‘Nosferatu’ Gets an Extended Cut For Home Release

Already a surprise hit in theaters, Nosferatu is headed to home video — in a new cut.

Today, Universal revealed that the film “Nosferatu,” directed by Robert Eggers, will be released in 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD formats next month. Additionally, it’s currently available for digital viewing at home. The release includes an extended cut of the movie, which has never been shown in theaters before.

For the home video edition, there are extra special features such as Eggers’ commentary throughout the film, cut scenes, and a detailed multi-part documentary that delves into the creation and production process of this movie, which is an adaptation of the 1922 German silent horror classic directed by F.W. Murnau.

The extended version is four minutes longer than the 132-minute theatrical cut.

Nosferatu has surpassed its global box office earnings to exceed an impressive $156 million. Previously, director Eggers’ most profitable venture as a filmmaker was 2022’s The Northman, which brought in approximately $70 million at the box office; however, with Nosferatu already outperforming this figure, he has more than doubled his previous financial record.

The additional four minutes may not seem like much, but the original version of Eggers’ “Nosferatu” was already quite engaging. Bill Skarsgård plays Count Orlok, a distinctive-looking and memorably voiced vampire who pursues a lovely young woman (Lily-Rose Depp). As I mentioned in my review on ScreenCrush…

In Eggers’ Nosferatu, there are numerous visual reminders of the original movie, most notably the employment of shifting shadows to depict Orlok creeping around the abodes of Friedrich and Thomas. Add some genuinely revolting physical gore effects and a couple of intense jump scares, and you get a truly terrifying, decidedly old-school horror film that caters to contemporary preferences while maintaining a tradition that has been sending shivers down viewers’ spines for more than a century.

On February 18, you’ll find “Nosferatu” in stunning 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD formats. If you can’t wait that long, grab the digital version available now on platforms like Apple and Amazon, as well as various other online stores.

The Best Movies of 2024

20. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

As a movie connoisseur, I can’t think of a more fitting stage for a tale about the perils of uncontrolled AI than a film meticulously crafted using stop-motion animation. Not only does this medium harmoniously complement the storyline, but the latest escapade of Wallace & Gromit is brimming with the sharp wit, visual brilliance, and heartwarming charm that we’ve grown accustomed to from this resilient series. In our increasingly digital era, it’s comforting to remember that some traditional methods, like stop-motion animation, continue to function flawlessly.

19. Close Your Eyes

In a return to filmmaking after three decades, Spanish director Víctor Erice delves into the realm of enigmatic films where the protagonist, in this case, the director himself, searches for a missing actor. This journey is not only about uncovering the whereabouts of the actor but also serves as a reflection on how movies can aid us in self-discovery. The film titled “Close Your Eyes” is meticulously slow and spans nearly three hours, yet it undeniably repays your time investment.

18. Nosferatu

Robert Eggers proves once again that he is a contemporary master of classic horror, with an affinity for the older films. In this instance, he has remade the 1922 German silent horror film “Nosferatu,” adding more elements to the original story: more gory scenes, more vivid metaphors, and (for good measure) some truly unsettling sound effects. For example, Count Orlock, played by Bill Skarsgård in a grotesque manner, makes noises as he consumes his victims that are reminiscent of a Capri-Sun pouch being squeezed.

I found it interesting that one of the characters, played by Willem Dafoe, calls Nosferatu “The Night Demon,” which was the nickname I used for my eldest daughter when she was a fussy newborn. She would only cry at night and refuse to sleep. This added a whole new layer of meaning to the text for me. We should all be cautious around The Night Demon.

17. The Wild Robot

It’s hard to imagine any parent not feeling emotional, at least once (or several times), while watching “The Wild Robot,” a beautifully sad animated tale from DreamWorks. This story follows a robot (played by Lupita Nyong’o) who washes up on an island filled with animals and takes it upon itself to follow its programming by caring for an orphaned gosling as if it were its own mother. I certainly couldn’t help but feel the same way.

16. Black Box Diaries

In this compelling mix of journalism and personal video narrative, Shiori Ito, the film’s subject, serves as the director. After persistent roadblocks in her efforts to press rape charges against a prominent Japanese media figure by the police, she embarked on an independent investigation regarding her case. The documentary titled Black Box Diaries chronicles Ito’s journey for justice. Its distinctive fusion of investigative work (tracing leads and interviewing possible witnesses) with intimate confessional segments (which include selfie videos that Ito shot during some of her toughest times) sets this documentary apart as one of the most remarkable documentaries of the year.

15. A Real Pain

As a cinephile, I’ve got to highlight “A Real Pain” as a directorial debut worth noting by Jesse Eisenberg. Not only did he pen the script, but he also shared the screen with Kieran Culkin in this heartfelt tale about two cousins on a journey across Poland, honoring their late grandmother who was a Holocaust survivor and immigrant from Poland. The movie is filled with moments of laughter, tears, and everything in between. Clocking in at exactly 90 minutes, it’s a compact yet impactful short story that I found particularly poignant in its portrayal of the struggle of being a ‘David,’ my character, yearning to be a ‘Benji,’ played by Culkin, only to discover that even being a ‘Benji’ comes with its own hardships.

