Robert Eggers delivers his best work yet with Nosferatu, which boasts a captivating story, stunning visuals, and incredible performances.
Robert Eggers is one of those directors that you just know is the creative mind behind the project when you watch because of their distinct style – which is my favorite kind of director. Nosferatu (2024) is his best work. I never thought anything would surpass his first film, The Witch, in my book, but here we are.
From the stunning visuals to the insanely talented cast to the captivating story, Nosferatu is easily one of the best films of the year. Several scenes send chills down my spine just by me thinking about them. It doesn’t take long for Eggers to deliver on that first shocking scare, which sets the tone for a movie that, despite its over-two-hour-long runtime, will have audiences on the edge of their seat until the credits roll.
Nosferatu is a dark and gothic story, that focuses heavily on the obsession between a haunted young woman, Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her (Bill Skarsgård). Nicholas Hoult plays Thomas Hutter, Ellen’s husband. He steals the entire first act of this film.
It is impossible not to fall in love with him. He is not only charming, but he is also so very clearly head over heels in love with Ellen, which makes him a complete joy to watch on screen. Hoult knows how to select the correct roles for himself. Even when a movie is not so great, he is fantastic. Thankfully, everything about Nosferatu is wonderful.
Depp shines in the first act as well but truly comes into her own by the time the second and third act roll around. It is impossible not to become captivated by her – obsessed even – as viewers start to agree with Count Orlok that there is something special about her. There are several times when, because of the dark story, she needs to deliver what can best be described as raw, guttural, screams, and moans. The way that she gives herself over in these moments is impressive. It feels as if she goes into an out-of-body experience.
It takes a while for Willem DaFoe’s Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz to show up, but once he does, there is no surprise that he steals part of the show as well. It is very clear that DaFoe is having the time of his life, as he often does.
If you were not told that Bill Skarsgård is playing the vampire, you would never know. Not only does he, of course, look nothing like himself, but his voice is like something I have never heard before. He gives this role his all, and it makes it that much better of a film because of it.
Nosferatu is chilling. There are no jump scares placed just for the sake of jump scares, but there are a lot of scenes that will have viewers hiding behind their hands and watching through their fingers. Inherently scary, there is a lot about the concept of a human-obsessed vampire that is enough to terrify just about anyone.
The cinematography and stylistic choices certainly have a hand in what makes this movie so scary. It is not black and white, but the dulled colors and almost grayscale look help to make it feel like a long-lost monster movie that was dug out of a basement somewhere. And I mean that in the best way possible.
With an all-star cast that brings their a-game, breathtaking visuals, a haunting score, and a truly terrifying vampire at the heart of it all, Robert Eggers has outdone himself with this one.
You do not want to miss Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu when it comes to theaters on December 25.
About Nosferatu (2024)
Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
Nosferatu (2024) comes to theaters on December 25.
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Robert Eggers delivers his best work yet with Nosferatu, which delivers a captivating story, stunning visuals, and incredible performances.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.
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