Nosferatu – REVIEW

As a cinephile who has been immersed in the dark and enchanting world of cinema for decades, I must say that Robert Eggers’ latest offering, Nosferatu, is a mesmerizing piece of art that deserves a standing ovation. This film is not just a remake but a brilliant amalgamation of the original Nosferatu and the 1932 Dracula, with a sprinkle of the creator’s unique flair for the bizarre and eerie.

Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult deliver commendable performances, with Depp proving her mettle beyond the nepo baby tag. Skarsgard, as Nosferatu, is nothing short of terrifying. His portrayal of the undead title character is a masterclass in acting, making him the go-to guy for these grotesque monsters. I’ve seen my fair share of vampires, from Max Schreck to Klaus Kinski, and Skarsgard certainly holds his own in this prestigious league.

However, much like Count Orlok himself, the film is a bit long-winded and overstays its welcome at times. But that’s Eggers for you – always pushing the boundaries of what we consider “scary” with his visually stunning yet creepy rather than frightening films.

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of Eggers or just love a good, unsettling vampire tale, Nosferatu is a must-watch. Just remember to keep the garlic handy – you never know when Count Orlok might make an unexpected appearance! And as for my favorite joke about this film? Well, it’s not so much a joke as it is a commentary on the state of the world today: “They say that real estate is all about location, location, location. But in Nosferatu, it’s more like ‘death, death, death’!

In three movies, Robert Eggers has proven himself to be one of cinema’s most unique and visually striking directors, and this trend continues with his fourth film, a remake of the 1922 classic “Nosferatu.” The original film featured Max Schreck as the vampire in a role that influenced future adaptations. A delayed remake was made in 1979 with Klaus Kinski, and now it’s Bill Skarsgard’s turn to portray the undead title character, presented here as a unsettling blend of athletic giant and decaying corpse.

In a creative blend, Eggers’ adaptation combines elements from the 1932 film “Dracula” and the original “Nosferatu,” which was based on Bram Stoker’s story and eventually faced legal action by Stoker’s widow. In this version, socialite Ellen (played by Lily-Rose Depp) is now married to junior lawyer Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult). The movie begins with Ellen being plagued by nightmares about Count Orlok, also known as Nosferatu, who believes her to be his destined love. As the story unfolds, it’s Thomas who is sent by his employer’s real estate office to Orlok’s castle (though Transylvania isn’t explicitly mentioned). The purpose of this trip is to buy the castle for his company as a means to impress his boss and secure promotion. However, unaware of Orlok’s true nature, Thomas encounters a series of increasingly eerie events that nearly cost him his life. Like the classic tale of Dracula, Count Orlok sails to Germany (as cargo), spreading death among his crew and releasing thousands of rats at his destination, with the intention of making Ellen his own.

The movie serves as a long-cherished endeavor for Eggers, reflecting his distinctive style through intricate set decoration, obscure languages such as Orlok’s speech, and a roster of familiar faces like Willem Dafoe and Ralph Ineson. Most members of the cast deliver excellent performances, save for Aaron Taylor-Johnson whose portrayal echoes Keanu Reeves’ role in Coppola’s Dracula. Lili Rose Depp, however, outshines her ‘nepo baby’ label with a demanding physical performance. Nicholas Hoult exhibits compassion in his second role connected to Dracula, following his title character portrayal in ‘Renfield’ alongside Nicolas Cage. Ultimately, the focus lies on Bill Skarsgard, demonstrating once more that he is the preferred choice for such grotesque characters, having previously impressed as Pennywise in ‘It’. His portrayal of Nosferatu is both intimidating and complex, being physically imposing yet emaciated, grey-skinned, and always lurking in the shadows to heighten suspense. Skarsgard’s performance is truly remarkable.

Instead of sticking to the conventional tropes common in the genre, this interpretation of Nosferatu manages to be unsettling rather than frightening – a characteristic more prevalent in Eggers’ work. As expected from the director, the film is visually stunning, but its length may deter new viewers, which is unfortunate since this director’s releases, much like those of Christopher Nolan, are eagerly anticipated events.

Here’s the Nosferatu trailer…….

Read More

2025-01-01 03:24