14. Juror #2

I haven’t received any confidential details regarding why Warner Bros. seemed to put minimal effort into the cinema release of Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2.” However, I can say that it was one of the most enjoyable movies I watched in a theater this year – the kind of robust entertainment with a hint of deeper meaning that used to be common in cinemas a few decades ago and now seems quite rare. If “Juror #2” turns out to be Eastwood’s final film, it was certainly an impressive finale. From what I’ve heard, most people who got to see it in a theater generally had positive things to say about it.

13. I Saw the TV Glow

As a cinephile immersed in the realm of cinema, I was utterly captivated by the uncanny accuracy of “I Saw the TV Glow” in painting a portrait of ’90s and early 2000s suburban solitude. It was as if I had stepped back into my own past, living with parents, frequenting deserted movie theaters and fun centers, staying up late to catch those peculiar TV shows that seemed like they were only for me.

The film, in parts, reminded me of a fusion between “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”, if they had been under the creative vision of David Lynch. The imagery became so surreal, almost nightmarish at times. Yet, there were scenes that seemed like genuine snippets from a documentary of that era and locale. It’s a delicate tightrope to walk, making it seem effortless with Jane Schoenbrun at the helm.

12. Love Lies Bleeding

In this fashionable crime movie directed by Rose Glass, a gym supervisor (Kristen Stewart) becomes smitten with the latest bodybuilder in town (Katy O’Brian, delivering an outstanding performance). Just when you begin to think, “This seems familiar,” Love Lies Bleeding transforms into something entirely unanticipated. If David Cronenberg had taken the reins for Pumping Iron and blended a script infused with elements reminiscent of both Fargo and Showgirls, it could have resulted in something similar to this wickedly amusing thriller.

11. Hit Man

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a sense of irony with this movie title – “Hit Man.” This film, in my humble opinion, had all the makings of a blockbuster hit at the multiplex. However, it skipped straight to Netflix after a rather quiet theatrical release, much like a soft whisper instead of a thunderous applause. But fear not, Richard Linklater’s latest comedy is far from a flop.

In fact, there are several perks to watching “Hit Man” on Netflix. For one, you could revisit this movie as many times as you’d like, and trust me, it’s a film worth rewatching.

Glen Powell, in an incredibly charming performance, plays a psychology teacher who moonlights as an impersonator for the New Orleans Police Department, only to find himself smitten by one of his clients. “Hit Man” is a hilarious, seductive, and thought-provoking film that offers surprising insights into the fluidity of our personal identities. So, don’t let this gem get lost in the vast Netflix streaming library – give it a watch!

10. Rebel Ridge

Discussing films that might have slipped under the radar on Netflix: Last September, Aaron Pierre’s compelling performance as an upright Marine entangled with corrupt cops in “Rebel Ridge” should have been a major topic of conversation within the film industry. However, amidst the dozen new movies on Netflix that month, it seems it didn’t quite garner the attention it deserved.

This doesn’t imply that Pierre wasn’t exceptional, or that director Jeremy Saulnier, known for “Blue Ruin” and “Green Room”, failed to deliver another top-notch action film, one that bears a resemblance to “First Blood” but is refracted through the fractured lens of our contemporary world.

9. Anora

In the movie named “Anora,” initially, it appears similar to the film “Pretty Woman.” A prostitute is asked to portray a wealthy man’s girlfriend for a week, and they unexpectedly develop feelings for each other. However, writer/director Sean Baker admitted that he didn’t notice the similarities between his movie and “Pretty Woman” until midway through production. Interestingly, around this same point in “Anora,” the film starts to veer significantly from the “Pretty Woman” formula — and becomes truly captivating.

At this juncture, Baker really delves into the delicate approach he showcased in previous projects like “Tangerine” and “The Florida Project,” both of which explored the lives of sex workers. What sets “Anora” apart is its remarkable cast, led by Mikey Madison in the title role, as well as its unique mix of tones, with scenes transitioning seamlessly from comical to tragic in a flash of heavily-applied mascara.

8. The Substance

A Cronenberg-esque blend of horror and comedy unfolds the story of a television actress (Demi Moore, delivering a captivating performance not seen in years) experimenting with an enigmatic substance known as “The Substance”. This concoction transforms her into a youthful duplicate (Margaret Qualley), geared for a fresh start on-screen.

Undeniably, this thrilling cinematic ride is perfect for Blu-ray or streaming. Unfortunately, if you didn’t catch it in theaters, you missed an extraordinary experience. Watching it among a crowd, as we collectively unveiled the depths to which writer/director Coralie Fargeat dared push her commentary on the absurd physical expectations of women in showbusiness, was an unparalleled sight. (Spoiler alert: She went extremely far.)

7. The Fall Guy

Akin to an aged muscle car with faulty brakes, once “The Fall Guy” gains momentum, it refuses to slow down. Its peak moments echo the spirited exuberance of an old Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical, “Let’s put on a show!”. It’s so wholeheartedly enthusiastic about movie magic that it inspires you to create your own film or simply enjoy one.

