersive experience, highlighting his extraordinary attention to detail. The film painstakingly recreates the 19th-century setting, from the quaint streets of Wisborg to the desolate, crumbling walls of Orlok’s castle. The oppressive atmosphere is achieved through muted color palettes, intricate period costumes, and hauntingly authentic set designs that transport viewers to a bygone era.

The journey to Orlok’s castle stands out as a visual and emotional highlight. Thomas’ perilous ride through snow-laden forests and jagged mountains evokes a sense of isolation and foreboding, underscored by breathtaking cinematography. The castle itself, shrouded in darkness and decay, becomes a character in its own right- a prison that mirrors the Count’s monstrous essence.

Shadows That Speak

One of the most striking aspects of Nosferatu is its use of shadows and lighting to evoke fear and tension. Orlok’s looming silhouette, cast against walls and rooftops, is a tribute to the expressionist style of the original film while serving as a metaphor for his pervasive evil. These visual elements are complemented by a deliberately bleak lighting design that blurs the line between the real and the supernatural, amplifying the sense of dread.

An Auditory Nightmare

Sound design plays a pivotal role in Eggers’ storytelling, with Orlok’s voice mixed to unsettling effect. Skarsgård’s guttural tones resonate with otherworldly menace, making the Count a chilling presence even in silence. The soundtrack weaves eerie strings and haunting ambient noises to heighten suspense, creating a symphony of unease that lingers long after the credits roll.

Performances That Haunt

The cast delivers remarkable performances that anchor the film’s gothic melodrama. Lily-Rose Depp shines as Ellen, portraying her torment and inner conflict with a poignant intensity. Her portrayal captures the character’s struggle between fear and an inexplicable attraction to Orlok. Nicholas Hoult’s Thomas is equally compelling, embodying a man caught between ambition and despair as he succumbs to the horrors of his journey.

Bill Skarsgård’s transformation into Count Orlok is a tour de force. Buried under layers of prosthetics and makeup, Skarsgård disappears into the role, presenting a creature more grotesque than any suave vampire seen in modern cinema. Orlok’s decayed visage and inhuman movements make him a walking nightmare, embodying the unrelenting nature of death and decay. Willem Dafoe adds gravitas as the enigmatic Professor Franz, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corrin offer grounded performances as Ellen’s companions.

The Verdict

While Nosferatu draws heavily from its cinematic predecessors, it carves its own identity through Eggers’ distinctive style. The deliberate pacing may not appeal to all viewers, but it rewards those who savor atmospheric storytelling. This is a film that asks audiences to lean into discomfort, to embrace the unease and the unknown. Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is a masterful retelling of a classic tale, offering a bold and ambitious adaptation that pays homage to its origins while forging a new path. Whether you are a fan of gothic horror or a newcomer to the genre, this Nosferatu is a cinematic experience you won’t soon forget.

Rating

**** (4/5 stars)