Robert Eggers’ long-anticipated Nosferatu proves to be another striking entry in the director’s growing repertoire. While it may not reach the towering heights of his earlier works like The Lighthouse or The Witch, Eggers’ fourth feature-length film is a visually intoxicating journey that honours its 1922 namesake while breathing new, sinister life into the legend.

From the moment the first frame flickers on screen, it’s evident that Eggers holds the original Nosferatu close to his heart. The film is awash with nods to F.W. Murnau’s silent classic, both in its reverence for German Expressionism and its stark, almost otherworldly aesthetic. Shadows and light clash in every frame, creating a chiaroscuro effect that feels like a love letter to the era of silent cinema. The jagged, angular sets—almost living entities in their starkness—slice through the film, their ominous presence as much a character as any in the story.

The performances elevate Nosferatu beyond mere homage. Willem Dafoe, no stranger to transforming himself for a role, brings a haunted gravitas to his character, Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz, while Lily-Rose Depp infuses her performance as Ellen Hutter with both fragility and strength, commanding the screen with grace. Bill Skarsgård, stepping into the titular role, once again demonstrates his ability to embody grotesque creatures with a chilling ease. His portrayal of the vampiric Count Orlok is unsettling and mesmerising, a fusion of menace and melancholy that lingers with you as you leave the cinema.

Sound design plays a pivotal role in Eggers’ vision. Breath—both its presence and absence—becomes a motif that underscores the film’s themes. The rasping, laboured exhalations of plague-stricken Londoners weave into the score, amplifying the suffocating dread that permeates the story. This auditory detail enriches the narrative, turning something as mundane as breathing into a symbol of survival and decay.

However, the film is not without its flaws. The storyline, while serviceable, lacks the depth and complexity of Eggers’ previous outings. This thinness in the plot occasionally exposes the runtime, making certain stretches feel elongated. Yet, this simplicity could be seen as a strength, allowing Eggers to delve into the essence of the tale rather than overburden it with unnecessary intricacies.

The Prognosis:

Nosferatu is a beautifully crafted piece of cinema, a masterclass in visual storytelling that immerses viewers in its eerie, dreamlike world. Though it may not soar as high as Eggers’ earlier works, it is undeniably a film made with passion and precision. For lovers of the original and newcomers alike, it offers a rich, sensory experience that solidifies Robert Eggers’ status as one of modern cinema’s most distinctive voices.

• Saul Muerte