Ellen Hutter stares into the darkness, her breath rushing as the figure of Count Orlok steps forward. His expression isn’t warm or welcoming; it’s cold, empty, and filled with something sinister. Hutter tries to move, but fear holds her in place.
When I first heard about Robert Eggers remaking the 1922 classic Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, and as someone who doesn’t enjoy watching old movies, I was excited to see a modern adaptation of the story. After watching, while I think the film has its strengths in stunning visuals, eerie atmosphere, and great acting, it does not quite stand out.
The movie tells the story of Count Orlok, a vampire, along with a relationship between a young woman named Ellen Hutter and her husband Thomas Hutter. When she was younger, Ellen begged the supernatural to help her with loneliness, in return, it led her to meet Count Orlok, which was the beginning of their “love affair.” Years later, one day, Thomas has to go on a business trip, knowing that his wife struggles being alone, he takes her to his friend, leaving her of his comfort for the first time in many moons.
One thing that stood out about Nosferatu is its portrayals of Orlok and Ellen. Their relationship is tense and unsettling. Some scenes were very intimate, to the point that they were uncomfortable, and I feel that their purpose is hard to pinpoint.
One of the movie’s biggest strengths is the acting. Bill Skarsgård perfectly captured the terrifying Orlok. Lily-Rose Depp gave Hutter a subtle yet unhinged nature, and Willem Dafoe, though not in a lead role, was captivating as always. The cast undoubtedly carried the movie.
The visuals and costumes were another highlight. The black-and-white style and shadowy settings make the film look stunning and eerie at the same time, which was on theme with its overall vibe. This design choice ties it back to the original silent film and gives it a chilling feel.
One of the film’s main issues was the very slow pacing. While it was visually stunning, the story sometimes feels too stretched out.
Senior Jose Ochoa, president of the #1 Movie Watchers Club on campus, said he liked the film overall, though he admitted, “The middle drags, but then it picks up at the end.”
While Nosferatu does not act like an artsy, award-oriented film, it is still not exactly for everyone. Its darker themes might turn off casual movie-goers. But, I’m sure that for fans of gothic horror, Nosferatu offers something distinctively different from typical scary movies.
If you enjoy horror films with strong acting and creative visuals, Nosferatu is worth a watch. Just be prepared for its slow pace and unsettling moments. It’s not perfect, but it is definitely an experience that is hard to forget.
