Remaking a cinematic classic is no simple feat, especially when the original is as iconic as Nosferatu. Filmmakers must tread carefully to respect the source material while offering a fresh take. Robert Eggers, known for his visionary approach, appears to master this balance expertly. His adaptation of Nosferatu, which reiterates the themes of the original 1922 film inspired by Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, promises to engage viewers in profound ways.
The narrative follows Ellen, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, who desperately seeks a connection to alleviate her isolation. In a twist of fate, her entreaties awaken a sinister being who compels her to pledge eternal loyalty. Meanwhile, her husband, Thomas, embarks on a treacherous journey to the Carpathian Alps of Transylvania, tasked with selling a decrepit manor to the enigmatic Count Orlok, played by Bill Skarsgård. Ellen’s disturbed visions foresee death, but Thomas reassures her, departing for his mission while entrusting her care to his friend Friedrich Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his expectant wife, Anna (Emma Corrin).
What unfolds next is a harrowing descent into horror. The film’s atmosphere almost suffocates the audience, with lingering shots of Count Orlok’s ghastly, corpse-like form. His every deliberate move casts a palpable sense of dread, inviting viewers to the edge of their seats.
The Encounter: Count Orlok and Thomas
Upon arriving in a village near Count Orlok’s estate, Thomas encounters panicked locals warning him against meeting the Count, who is regarded as a harbinger of doom. Ignoring their warnings, he settles in for the night but is soon drawn to a grisly sight: villagers exhuming a body and impaling what they believe is a vampire. Frightened, Thomas watches in horror as the corpse bleeds unexpectedly.
The next day reveals an empty village, and Thomas’ horse is missing. Forced to approach the count’s castle on foot, he finds himself whisked away by a ghostly carriage. Upon meeting Orlok, a towering figure intent on hastening their transaction, Thomas is drawn into dark dealings. Orlok expresses curiosity about Thomas’ marriage, clutching the locket given to him by Ellen. Although Thomas yearns to leave, he is compelled to stay the night due to Orlok’s insistence about his ill health.
Awakening with bite marks adorning his chest, a weakened Thomas confronts Orlok in a coffin, preparing to strike. Before he can act, Orlok drains him of blood. Fleeing through the shadowy forest and dodging Orlok’s ravenous wolves, Thomas collapses at a church and is tended to by healing nuns. Meanwhile, Orlok sets sail towards Wisburg, bringing a deadly plague aboard, with dying rats littering the ship.
Despite his weakened state, Thomas presses onward to Wisburg, desperate to warn Ellen of the approaching danger.
Ellen’s Nightmares Resurface
Back in Wisburg, Ellen’s health deteriorates as Orlok’s haunting presence looms. She suffers from mysterious seizures, prompting concern from her physician, who suggests bringing in Albin Eberhart Von Franz (Willem Dafoe), a scientist shunned for his beliefs in the supernatural. Upon examination, Albin concludes that Ellen is under Orlok’s spell—a vampire that carries a plague.
As Orlok’s terror spreads throughout Wisburg, he manipulates Ellen’s dreams, asserting that Thomas has abandoned her for wealth. The creature’s malevolence escalates as he murders Anna and her children, demonstrating his resolve to capture Ellen. In a tense confrontation, Ellen incites Thomas to show their love, hoping to defy Orlok’s control.
Confrontation: Ellen and Orlok
Realizing Orlok can only be vanquished through a willing sacrifice, Ellen concocts a plan with Albin, opting for stealth as Thomas remains oblivious. Albin distracts Thomas while Ellen, donning her wedding dress, summons Orlok for the ritual. The two men venture further into Orlok’s chilling lair, discovering Herr Knock unexpectedly laid to rest within a coffin, culminating in tragedy.
Ellen ultimately lures Orlok to her chamber, willingly offering her blood in a desperate attempt to stall him until dawn. As the first light of daybreak spills into the room, Orlok succumbs to the sun’s wrath, leaving Ellen to make her ultimate sacrifice. With her life fading, she and Thomas share a poignant moment before she dies, her act freeing the town from the horrors of Orlok. Albin affirms that the curse of the Nosferatu has finally been broken.
For those interested in engaging with this latest adaptation of classic horror, Nosferatu is now available for viewing on VOD platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV+.
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