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Film Review - Nosferatu (2024)

Writer's picture: Alex KelaruAlex Kelaru

Updated: Jan 31

Kelaru & Fulton rating: ★★★½

Runtime: 2 hrs 12 mins


 

I hadn’t realised how much I missed a good old-fashioned vampire film until Nosferatu (2025). While it doesn’t quite reach the operatic grandeur of Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula (1992), it offers a deeply satisfying, atmospheric take on the classic vampire tale—an homage to its cinematic roots and a compelling addition to the genre.


To understand the significance of this new adaptation, we need to trace the shadowy origins of Nosferatu. The original Nosferatu (1922), directed by F.W. Murnau, was a silent German expressionist masterpiece and an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Due to copyright issues, the filmmakers altered key elements: Count Dracula became Count Orlok, and London was replaced with the fictional Wisburg. Despite these changes, the narrative—an ancient vampire’s obsession with a young woman—remained intact. Stoker’s estate sued and won, with courts ordering all copies destroyed. Yet, surviving prints solidified the film’s cult status, ensuring its legacy as an enduring classic of early horror cinema.




Fast-forward to 2025, and director Robert Eggers brings Nosferatu back to the screen with a modern sensibility, while maintaining a reverence for its storied history. Eggers, known for The Witch and The Lighthouse, masterfully channels the eerie tone of the original, crafting a visually arresting experience that feels both timeless and contemporary. His decision to eschew flashy effects in favour of practical techniques, intricate lighting, and evocative cinematography grounds the film in a tactile, unsettling reality.


The story remains largely faithful to the original plot. Attorney Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) travels to the Carpathian Mountains to finalise a real estate deal with the mysterious Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Unbeknownst to him, Orlok is a centuries-old vampire who becomes obsessed with Thomas’s wife, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), after seeing her likeness in a portrait. The film’s horror unfolds as Orlok leaves a trail of death and plague in his wake, culminating in a chilling confrontation in the city of Wisburg.



Eggers’s vision of Nosferatu shines in its atmosphere. The decayed castle, the shadowy streets of Wisburg, and the plague-infested urban sprawl are rendered with meticulous care. Rats scurry through the gloom, disease lingers in the air, and every frame feels drenched in dread. The city itself becomes a character, embodying the despair and decay that follow Orlok’s arrival. Bill Skarsgård delivers a haunting performance as the vampire, his physicality both grotesque and hypnotic. Lily-Rose Depp brings vulnerability and quiet strength to Ellen, while Willem Dafoe, as Professor von Franz, provides a nuanced portrayal of a man caught between science and superstition.


Despite its strengths, the film falls short of fully revitalising the vampire genre. While visually stunning, the narrative remains too familiar. Eggers plays it safe, opting for fidelity to the original rather than exploring bolder thematic territory. Thomas Hutter feels underdeveloped, and Orlok’s character, though visually iconic, lacks depth. What if the story had ventured into unexplored territory, such as the aftermath of Orlok’s reunion with Ellen? Or perhaps delved deeper into the philosophical and moral struggles of von Franz? Such risks could have elevated Nosferatu beyond homage to reinvention.


That said, Nosferatu succeeds as a modern revival. It pays respectful tribute to its origins while offering enough visual flair to captivate contemporary audiences. Eggers’s meticulous craftsmanship and the cast’s strong performances ensure the film’s place as a powerful addition to vampire cinema. If nothing else, it reignites interest in the genre and invites audiences to revisit its rich history.


So, is Nosferatu the modern revival of a vampire classic? Yes—but with reservations. It’s an atmospheric and faithful homage that breathes new life into the legacy of its 1922 predecessor. Yet, it leaves the door open for a future adaptation to dare more boldly, sinking its teeth deeper into the potential of this timeless tale.



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