It’s no secret that we live in an age where remakes are almost constantly at the theater. That being said, a movie should probably not be remade unless the filmmaker has something new to say with the material. A recent remake to hit the big screen is Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, adapted from the original 1922 film. Does it live up to the spookiness of the cinema classic, or will it live in its shadow forever? Let’s peer into the darkness to find out.

The Good

Nosferatu is gorgeously filmed. The cinematography throughout the movie is simply incredible. This is especially due to the use of shadows. It’s like there’s a shadow lurking over the film itself. It’s all filmed in a way to create a sense of dread throughout the entirety of the story, even when Count Orlok isn’t on screen. The cinematography makes everything feel dreary and even disgusting, and it works so well for the movie. Everything is lit perfectly to add an air of mystery to the Count Orlok character and to the story itself. It’s a true accomplishment in cinematography and directing.

Adding to how spectacular the film looks is the traditional effects and makeup. Bill Skarsgard is completely unrecognizable as Count Orlok, who looks ancient, rotting, and as gross as an old undead being should look. The rashes and wounds caused by the plague look just as excellent. This Oscar-caliber makeup and effects help to make this an especially immersive experience.

This immersion is also created by the sets and costumes. Both are organic to the time period, transporting audiences to the 1800s. It all looks gorgeous and adds to the twisted nature of the film while also looking lifelike. Nothing feels out of place, as if the movie itself wasn’t made today. Everything that adds to the look of the movie is insanely impressive.

The sound design is also top-notch. The vampire slurping up blood makes a noise that is disturbing in every sense of the word – perfect for such an unsettling movie. When Count Orlok speaks, it’s like the movie itself is speaking. The audio for his speech is reminiscent of Candyman with how deep, echoey, and haunting it is. It’s clear that the sound department put a lot of love into creating an especially creepy atmosphere.

 There are several performances that shine here. Lily-Rose Depp and Nicolas Hoult both bring a lot of emotion to their roles, with Depp going an extra mile with fantastic body acting while twisting and convulsing as if she was actually cursed. Bill Skarsgard gives an incredibly eerie performance as the iconic Count Orlok, proving to be a worthy successor of Max Schreck. Willem Dafoe is just as extra as one would hope, but he doesn’t feel out of place in the movie. His character’s introduction even changes the film’s tone slightly, upping the entertainment the movie has to offer.

The character of Count Orlok feels like an unstoppable, all-encompassing threat despite him being a single character. He’s actually scary, which makes the movie itself scary. This is a horror villain done right.

The script is filled with brilliant themes regarding heavy topics. For instance, it’s obviously a movie about the wealthy and powerful literally preying on the working class. There’s also the angle that Orlok represents trauma for Depp’s character, Ellen, after the abuse she experienced when she was younger. It’s overall a rather powerful film.

The Bad

2024’s Nosferatu may feel a tad slow for some modern audiences. While there is suspense and eeriness looming over the entire movie, things do move rather slowly. That being said, the slow pacing is intentional. It’s all deliberate to build intrigue as everything unfolds. It’s a slow burn that works really well, but it’s understandable to see some dislike the film for that reason. It’s not everyone’s bag of tea.

The movie is far from the most unique take on the story, taking inspiration from both the original Dracula novel and the 1922 Nosferatu film. It doesn’t really do much that feels brand new. However, it is a fantastic take on the source material that serves as a love letter to it. For those who haven’t experienced any version of this story before, this is genuinely a great one to start with.

Conclusion

Nosferatu is a haunting revisit to a classic tale, and another example of how great of a filmmaker Robert Eggers is. It’s scary, emotional, and entertaining. It’s phenomenally well shot, and the makeup on Count Orlock is incredible. For those looking for a modern movie with a classic feel, look no further than 2024’s Nosferatu.

Rating: 10/10

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