I have been a huge fan of movies since I was a kid. My dad was a cinephile and could remember every theater in the Chicago area where he and my mom had seen films on dates throughout the city. Therefore, I was destined to love films.
My dad also started letting me watch more adult fare pretty young. I think the first was The Jerk where I distinctly remember going to the movie theater and my mom and dad debating if they could bring myself and my three-years-younger brother in to see it. Then, my dad bought a VCR sometime around 1976-77 and we were there renting videos as soon as the little video rental store opened near our house.
I minored in Film Theory & Criticism in college mostly because there were so many classes with names like “Film Theory & Criticism: The Movies of Martin Scorsese.” A class where you watched Scorsese movies, talked about them in depth, then wrote a paper about - I dunno- religious symbolism in Taxi Driver and before you knew it, you had the minor in Film Theory & Criticism.
So, there are movies I got to these days just to be entertained. Admittedly, my threshold is low, but if I get caught up in the story I generally give it a positive thumbs up. Sometimes, however, and it is so rare these days, a film comes along that triggers all of those classes I took. It hits me like a train and I sit in the seat thunderstruck. Everything about the movie is pure cinema and why I truly go to the movies - always hoping to find this again.
2024 ended with one such movie hitting theaters.
It is rare that a film emerges from the depths of cinema with such grace, dread, and beauty that it immediately redefines the genre. Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) is precisely that kind of film—an instant classic. This stunning reimagining of the 1922 silent film, directed by F.W. Murnau, is not just a remake. It is a visionary work that transcends its roots, pushing the boundaries of horror, art, and filmmaking. From its gripping story to its immersive sound design, set design, performances, and costumes, this film is a tour de force in every sense of the word. It is, without question, one of the best films of 2024, and dare I say, one of my favorite movies of all time.
The Story: A Timeless Horror Reborn
Nosferatu was originally done as a now-classic silent movie directed by FW Murnau and it is a staple of German Expressionism. It is a terrifying movie and the actor Max Shreck as Count Orlock is one of the greatest movie monsters of all time. However, Murnau wanted to tell the story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but didn’t want to buy the rights. So, he took some of the basics of that classic novel, changed it, condensed it, and then changed all the names. From what I understand, he and the film company still got sued by Stoker’s people, but I am not 100% sure on that.
The great Robert Eggers, who has been making a huge name for himself and directed the terrifying tale The Witch, has remade it for 2024. He credits Draculs, but it is really an adaptation of that 1922 film
At its core, Nosferatu is a tale that has endured for nearly a century, and Eggers understands the timeless nature of this eerie story. The film follows the familiar narrative of the 1922 original: the arrival of the sinister Count Orlok (played hauntingly by Bill Skarsgard) to a small town in Germany, where he sets his sights on the beautiful and unsuspecting Ellen (played by Lily Rose Depp). However, Eggers breathes new life into this well-trodden tale, expanding its emotional depth, character arcs, and thematic weight. This is no longer just a horror story about a vampire stalking his prey; it is a nuanced meditation on obsession, death, and the cost of immortality.
Eggers’ script is a masterclass in subtlety and atmosphere. The pacing is slow, deliberate, and unrelenting, building an overwhelming sense of dread that permeates every scene. The film’s tension is not merely built through jump scares or cheap thrills, but through an evolving psychological horror that digs deep into the soul of each character. The stakes are made profoundly personal, particularly for Ellen, whose own internal battle becomes just as chilling as Orlok’s external menace. The slow-burn dread that Eggers cultivates is not for the faint of heart, but it is precisely what makes the film so deeply rewarding.
In the original Nosferatu, Count Orlok is a terrifying but somewhat distant figure, but Eggers deepens the character’s complexity. Bill Skarsgard, who portrays the iconic vampire, brings a chilling and almost tragic humanity to the role. The way he moves through the world of Nosferatu is simultaneously otherworldly and deeply grounded. He reportedly spent months working with an opera singer to expand the low register of his voice to create the voice of Count Orlock. The make up they add make him unrecognizable. He is not a glamorous vampire in any way, shape or form. However, somehow, through all of that make up, Skarsgard creates a powerful performance and a powerful character.
Sound Design: A Symphony of Dread
This is a movie where I noticed how powerful the sound design was. There is a scene where Nicholas Hoult, playing Thomas Hutter, is waiting for a carriage that will take him to Orlock’s castle. Not only is the scene framed beautifully, but at first, you can’t tell what’s coming down the lane for him. Instead, you hear something deep that vibrates the theater seats. Eventually, powerful black horses and the carriage some into view, but it is the sound that adds to the disturbing nature to it all.
The sound design in Nosferatu is nothing short of extraordinary. One of the first things that strike you when you watch the film is the utter lack of comfort that it provides. Every creak, every whisper, and every rustle in the background seems amplified to the point where even the smallest noise feels like a harbinger of doom. This sense of heightened awareness immerses the viewer fully in the world of the film, where silence is never truly silence.
The sound design, in conjunction with the original score composed by the brilliant Robin Carolan, elevates Nosferatu to a whole new level. The music is not merely a backdrop; it becomes a character in itself, breathing life into the atmospheric tension that permeates the film. The sharp, jagged notes in the score, particularly during moments of suspense, create an emotional urgency that elevates the tension perfectly.
