I had the opportunity to see Nosferatu (2024) early, and it did not disappoint! I skipped the trailers as usual but could not stay completely in a bubble and I kept hearing great things about the movie. However, I kept my expectations grounded. On the one hand, I am a huge fan of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I read the book as a teen and will partake in any adaptation I get my hands on. I reread (listen to the audiobook) the novel periodically. So, I would be in the front row if we received a new reimagining every 5 years.
On the other hand, I have not been the biggest fan of Robert Eggers’ films. I walked out of The Witch (2015) in the theater (those terrible twins sent me over the edge!). I was lukewarm on The Lighthouse (2019) and thought The Northman (2022) was fine. Eggers excels in all of the technical aspects of filmmaking. However, I’ve always had a minimal investment in the stories he chooses to tell. They are usually historical time capsules, and I am very selective about which periods I’d like to revisit. While I appreciate his technical mastery, his films do not usually thrill me…until Nosferatu.
Robert Eggers put his talents into a story I already loved, and it was an EXPERIENCE. With captivating performances (speckled with a surprising amount of humor), beautiful set pieces, attention to historical detail, and incredible camera work, Nosferatu found a way to steal the show so late in the year! I enthusiastically recommend catching this in theaters to experience it with a crowd. Now, let’s get into the deets!
A Lively Cast
I already had high expectations for the performances. Robert Eggers’ movies are always well-acted, and the cast was STACKED. Ralph Ineson, who could narrate ANYTHING, entered the chat. Nicholas Hoult couldn’t resist being in distress at the hands of a vampire again. Bill “Scary-as-hell” Skarsgård signed up for the creature, which was enough to get me in the seat. A wild Willem Dafoe appears, which is a guaranteed stellar performance. The cast pulls together to transport the audience to the 1800s and keep us there until the credits roll. There was also a surprising amount of humor in Nosferatu. I had no expectations of laughing during a Robert Eggers film because they usually lean on the serious side. Yet, I was giggling throughout the movie. The comedy was baked into the script, paired with some hilarious line deliveries (they felt intentional).
A Feast For the Eyes
Nosferatu gives us stunning visuals and creative use of shadow, which taps into German expressionism. The incorporation of shadows was expected because it was a main feature of the original 1922 film. We go from one beautiful set piece to another, seeing many in darkness or dimly lit. We sweep over cities with shadows clawing over them (I hope you like claw shadows). Also, we see a lot of dark silhouettes backlit by fire or moonlight. The daytime scenes highlighted fantastic wardrobe pieces.
While there was plenty of beauty, Nosferatu amped up the violence and body count. The number of mice in this film is diabolical! I’m not sure when I will be able to forgive him (or Damien Leone: you know what you did!). However, I will give this film a little grace, because it was HOT. I wasn’t prepared to see so many nipples (I’m not complaining), which counts as another reason to see the film. Check it out!
Check out Jazz’s Top 10 Movies of 2024 too!
