Nosferatu – A Review in Brief
This Movie IS for:
- Fans of classic horror that can handle a touch of the bizarre
- Anyone that enjoyed Robert Eggers previous films like The Lighthouse
This Movie Is NOT for:
- Those looking for a straightforward horror film
- Moviegoers averse to uncomfortable sexual confrontations with undead Eastern European counts…
Nosferatu has been on my radar since its first trailer, but I had no expectations walking into the theater—until I learned Robert Eggers directed it. At that point, I knew I was in for an uncomfortable moviegoing experience with bizarre sexual undertones, uncomfortable camerawork, and limitless tension. My previous experience with Eggers is limited to The Lighthouse, but that film feels like the perfect primer for Nosferatu. Despite my discomfort, I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and it kept me rooted to my seat for every minute of the 2h12m runtime.
The story of Nosferatu is told as one long nightmare. Eggers’s camerawork makes every scene feel like it’s on the edge of reality with long shadows and dark corners that evoke the questionable reality of dreams. Combine that with sudden flop sweat epileptic seizures that evoke The Exorcist, and you’ve got a recipe for an unsettling nightmare. Adding to the unreality are every character’s overacted performance, right down to the beast, Nosferatu, himself. It’s purposeful and gives the film an air of melodrama that manages to ring true despite some of the ridiculous outbursts from the characters. Yes, I did laugh out loud at a few of these in the theater, but it wasn’t enough to save me from the frights that came after.
From start to finish, Nosferatu never stops being uncomfortable and tense. Every scene has the potential to devolve into a blood bath, but early on, the violence is told in shadows, or in brief flashes. These teases of future barbarity make the rising horror even more effective. Much like Jaws, the creature was far scarier off-screen, but Nosferatu’s eventual reveal did not disappoint. Even through all of the discomforting visuals, the film is beautiful with detailed and immersive sets.
At this point, I’ll watch Bill Skarsgård play any villain Hollywood throws at him. He made a fantastic Pennywise and his Count Orlok is both overplayed and terrifying in the same moment. It’s nice to see him get a bit of redemption after this year’s The Crow reboot bombed critically and commercially. Speaking of bomb redemptions, Aaron Taylor Johnson also gives a stellar performance as the side character, Friedrich. The fact that I had to walk by a theater playing Kraven the Hunter to get to Nosferatu gave me a bit of a giggle.
The leads, Nicholas Hoult and Lily Rose-Depp have great on-screen chemistry and both play the role of star-crossed horror lovers with perfect wistfulness. Finally, I can’t stop without mentioning Willem Dafoe, who once again gives a beautiful, unhinged performance that stands right up to last year’s Poor Things (my review here). Overall, there is not a bad performance in the film, and even side characters steal the scenes they’re in.
I enjoyed Nosferatu far more than I thought I would, but I do have a hard time recommending it for everyone. The strange sexual depravity that Eggers is becoming known for and his hallmark discomforting tension are not going to appeal to everyone. However, if you’re looking for a classic monster movie with the above elements incorporated, I recommend you give this one a watch. It’s a unique riff on a familiar concept that stands on its own.
4/5 Stars – Come for the spooky vampire, stay for the blood orgy and unhinged 1800s medical advice
Psst, go buy my latest horror-comedy novella Lake of the Damned, it’s $2.99.
Ashton Macaulay 