NOSFERATU
FILM REVIEW
Director Robert Eggers takes us on a gothic and somber journey, accompanied by an impeccable cast
It has been over a century since director F.W. Murnau's feature film Nosferatu (1922) first came to light, and since then, many have attempted to revisit the universe of this classic and bring back its terrifying story. Director Robert Eggers (The Witch and The Lighthouse) takes us on a gothic and somber journey, accompanied by an impeccable cast.
The story is one we all know: In 1838 Germany, Thomas Hutter must travel to the mountains of Transylvania to sell an estate to Count Orlok. However, from the journey to his arrival, everything turns into a strange and sinister experience.
With the incredible Nicholas Hoult (Juror No. 2, The Menu) leading the film, alongside veterans like Willem Dafoe (Poor Things), horror icons such as Bill Skarsgård (Barbarian, It), and the magnetic Lily-Rose Depp, the film comes to life, orchestrated by a cast brimming with talent.
With a repulsive and macabre production design and a dark, dense atmosphere, Nosferatu (2024) presents itself as a carefully crafted work that enchants the audience from the very beginning. It's impossible to look away once Lily-Rose Depp appears, embodying Ellen Hutter. What stands out most about Nosferatu is its narrative and visual development, masterfully conveying a whirlwind of emotions and sensations through the characters' expressions and the interplay of light and shadow.
The crowning jewel of this film is, without a doubt, Nicholas Hoult’s exquisite performance. He masterfully embodies the deepest fears and desires of every character he brings to life. In this audiovisual work, he manages to transmit his desperation, pouring out his suffocation in every scene he appears in.
And while I firmly believe that Bill Skarsgård is always a magnificent choice for portraying villains, dark figures, or monsters—and seeing his name in a horror film is often the best guarantee to watch it—this time, it feels like the film didn’t fully tap into the immense talent the Swedish actor has to offer.
The film fully immerses us in its story, wrapping us in the magic that cinema should always provide. However, it falls just short—very close, yet not quite delivering a Nosferatu entirely worthy of the legacy it carries. While many have been quick to drive a stake into this new installment of the Nosferatu universe, it remains an extraordinary ode, crafted with care and passion.
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