Nosferatu Filmmaker Robert Eggers Reflects on Fulfilling His Dream With the Reimagining

As a passionate cinephile, I’d say that Robert Eggers burst onto the scene with his chilling masterpiece, “The Witch,” which sent shivers down spines at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015. It took a whole year for this gripping horror to hit the big screen. The recognition Eggers garnered from this film opened doors to his long-held ambitions, one of which was reimagining F.W. Murnau’s 1922 classic, “Nosferatu.” However, there were some hurdles along the way, leading Eggers to focus on original films like “The Lighthouse” and “The Northman.” With delays due to production issues, the coronavirus pandemic, and writers’ and actors’ strikes, the revival of Nosferatu seemed further away than ever. But finally, after a long wait, Eggers’ “Nosferatu” graced cinemas on Christmas Day 2024, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about horror experiences of the year. Now, his visionary take on “Nosferatu” is available for digital streaming, and it hits 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD shelves on February 18th.

Nosferatu tells a chilling story of an obsessive relationship between a tormented female protagonist and a terrifying vampire who pursues her, leaving a trail of terror in its path. The film features Bill Skarsgård, known for his roles in the IT series and Barbarian, Lily-Rose Depp from The Idol and The King, Nicholas Hoult of Renfield and The Menu, Aaron Taylor-Johnson from Nocturnal Animals and Bullet Train, Emma Corrin, star of Deadpool & Wolverine and The Crown, and Willem Dafoe, who has appeared in The Northman and The Lighthouse.

I’d be happy to help!

I had a chat with Eggers about the making of the movie, working with his talented cast, and designing the terrifying appearance of Count Orlok, the legendary vampire.

Interviewer: For many years, this film has held a special place in your heart. When it started to look like it might become a reality around a decade ago, there were several alterations, postponements, and cast switches along the way. I’m curious, when you watched your Nosferatu, did it reflect the original vision you had for it or have there been numerous transformations over the years?

Robert Eggers: To be honest, I’m not sure if I could have made the movie as effectively 10 years ago, regardless of its success or failure. However, this is the film it has become. Over time, I focused on refining details, reducing expository elements, and balancing the right amount of ship in the story, as we couldn’t afford to include too much.

As a supporter, I must admit that the ensemble in this production is simply extraordinary. To be honest, I wasn’t overly familiar with Lily-Rose Depp before watching, but she truly exceeded my expectations and left me utterly amazed. Now, delving into the creative process, I’m curious about how the involvement of such a talented cast influenced the movie’s original vision. What unique contributions did they make that surpassed our initial expectations, ultimately shaping the final product in ways we hadn’t foreseen?

I have a very specific idea about what I want for this project, and it seems to be coming to life. However, remember that we’re working with a real person, so things don’t always go as planned. While I collaborate extensively with my cinematographer, Jarin Blaschke, on pre-planning the shots, we often rehearse them together in his kitchen or office to work out the details. A lot of the time, these preparations can become routine.

However, one notable instance I recall is the climactic scene featuring Lily, particularly her significant possession scene near the end, where she wore the brown-and-white checkered dress. This was a sequence we practiced extensively. Yet, during filming, it didn’t quite work as planned. We had to pause and revise our approach, leading to additional rehearsals. However, the final outcome surpassed my expectations, proving to be much more captivating than I had imagined.

One key element Bill introduced in the performance that stood out to me, given my fascination with Nosferatu’s dark and masculine qualities, was his ability to convey vulnerability. I now realize that this aspect adds depth to the character, which is something I had initially been reluctant to delve into due to my fatigue with melancholic, self-loathing vampires. However, a touch of that emotion was essential for balance in the portrayal.

Lily’s scene with the possession marked a pivotal moment in the film, reinforcing its greatness. However, I’m curious about what aspects weren’t functioning so well. Was it primarily the staging or lighting? Or was it perhaps the overall mood and atmosphere that felt off-balance to you?

Initially, due to the extensive work we’d already done on her physical aspects, shooting out of sequence felt challenging, but once we saw it properly lit, we realized it might be repetitive. Additionally, since she was accustomed to rehearsing in corsets and skirts, the actual dress provided even more constraints. Thus, we decided to focus primarily on her facial expressions. Fortunately, this turned out well. Moreover, as she had been working with choreographer Marie-Gabrielle Rotie for months on various techniques, she was capable of readjusting and incorporating those skills into this scene, making subtle improvements to specific facial expressions she had previously used in other scenes.

As a cinephile, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the day I could bring Nosferatu to life, and with The Lighthouse and The Northman gracing our screens, you might think I’d have lost my enthusiasm. But no, the desire only grew stronger. Now that the film is complete, what made the entire journey worthwhile? Was it the thrill of capturing it all on camera, or the moment when I sealed the edit? Or maybe it was seeing the audience engage with the movie, feeling their reactions? Truth be told, each step of the process was a fulfillment in its own right. But if I had to pick one, it would be the collective effort and creative camaraderie that brought this dream project to life. The satisfaction comes from knowing we’ve created something unique together, something that will resonate with audiences for years to come.

It’s clear now that your unique creative work is resonating globally as people are drawn together by it. Perhaps an unconventional aspect for a Gothic vampire film, yet it serves as a means for us to understand and relate to one another on a human level.

As a film enthusiast, discussing the design of Count Orlock, I was well aware that such an unconventional portrayal might spark intricate responses from viewers. However, I didn’t foresee the sheer focus on one specific feature – his mustache! Among all the alterations and reinventions, it seems the mustache has left a lasting impression, with viewers exclaiming, “I never imagined Count Orlock would sport a mustache!

I anticipated it might stir controversy given some folks’ strong affinity for Max Schreck. However, let me clarify, I hold Max Schreck in high regard; his character is one of the most legendary makeup designs ever conceived. Therefore, the question arises: Is it necessary to recreate it?

Additionally, it’s worth noting that given his status as a Transylvanian nobleman, it seems extremely unlikely, if not entirely impossible, that he wouldn’t sport a mustache. If this concept is difficult for you to comprehend, my apologies.

How does it make you feel, knowing that your work might one day be associated with the legacy of Nosferatu and people will compare you to F.W. Murnau and Werner Herzog? On a more intimate note, what are your feelings about this potential comparison?

No comment on that one, buddy.

In a few decades, I’ll touch base with you again and we’ll have a more accurate response. By the way, whenever someone achieves success in the entertainment industry, people often assume they’ll be offered roles in big franchises like Marvel or Star Wars. However, that’s not relevant to your situation, as there’s been some talk about a potential new Labyrinth project. I can’t confirm or deny if you’re involved, nor can I comment on the rumors if they’re unfounded or based on speculation by fans.

In order to thrive in this competitive field, I often have numerous projects underway simultaneously, as it’s hard to predict what will succeed next. However, my ultimate goal is to produce a unique and original film in the future.

Nosferatu is available now on Digital and hits 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on February 18th.

*The conversation you see has been shortened for brevity and understanding. Feel free to reach out to Patrick Cavanaugh personally through his Twitter or Instagram accounts.*

2025-01-23 03:10

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