Nosferatu has been described as Robert Eggers’ “magnum opus” and a film that is “horrifically brilliant” in first reactions from critics who were able to see it early.
The movie is a remake of the iconic 1922 silent film that was one of the first to bring vampires to the silver screen with its tale of Count Orlok. The German film was an unauthorised adaptation of Dracula, so it changed certain aspects of the story like the names of the vampire and his prey â estate agent Thomas Hutter, and his wife Ellen.
In the 2024 take on the film, Bill SkarsgĂ„rd takes on the role of Orlok opposite Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Willem Dafoe. The film, which premieres on New Year’s Day in the UK, was hailed by critics, who shared their thoughts on social media.
Variety‘s Clayton Davis described the film as a stunning nightmare, writing: “Nosferatu is paralysing fear fully realised under the vision of writer and director Robert Eggers. Dude is just clearing his throat in cinema. He hasn’t yet begun to sing, and I’m digging all of his numbers.
“Bill SkarsgĂ„rd is menacing while Lily-Rose Depp is haunting. Every movie gets automatically upgraded simply because Willem Dafoe is in it. An artisan wet dream. Gorgeous and horrifically brilliant. I’m a fan.”
Meanwhile, Variety‘s Jazz Tangcay added that the film is “devilishly bloody and grotesque” and that it is a “superbly crafted film”, adding: “Lily-Rose Deppâs performance is thoroughly gripping. Robert Eggers delivers a perfect remake.”
Critic Courtney Howard said: “Robert Eggersâ #Nosferatu goes HARDER than any other horror film this year. Holy f**k. A gorgeous grotesquerie of dread-infused terrors & a divine dark delight. Bill SkarsgĂ„rdâs Count Orlok is pure sinister nightmare fuel. Lily Rose Depp & Nicholas Houltâs best work to date.”
Horror journalist Heather Wixson wrote: “I have loved everything from Robert Eggers thus far but #Nosferatu is his magnum opus. This one immediately imprinted itself in my heart & soul. I loved it so freaking much.”
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For The Playlist‘s Gregory Ellwood the film was a shoe-in for awards season, though it will likely have missed the cut off to be included in 2024’s Oscars. Ellwood wrote: “Nosferatu displays Robert Eggers visionary creativity. Lily Rose Depp is superb. Willem Dafoe is having a blast. A major below the line player. Could it crack [Best Picture]? Hmmmm. Rose Depp has a shot in packed supporting actress race.
“There is a shot at the end of Nosferatu which is incredibly inspired. Top notch filmmaking. Score, Production Design, Costumes, Make-up, and Cinematography, as always with Eggers films, masterful.”
Eggers has shared that his connection to Nosferatu started in childhood when he became fascinated by the original silent film, and he loved it so much that he even put on a school play adapting it.
The filmmaker told Vanity Fair: “I was really into the film as a kid. I saw a picture of Max Schreck in a book on vampires when I was like nine, and I tracked down the VHS with the help of my mum. I was really obsessed with it.
“I loved Dracula as well, and Bela Lugosi, and the Franics Ford Coppola version, and Christopher Lee. But there was something about the haunting quality of Nosferatu and the simple fairy tale of it, the enigma of Nosferatu, that was most attractive for me.”
Nosferatu premieres in the UK on New Years Day.
