Written & Directed by Robert Eggers
Based on the script Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror by Henrik Galeen & the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker
Starring Bill SkarsgĂĄrd, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, & Willem Dafoe
Release Date: December 25, 2024
Running Time: 2hr 12min
Rating: R
In 1838, real estate agent Thomas Hutter (Hoult) lives in the German town of Wisburg with his wife, Ellen (Depp). Thomas is commissioned by his employer, Herr Knock (McBurney), to travel to the Carpathians in Transylvania to broker a sale of a decrepit manor in Wisburg with the reclusive Count Orlok (SkarsgĂĄrd). Ellen begs him not to go, having experienced terrifying visions, but Thomas is insistent on making a better life for them.
This being a horror movie, y’all can guess shit goes sideways pretty much immediately! I wouldn’t even call this a spoiler, seeing as this is a remake of 104 year old movie, which itself is based on a novel that is (as of this writing) 127 years old. [Mind you, I won’t be giving away any major spoilers.]
We all know the story of Dracula by now, he’s the most famous vampire of all time. Count Orlok is also quite famous, his silhouette alone (profile with long fingernails outstretched) has been parodied/homaged in hundreds (probably thousands) of things. The real question is: does this new version bring new blood (hehe) to a familiar story? Abso-fucking-lutely it does! This will definitely be as well remembered years after release like its predecessors.
This movie has so much going for it! The acting from every major cast member is phenomenal, especially the three leads. All of them should’ve been at the very least nominated for Academy Awards. Depp’s emotional and physical performance is a sight to behold, capable of being sympathetic and terrifying at the same time. She is destined for superstardom. I’ve liked Nicholas Hoult since About a Boy (2002) and he’s gotten even better since then.
SkarsgĂĄrd keeps proving his ability to excel in multiple genres. He is unrecognizable as the legendary vampire. This version of Orlok has the usual lanky body, long fingers and nails, and pointy ears, but made to look even more corpse like than you typically see in vampire stories.
The technical Academy Awards it’s been nominated for (cinematography, makeup, costumes, production design) are certainly deserved as they’re all used effectively. Personally I think the makeup and cinematography are the strongest nominees, with the transformation of Skarsgård as Orlok and the amazing look of the film. Robert Eggers has worked with cinematographer Jarin Blaschke on all his feature length movies so far, and it’s easy to see why. Seriously, see this movie!
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