Equally impressive is how Eggers plays with silence. Just as much as sound is used to create unease, there are moments when the absence of noise becomes even more powerful. When Orlok stalks his prey, the sound is muffled or absent altogether, creating an almost suffocating atmosphere where the viewer is left with nothing but the mounting sense of dread. These moments, often accompanied by long, lingering shots of the nightmarish figures in the shadows, are terrifying not because of what we hear, but because of what we don’t hear.
Set Design: A Gothic Masterpiece
Visually, Nosferatu is a triumph of set design. Eggers’ meticulous attention to detail in crafting every scene is awe-inspiring. The film is set in a decaying, eerie world where shadows stretch long across the cobblestone streets, and the architecture itself feels alive with menace. The decrepit buildings, the fog-drenched forests, and the abandoned estates all combine to create a world that feels like it’s on the brink of collapse. It is a place where light and darkness coexist in an uneasy, almost unnatural balance, which mirrors the themes of the film itself.
Eggers’ decision to shoot the film on location in the Czech Republic, with its vast, haunting landscapes and centuries-old buildings, adds an air of authenticity and historical weight to the film. Every frame is meticulously composed, with an almost painterly quality to it. The use of shadows and light in particular is striking—Eggers makes masterful use of chiaroscuro, casting dark, menacing shapes across the landscape that seem to possess a life of their own. The way light filters through windows, creating jagged shapes on the walls, speaks volumes about the psychological undercurrents running through the film.
The set pieces themselves are nothing short of spectacular. The interiors of Orlok’s castle are foreboding and otherworldly, filled with unsettling details, but usually shrouded in shadows so things reach out of the darkness to add to the creepiness. The mise en scène is dripping with symbolism, whether it’s the ever-present shadows that seem to take on a life of their own or the strange, almost spectral presence of the characters within these spaces. The design of Orlok’s lair, in particular, stands as one of the most iconic, chilling settings in modern cinema.
Costumes: A Sinister Beauty
The costumes in Nosferatu deserve special mention for their contribution to the film’s atmosphere. Each costume is more than just a visual element—it’s a storytelling device that helps define the characters and their inner struggles. Lily Rose Depp’s portrayal of Ellen is accentuated by her ethereal, delicate costumes that make her seem both vulnerable and otherworldly. The long, flowing dresses she wears seem to trap her in a world that she cannot escape, much like the claustrophobic horror of her situation. And, no vampire story is complete without diaphanous sleeping gowns, which Depp also wears throughout the movie.
Skarsgard’s Count Orlok is, of course, the standout in terms of costume design. His tattered, dark garments emphasize his otherworldly nature, while the intricate prosthetics used to transform him into the vampire king are nothing short of extraordinary. Orlok’s spindly fingers, pointed ears, and gaunt face make him appear as though he is not quite part of the world of the living, yet not entirely part of the world of the dead. This unsettling combination makes his presence in every scene feel like a waking nightmare.
Skarsgard here is not the bald figure from the original. He is a rotting corpse. Skinny, but powerful. Rotting away, needing blood just to stay alive. Wearing layers of clothes that give him a regal feel and vibe that would be accurate to his station as a count. He also wears a long bushy mustache that would be period accurate, as well. He is lost in this costume and it is a brilliant performance.
The attention to detail in every piece of clothing and accessory enhances the overall sense of immersion, making Nosferatu not only a film to watch but one to experience on a deeply visceral level.
Acting: A Masterclass of Performances
The performances in Nosferatu are absolutely phenomenal. Lily Rose Depp, as Ellen, delivers a heartbreaking and poignant performance that transcends the role of a damsel in distress. She is not just a passive figure to be saved; she is a fully realized character whose inner turmoil becomes just as gripping as the supernatural horror surrounding her. Depp imbues Ellen with a quiet strength and vulnerability that makes her an incredibly sympathetic and relatable protagonist. She reached out, during a troubled childhood, asking for a friend and it turns out what reached back out to her was a profound evil.
Skarsgard’s portrayal of Count Orlok is perhaps the finest of his career and he has already played a monster with Pennywise the Dancing Clown in IT. His performance is a masterclass in subtlety and restraint. His movements are slow, deliberate, and alien, yet there is an undeniable humanity beneath the monstrous exterior. Skarsgard has stated it was difficult to “shake off the demon” with this one as he immersed himself so completely
The supporting cast, including the likes of Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter, also delivers a solid performances that add further weight to the narrative. Willem Dafoe is the Van Helsing-type character here and is stellar as always. In the supporting roles Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Simon Mc Burney, and Ralph Ineson also turn in amazing performances that make this world feel fully realized and three-dimensional
Conclusion: A Cinematic Triumph
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) is a work of cinematic art that will be remembered for years to come. From its hauntingly beautiful story to its immersive sound design, stunning set pieces, intricate costumes, and powerhouse performances, every element of the film works together to create an experience that is as terrifying as it is mesmerizing. Eggers has crafted something truly special, a film that not only honors the legacy of the original Nosferatu but also reimagines it for a new generation. This is a film that transcends its genre, leaving a lasting impact on anyone who watches it.
In a year filled with remarkable films, Nosferatu stands as one of the best movies of 2024 and is, without a doubt, one of my favorite films of all time and definitely one of my favorites of 2024. It is a stunning achievement in filmmaking—one that proves, once again, that Robert Eggers is one of the most exciting directors working today.
If you haven’t yet seen Nosferatu, do yourself a favor and experience this masterpiece. It is a film that will haunt you long after the credits roll, and it will forever change the way you look at horror cinema. It is a true testament to the power of storytelling, sound, and imagery—and a shining example of the beauty that can be found in the darkness.
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