NOSFERATU review by Mark Walters – Robert Eggers delivers an impressive new take on classic horror

NOSFERATU review by Mark Walters – Robert Eggers delivers an impressive new take on classic horror

Vampire lore is something that Hollywood has taken a great interest in for many years, but the new film NOSFERATU from critically-acclaimed director Robert Eggers feels like a throwback to the classic days of cinema. The story is one that has been tackled before by other filmmakers, but Eggers really has a wonderful atmospheric feel to all of his films, and this new one is absolutely no exception. Set in the 1800s and following the story of the Hutters, a couple played by Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult, the film explores Thomas Hutter’s visit to the mysterious count Orlok in his shadowy German castle. Hutter thinks he’s going there to have Orlo sign off on business matters, but Orlok’s motives are actually much more sinister and manipulative. In fact, the concept of manipulation flows heavy in this new take on the story – while the horror elements are always prevalent, there is an unsettling sense of dread throughout the film that will keep the audiences riveted and very disturbed. Depp as Ellen Hutter is also entralled, somewhat hypnotized by Orlok, even against her own will. There’s also a great turn by Willem Defoe as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz, a man who seems to be the only one who knows how to deal with this impending threat. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Simon McBurney and Ralph Ineson round out the exceptional cast, all of who appeared to be giving us 110%.

A bulk of the film is exceptionally done, with almost every single frame looking like something that would hang it in a macabre museum. Eggers really knows how to stage the action here, and make a movie that feels like the classic days of horror Cinema. I wanted so badly to be able to walk away from this film saying that it was a daring and extremely effective new take on the popular genre, but sadly the last 20 minutes or so just doesn’t quite stick the landing. In fact, the final moments feel rather anti-climactic, and probably won’t be very satisfying for most audiences. That’s not to say that this new NOSFERATU isn’t worth a look, it could easily be considered one of Eggers’ best films so far, it just doesn’t quite end with the punch that you hope it would.

The performances are really what sells this production, and everyone is doing a wonderful job, from Lily-Rose Depp to Nicolas Hoult (both superb and haunting) to the chameleon-like Bill Skarsgård, who has well-proven himself to be capable when it comes to these dark and sinister roles. I also love seeing Willem Dafoe playing the manic professor who seems to have all the answers, even if he’s rarely convincing to those around him. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is considerably better here than what most saw in his KRAVEN movie (fun fact, I saw KRAVEN and NOSFERATU a day apart), and Emma Corrin as his wife does a really good job selling the dread and horror of the story – they play close friends of the main couple, and are a stark reminder that no one is safe from Orlok’s evil. Just about everyone in this movie is turning in exceptional work that deserves to be seen, and the film itself is a true work of beauty, I just wish that it ended with a little bit more effective finale.

Fans of classic horror movies, particularly the Hammer films, or even some of the classic Universal Monsters productions will likely appreciate how well-crafted this new take on NOSFERATU is, and it is definitely a step in the right direction for modern horror audiences. Whatever it gets wrong is fairly forgivable, considering how much it gets very, very right.

NOSFERATU opens December 25, 2024

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About the Author

Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff.