One of cinema’s most iconic vampires emerges from the coffin once again. Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” has finally made its debut in the film press, and early reactions have described the horror drama as a “knockout” with impeccable craftsmanship.
A re-imagining of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 German Expressionist silent film, Nosferatu, starring Lily-Rose Depp as a young woman who becomes the object of desire of terrifying vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Eggers’ supporting cast includes Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, and Willem Dafoe. The director wrote the script for the film “Nosferatu” himself.
Variety Awards Editor Clayton Davis Named The film is “horrifically brilliant”, saying that Depp is “painful” and Skarsgård is “dangerous”.
Endeavor senior film critic David Ehrlich Highlight all The sweaty “squirming” in the movie, perhaps to an extreme degree. He meant it as a compliment.
Variety’s senior craftsman editor Jazz Tangcay gushed over the film, saying that Eggers had delivered a “perfect remake.”
The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood had awards on his mind after the screening, saying the film is a “major player below the line.” Interestingly, he confirmed the view that Depp has a chance of being nominated in the supporting actress race – a distinction from the lead role that is notable given Depp’s high billing.
“If you weren’t afraid of mice before you saw this movie, you will be now,” said Los Angeles Film Critics Association member and Variety contributor Courtney Howard, in addition to noting that it “goes harder than any other horror film this year.”
Gizmodo and io9 reporter Germain Lussier gave the caveat that the film is “not my favorite Eggers film,” but still considers the feature a “knockout” with “a hint of diabolical humor.”
Eggers has long been an outspoken fan of Murnau’s film, and remaking it was a passion project for the director, whose directorial efforts to date include The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman.
“It was an indie horror film in its day, a little rough around the edges, but it’s one of the greatest, scariest films ever made,” Robert Eggers once told Shudder about Nosferatu. “The newly restored color versions are really impressive, but I still prefer the poor black-and-white versions made from scraps of 16mm prints. These dark versions have a strange mystery to them and helped build the myth that Max Schreck is a real vampire.”
“Nosferatu” opens in theaters December 25 through Focus Features.
