Nosferatu (2024)
Vampires have always been about sex, but they have not always been sexy.
Stats
Released: December 25, 2024
Directed by: Robert Eggers
Written by: Robert Eggers
Starring: Lily Rose Depp (Ellen Hutter), Nicholas Holt (Thomas Hutter), Bill Skarsgard (Count Orlok)
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Story
Based on the 1922 silent film of the same name, and inspired by Stoker’s Dracula, Nosferatu follows newlyweds Ellen and Thomas Hutter in their battle against the ancient vampire Count Orlok.
As a lonely young girl, Ellen called out for a friend, and the vampire answered. She pledged herself to him, but broke her vow by marrying Thomas. Now the vampire seeks to dissolve their marriage and claim Ellen for his own unholy desires.
My Notes
This was certainly an Eggars film, but fortunately more in the style of The Witch than The Lighthouse. The aesthetic was perfect—moving seamlessly from black and white to muted color and candlelight pallets.
The cast was flawless, as ever with Eggars. They all clearly respected and absorbed his writing, bringing his fairy tale to life without making it farcical. It’s strange watching them do press interviews. Now that every publication needs to be off-the-wall, this cast of serious, quiet actors is forced to balance the dignity of their work with the cheeky questions of social media influencers.
Beyond the cinematography, the sets, the costumes, and the actors, you’ll walk away from this movie thinking about sex and bodily fluids. Thinking of young girls being told they’re dirty for exploring their own bodies. Thinking of lonely teens finding the attention of elders, who won’t let them go.
Thinking of young men put in impossible positions to provide for their families. Thinking of women who must find different sorts of power to win at a game made by men. Thinking of Beauty and the Beast. Thinking of how modern vampire lore has removed their sepulchre origins.
Imagining the difference between making love to a corpse and a vampire. Pondering the inherent intimacy in a vampire biting, sucking, pulling your life from your body. Imagining the titter of discomfort in the theater when the naked beast is shown drinking from a man.
Wondering at Eggar’s interest in the manifestations of occultism across the centuries. At his interest in the inherent mystery and magic of women—especially pubescent or newly married women. Imagining the wonder he sees in them. But “power” would be a better word than wonder.