Nosferatu (2024) spoiler free review
“Succumb to the darkness” Robert Eggers’s Nosferatu (2024) is an American gothic horror film remaking the 1922 silent film of the same name, which was itself an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula. The film had its world premiere on December 2, 2024 in Berlin, Germany, and was released on December 25, 2024 in the United States by Focus Features.
In the 1830s, estate agent Thomas Hutter travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok, a prospective client. In his absence, Hutter’s new bride, Ellen, is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich and Anna Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that’s far beyond her control.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok, Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter, Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding, Emma Corrin as Anna Harding, Willem Dafoe as Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz, Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers, and Simon McBurney as Herr Knock.
After a long wait, Robert Eggers’ latest film has hit the big screen. With a cast led by Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult, this new remake of Nosferatu exceeds expectations and deepens the dark and psychological aspect of the story, becoming a gothic horror masterpiece.
Skarsgård’s acting is impeccable, his physical transformation stripping him of any identifiable features. Prosthetic makeup and his voice modified thanks to his training with Icelandic opera singer Ásgerður Júníusdóttir brings Count Orlok to life in a convincing and chilling way. On the other hand, Rose Depp’s work exceeds expectations conveying the melancholy and sorrow of her character without having to say a word giving her best performance to date. She puts her heart and soul into her character, making her possession scenes, which were done without CGI, seen so real that they may cause more than one person to feel genuinely scared.
Eggers’ attention to detail pays off in giving us a version of this story that is as true to the era in which it is set as possible. From the costumes to the dialogue, nothing seems out of place. The cinematography and visuals are mesmerizing and even when there are scenes in the dark, you can still see what is happening. Combining these elements with the soundtrack creates a terrifying atmosphere that envelops you and holds you prisoner until the credits roll.
Instead of just adapting the story we already know, Eggers delves into the emotional and psychological aspect of this story and turns it into a character study, making it feel fresh and not just like a copy of the others. Nosferatu is a gothic horror masterpiece and an experience that you should not miss in the cinema that closes the year on a high note.