A film of pure artistry that implores its audience to embrace the darkness with open arms.
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Still, lingering shots of decrepit buildings and gaunt faces, soul-stirring orchestral tones, impassioned performances from a synergetic cast – these are few of many standout moving pieces of writer-director Robert Eggers’ latest directorial feature, Nosferatu, a.k.a one of the most atmospheric films we’ve experienced in recent times.
Eggers’ Nosferatu is a remake of the film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922), itself an unauthorised adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula (1897). It stars Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, and Lily-Rose Depp with a supporting cast that includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, and Willem Dafoe.
Skarsgård (best known for his role as Pennywise in 2017’s It) is extremely unrecognisable in both tone and appearance as the reclusive Count Orlok here. His deep tone and steady delivery of words leaves his audience fearful in his looming presence. Tethered on the other end of his unseen pull and force is the beautifully haunted Ellen Hutter (Depp who gives a most evocative performance for being the beating heart of the film). Contrasting the solemn energy is Dafoe’s von Franz, a controversial philosopher with deep knowledge of the occult. A character actor who’s perfected the art of concealing a mad man beneath a dignified character, Dafoe chews the scenery with much gusto that only a talent of his stature could pull off phrases like “The night demon has supped your good wife’s blood” and "I have seen things in this world that would make Isaac Newton crawl back into his mother's womb!” like it’s common speak.
Nosferatu doesn’t differ too much from its source material so anyone who’s familiar with the originals might already know what they’re getting themselves into. What does set Eggers' film apart from its predecessors is his undeniable stylistic vision. His anti-Midas touch of delivering films with muted colour grading adds to the ominousity of Nosferatu’s tale. For a film about a soul as black as night, you can expect Nosferatu to be a dark feature but not from being poorly lit. In fact, the impeccable use of shadow and minimal light sources creates intimately illuminated shots that will take your breath away.
The way in which cinematographer Jarin Blaschke’s camera lingers in moments not only captures exquisitely blocked and lighted shots but also creates foreboding tension that has audience waiting with bated breath in many a moment. Pair that with Robin Carolan’s haunting score and you have a top class atmospheric film. The quiet scenes of Nosferatu are as equally terrifying as the heart-pounding music that rings in your ears, constructing a soundscape that fills the room with dread.
Nosferatu is a film of pure artistry that implores its audience to embrace the darkness with open arms. The cinematic experience will leave you feeling in a trance-like state of awe (save for a few planted jump scares that might jolt you out of it).
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