Filmmaker Robert Eggers’ long-gestating remake of early cinema horror classic “Nosferatu” has had its first screening and so far the response has been universally gushing.
After “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” and “The Northman,” the director brings his visually lush style to this remake of F.W. Murnau’s classic reimagining of “Dracula” – the result said to be a blending of elements of Stoker’s original novel and Murnau’s 1922 silent film.
Bill Skarsgard, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor Johnson and Willem Dafoe star in the film which is being dubbed gothic horror in the best possible way. Here’s a sampling of reactions from social media:
“Nosferatu displays Robert Eggers visionary creativity. Lily Rose Depp is superb. Willem Dafoe is having a blast. A major below the line player. There is a shot at the end which is incredibly inspired. Top notch filmmaking. Score, Production Design, Costumes, Make-up, and Cinematography, as always with Eggers films, masterful.” – Greg Ellwood, The Playlist
“Robert Eggers continues his impressive streak of crafting highly detailed and transportive period films with NOSFERATU, one of the most seductively macabre films ever made…culminating in a breathtaking final shot that sent chills through my body as I left the theater. I cannot wait to succumb to the darkness all over again.” – Matt Neglia, Next Best Picture
“Dread-soaked atmosphere, gorgeous cinematography and art direction, actors dialing their performances up to 11 – it’s a very serious, reverential approach. Overall it succeeds as a tastefully gloomy retelling of a story we all know by now; like a good cover of a famous song, it hits all the notes it has to without needing to add much else.” – Eric Walkuski, JoBlo.com
“Robert Eggers’ #Nosferatu is a knockout. Gory, creepy, propulsive, with a hint of devilish humor. Lily-Rose Depp is fantastic as the woman at the center of it all and Bill Skarsgard’s vampire is wholly unique and grounded. Not my favorite Eggers but excellent nevertheless.” – Germain Lussier, io9
“#Nosferatu is paralyzing fear fully realized under the vision of writer and director Robert Eggers. Dude is just clearing his throat in cinema. He hasn’t yet begun to sing, and I’m digging all of his numbers. Bill Skarsgård is menacing while Lily-Rose Depp is haunting. Every movie gets automatically upgraded simply because Willem Dafoe is in it. An artisan wet dream. Gorgeous and horrifically brilliant. I’m a fan.” – Clayton Davis, Variety
“Robert Eggers’ #Nosferatu goes HARDER than any other horror film this year. Holy f—. A gorgeous grotesquerie of dread-infused terrors & a divine dark delight. Bill Skarsgård’s Count Orlok is pure sinister nightmare fuel. Lily Rose Depp & Nicholas Hoult’s best work to date… incorporates breathtaking homages to Murnau’s masterpiece with thoughtful thematic artistry.” – Courtney Howard, Variety
“Nosferatu is unfiltered Robert Eggers. He’s a good match for the material, which he allows to breathe in a way that may test impatient audience members, but rewards those willing to get on his wavelength. Gross and weird, but also classically haunting.” – Joey Magidson, Awards Radar
“Excited that I finally get to talk about #Nosferatu as it is a breathtaking masterpiece & my favorite film of 2024. Meticulously directed & featuring incredible performances from the entire cast, Robert Eggers casts an intoxicating spell with his haunting take on this timeless tale.” – Heatherface Wixson, The Horror Chick
No officialy reviews are out for the title at the moment so no word from more regular critics yet. But with the distributor happily showing it off this early – nearly two months before the film’s release – they’re obviously extremely confident in what they have.
“Nosferatu” is slated to hit cinemas at Christmas.