Nosferatu Film Review: Robert Eggers' Classical Story Interpretation

Lily Rose-Depp (Universal Pictures)

JAKARTA - The film Nosferatu, which was released in 2024, is the latest work by director Robert Eggers, which is known through various works with horror genres. In his latest film, Eggers tries to bring back the classic story by FW Murnau in 1922 as well as the story of the Dracula legend by Bram Stoker.

Worked on since 2015, Nosferatu has starred in well-known actors and actresses, ranging from Lily Rose-Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgard, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, Willem Dafoe, and others.

Nosphereatu tells the story of Germany in 1838, when an unconscious woman named Ellen (Lily Rose-Depp) is bound by a vampire named Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard). Ellen has had nightmares from childhood to adulthood.

Adult Ellen married Thomasester (Nicholas Hoult) and lives in Wisburg. Once upon a time, Thomas applied for a job at a firm and was asked by his boss, Herr Knock (Simon McBurney) to sell Gr\"unewaldap to someone named Orlok who lives alone.

Thomas was asked to collect his signature directly from Orlok. Ellen had banned him, but Thomas was determined to get gold for their finances. Then, Ellen asked her friend, Friedrich Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his wife, Anna (Emma Corrin) to look after Ellen.

Thomas was scared when he met Orlok and was even more eager to leave after several incidents occurred at his home. On the other hand, Ellen begins to feel her nightmares are getting more real but the people around her think it is not related to her mental state.

With its latest version, Robert Eggers tries to bring an update to this classic story of Orlok and Ellen. Not Eggers if it doesn't bring silence to speech throughout the story that produces feelings of anxiety throughout the watch.

The cinematographic side deserves thumbs up. Taking a special camera and point of view makes the audience get carried away as a figure behind Ellen. The jumpcare moment created by the villain is also able to digitize horror.

Naratively, the story is also built interestingly and consistently builds horror. The visuals are also extraordinary, reminiscent of the visuals of previous Eggers films that were no less quality.

In terms of acting, Lily Rose-Depp and Bill Skarsgard showed their ability to transform into someone who seemed magical. Rose-Depp explored Ellen's weak side, full of balanced lust with Skarsgard who became Count Orlok. Both added new achievements in their acting credit.

Likewise with Nicholas Hoult who shows persistence as Thomas. Playing a husband who is full of conflict, Hoult's eyes become an expression of what horror and emotion are.

The nosphericatu is a modern interpretation without forgetting its classic side, combined with Eggers' briefings and solid acting.

The film Nosferatu opens in Indonesian cinemas starting February 5 for the adult category.