Rating: ★★½☆☆ (2.5/5 Stars)
Released 12-25-2024
Watched 01-31-2025
Reviewed 02-01-2025
Rented from Apple+
"I have seen things in this world that would make Isaac Newton crawl back into his mother's womb! We are not so enlightened as we are blinded by the gaseous light of science. I have wrestled with the Devil as Jacob wrestled the Angel in Penuel, and I tell you that if we are to tame darkness, we must first face that it exists!"
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) arrives with the weight of history on its shoulders, attempting to pay homage to the silent 1922 classic while bringing a fresh vision to the screen. With an atmospheric visual style and a committed cast, this gothic horror film certainly looks the part. However, while it nails the eerie aesthetic, its execution leaves much to be desired. Plagued by a meandering middle act, an occasionally confusing storyline, and some gratuitous grotesqueness, Nosferatu ultimately fails to add anything new to the legend of Count Orlok.
This adaptation follows the familiar premise: a young man, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), travels to a distant land to finalize a real estate deal with the reclusive Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), only to uncover the horrifying truth about his host. Orlok's fascination with Hutter’s wife, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), leads to a series of eerie events that spell doom for all involved. The cast delivers strong performances, with Skarsgård embodying the vampire with a suitably menacing physicality. Depp also brings a haunted vulnerability to Ellen, but even their efforts can't breathe life into the film's sluggish pacing.
Eggers’ signature attention to period detail is on full display, crafting a world drenched in shadow and dread. The cinematography, with its striking chiaroscuro lighting, makes for some truly haunting imagery. However, while the film looks stunning, it often sacrifices narrative momentum for the atmosphere. The middle section drags considerably, and instead of heightening tension, the film loses steam. The slow-burn approach that worked well in Eggers’ The Witch and The Lighthouse feels less effective here, making certain stretches feel bloated rather than suspenseful.
Another issue is the film’s handling of its source material. Rather than reinventing or expanding upon Nosferatu’s legacy, this version feels like a retread of familiar ground. There are some unsettling moments and grotesque visuals that push the horror elements, but they come across as more shocking than truly terrifying. Some sequences feel unnecessarily revolting, veering into body horror territory that doesn’t always serve the story. The film also leaves some narrative elements murky, making it difficult to follow certain character motivations or developments.
For die-hard fans of classic vampire horror, Nosferatu may still be worth watching for its chilling aesthetics and period-accurate craftsmanship. However, for casual audiences or those looking for a fresh take on the tale, there isn’t much here beyond surface-level creepiness. While Eggers deserves credit for his dedication to the gothic horror tradition, this film ultimately fails to justify its own existence beyond being a stylish, if sluggish, tribute.
If you love atmospheric horror, you may appreciate the effort. Otherwise, this one is best left to the shadows.
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