Nosferatu (2024): A Truly Monstrous Monster

Abstract

Since writer/director Robert Eggers chooses to follow the same narrative trajectory as previous Nosferatu films, people reading this review might well ask, “Why do I need to see this new version? What does it do that previous adaptations did not?” My answer is that the biggest changes are that Eggers focuses on Ellen’s motivation to sacrifice herself to a creature so obviously evil and that Eggers also establishes the full extent of Orlok’s evil. Not only is he a creature of consummate evil, he is also a moldering dead body to whom Ellen is nonetheless sexually responsive. As a result, Nosferatu provides its actors (Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlok, and Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter) with rich and complex roles. In addition, masterful cinematography, a haunting musical score, and lavish period costumes make it a pleasure to watch. But don’t take my word for it. Though it did not win any of them, the film received Academy Award nominations for production design, best makeup and hairstyle, cinematography, and costume design, not to mention similar nominations by BAFTA.