Director Robert Eggers has created an extremely adult spin on the ages-old vampire tale.
“Nosferatu” is a tale of unwanted passion – unwanted because this is far from a love story, although there is a real love story at its core.
Just as Eggers did in “The Lighthouse,” he creates a dark, brooding environment around his tortured, puzzled characters.
The movie is a remake of the 1922 silent “Nosferatu,” which is taken from Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” novel.
The love story is between two characters we meet early on. Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult, “Mad Max: Fury Road”) and Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp, Johnny Depp’s daughter) are newlyweds. Although neither wants to part from the other, Thomas is dispatched far, far away to complete a real-estate contract with the creepy Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård (“Barbarian.”)
Ellen begins to exhibit unusual behavior, as though she is possessed, while Thomas also becomes a victim in Orlok’s scheme.
Skarsgård, who was Pennywise the clown in the two recent “It” movies, is terrifying in a different way as he slithers menacingly through the film.
The scene-stealer among the talented ensemble, not surprisingly, is Willem Dafoe, who as Professor von Franz plays a scholar of the occult who begins to realize that someone has cast a spell on the young couple.
If you haven’t seen the original “Nosferatu,” or if it has been some time since you’ve taken in the silent classic, here’s a little holiday gift: You can watch it free here.
This was a great year for horror movies. Eggers, who creates a growing feeling of dread with every scene, has given us one of the finest.
Just because it’s a remake doesn’t mean it has lost its bite.
4 stars
Running time: Two hour and 13 minutes.
Rated: R for sexual situations, nudity, gore and other adult themes.
Opens only in theaters on Wednesday.
Watch the trailer here.