First Official Look at Bill Skarsgard’s Orlok in Nosferatu Video After $135 Million Box Office Success

The first official glimpse of Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok in Nosferatu has emerged, providing a haunting preview of Robert Eggers’ innovative adaptation of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 horror classic. This eagerly awaited reveal follows the film’s remarkable success, grossing $135 million worldwide since its debut on Christmas Day. Skarsgård stars as the menacing Count Orlok, who terrorizes a seaside village after pursuing Ellen Hutter (played by Lily-Rose Depp), with her husband Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) unknowingly facilitating Orlok’s arrival by selling him a house.

A video from Nosferatu‘s official account on X/Twitter showcases Skarsgård’s unsettling transformation. The footage reveals Orlok’s eerie features—features such as decayed skin, sunken eyes, and long nails—as he lurks in the gloom of his gothic residence, relentlessly pursuing the tormented Ellen. Skarsgård, who previously portrayed the infamous Pennywise in Andrés Muschietti’s adaptation of It, stated that Nosferatu features “the scariest performance” of his career. Check out the full video below:

The pinnacle of horror characters. Bill Skarsgârd on the preparation that went into his Orlok transformation, “the scariest performance of [his] career.”pic.twitter.com/fb82GumjeS — Nosferatu (@NosferatuFilm) January 13, 2025

Significance of Nosferatu’s First Look at Orlok

Skarsgård’s Orlok: A Redefinition of a Horror Icon

Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok in Nosferatu

Count Orlok opening his eyes in Nosferatu

Eggers’ Nosferatu has garnered acclaim for its grotesque yet captivating reimagining of the classic vampire narrative. Throughout the film’s promotional efforts, Orlok’s physical form was largely concealed, allowing only his resonating and ethereal voice to surface. The latest footage starkly illustrates that Skarsgård’s portrayal is a manifestation of decay and desolation. Infused with an aristocratic quality, Count Orlok exudes a chilling yet compelling authority. As he infiltrates Ellen’s nightmares and stalks Thomas from the shadowy depths of his castle, both characters are spellbound by Orlok’s menacing charisma.

With Eggers’ distinctive atmospheric vision and a deep-rooted appreciation for folkloric horror, Nosferatu revitalizes its timeless themes with a contemporary edge. Notably, Orlok’s elongated nails serve as a nod to Max Schreck’s original depiction in Murnau’s iconic film, connecting the character to its cinematic ancestry, which also includes Werner Herzog’s 1979 version of Nosferatu. Nevertheless, Skarsgård’s Orlok reinvents this legacy with his rotting skin and distinctive mustache, portraying a fresh angle on the vampire’s parasitic allure.

Our Perspective on Nosferatu’s First Look at Orlok

A Must-Watch Experience

Lily-Rose Depp looking terrified in Nosferatu

Eggers’ interpretation of Nosferatu vividly portrays the grotesque and unsettling decay of an ageless predator. Skarsgård’s commitment to embodying Count Orlok, from extensive makeup sessions to mastering the commanding voice, establishes a daring new paradigm within the gothic horror genre. The newly unveiled footage encapsulates the film’s unsettling themes and atmospheric brilliance, showcasing the haunting experience Eggers has passionately crafted. For lovers of gothic horror and revitalized classics, Nosferatu promises to be an enthralling and frightening adventure that lingers in memory long after the credits roll.

Source: Nosferatu/X/Twitter

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