The term “movie magic” may be somewhat misleading. When a film captivates like “The Fall Guy”, the audience experiences it as magic. Behind the scenes, crafting such magic is a blend of illusion and grueling work, much of which is acknowledged by the unsung heroes in “The Fall Guy”. At one point, Emily Blunt’s character Jody Moreno tells Ryan Gosling’s character Colt Seavers that she wants their action scenes to convey the idea “How far would you go for the one you love?”. If “the one” is replaced with the euphoria of exceptional cinema, then you’ve captured the driving force behind this highly entertaining movie.

6. Dune: Part Two

Denis Villeneuve skillfully brought back his crew for the conclusion of his Dune adaptation, and it was indeed worth the anticipation. Upon revisiting my initial Dune review, I realize that all the praises heaped upon it – “the future it portrayed feels so complete and tangible that certain scenes play like a preview of the world to come,” “it’s crystal clear in its purpose, politics, and epic sci-fi narrative,” “it captures the grandeur of vision that Dune fans claim makes the original work unique” – can be applied equally to Part Two. This science fiction film series is one of the most ambitious of the century, and we’re fortunate to have both parts despite a pandemic and Hollywood’s financial instability.

5. His Three Daughters

In a personal and poignant reflection, I’ve realized that the emotions I have towards Azazel Jacobs’ film “His Three Daughters” are deeply intertwined with the loss of a loved one earlier this year. I haven’t discussed this connection much, but as I delve deeper into my feelings, it becomes clear. This film, and cinema in general, particularly how it portrays death from the viewpoint of those who experience it (in this case, skillfully depicted by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne), resonates profoundly with me.

Although I’m not entirely convinced that the characters’ argument about the most authentic way to depict death on screen is accurate – showing absence – I can’t deny that the final 20 minutes of Jacobs’ intense family drama leave me heartbroken every time I watch it.

4. Hard Truths

As a devoted admirer, I find myself at a loss for words to express my awe at Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s outstanding portrayal in Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths.” Somehow, she breathes life into Pansy, a fiercely angry woman who spends the entire film venting her fury on everyone around her. Remarkably, she transforms this character into a deeply sympathetic figure of immense empathy, even without Leigh’s screenplay explicitly detailing the roots of Pansy’s pain or anger.

Interestingly, Pansy’s sister Chantelle, brilliantly portrayed by Michele Austin, appears to be thriving despite their shared tumultuous childhood with a challenging mother.

The true power of Jean-Baptiste’s performance lies not in the verbal tirades directed at the grocery store clerk, dental hygienist, or her husband when he orders chicken (which she detests). Instead, it’s in the subtle, unspoken moments when Pansy is alone and Leigh’s camera captures glimpses of Pansy’s inner truth through sideways glances or nuanced facial expressions.

3. The Brutalist

It’s delightful to find that it’s still possible to create a film like “The Brutalist,” an insightful and elegant four-hour American epic that focuses not on extraterrestrial life or the search for magical artifacts, but rather the interconnected journeys of two men uniting to construct something. It’s also fitting that this movie delves deeply into the challenges of creating such a deeply personal artistic project – a struggle where the success of such endeavors is often at the mercy of fickle investors’ whims. Over the coming months, you can expect much discussion about Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce (playing the artist and the benefactor). They truly deserve all the recognition they will undoubtedly receive.

2. Challengers

Two of my top ten preferred films from 2024 share a unique trait: Exceptional performances by Zendaya portraying a woman who becomes smitten with and attempts to guide a promising man, who may not be as perfect as he seems. In the film Challengers, one could argue that she navigates the complicated dynamics of two gifted yet troubled individuals, portrayed convincingly by Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor. However, it is Zendaya who skillfully manages the rivalry and romantic entanglements of these tennis stars.

Beyond this captivating cast, Challengers boasts stunning cinematography and editing, exhilarating tennis scenes, and a script penned by Justin Kuritzkes. What intrigued me even more was discovering that the movie was written by Celine Song’s spouse, who also directed Past Lives. In the past two years, they have both created movies centering around intricate love triangles involving a beautiful and talented woman questioning her choice of partner. This revelation left me quite amazed.

1. Nickel Boys

In this profession, I often get to watch a multitude of excellent and exceptional films. However, it’s quite rare to encounter a movie that feels fresh, a film that ventures into unexplored cinematic landscapes. But then, every so often, a gem like “Nickel Boys” arrives. This is not just an original work, but a bold and thought-provoking one, with a unique perspective – or, in this case, two perspectives.

This uniqueness arises from the brave choice made by co-screenwriter and director RaMell Ross. Instead of conventional shooting techniques, he opted for nearly all point-of-view shots, capturing the story through the eyes of its primary characters. Alongside cinematographer Jomo Fray, Ross’ innovative POV camerawork immerses the audience into the minds and experiences of two young men enduring a Florida reform school in the 1960s. Misused, this technique could become a bothersome gimmick. However, in Ross’ capable hands, it feels like a fresh perspective on the world, possibly even a glimpse into the future of cinema.

2025-01-21 19:24