The newest extension of Robert Eggers' unique and aesthetically pleasing filmography takes shape through the form of 'Nosferatu', a well overdue remake of the original vampire tale which was originally released just a mere century ago.
Eggers' has rapidly become one of the most sought-after filmmakers within the realm of horror since the cinematic release of 2015's 'The Witch', starring common collaborator Anya Taylor-Joy. The writer and director seems to be claiming somewhat of a trademark for the usage of heavy contrasts between black and white in an aesthetically pleasing manor. And 'Nosferatu' is certainly no different.
Our story begins with a young wannabe estate agent, Thomas Hutter (played by Nicholas Hoult), who is sent away to form a contractual agreement with Count Orlok, a blood-sucking yet female-friendly being. As time passes and suspicions rise, it soon becomes obvious to Thomas that the Count's only intentions lay with him reentering his eternity of darkness with Hutter's newlywed bride claimed as his own.
From the first minute to the last, this film is smothered with an endless amount of stunning shots. From the plague-struck streets of 19th century Germany, all the way to Count Orlok's spine-chilling abode, Eggers and his long-term cinematographer extraordinaire, Jarin Blaschke, provide a phenomenal job of making every frame in this film picture-worthy, almost as though they belong on the wall of an art gallery.
Eggers and Blaschke excel in finding new ways of telling a story through the usage of the contrasts between the darkness and the light, whilst managing to maintain an appropriate tone for the themes that are at hand.
Alongside this, Eggers and his casting directors managed to assemble an all-star cast that inevitably support eachother enough to the point where each performance is an example of a performer at the very top of their game. And whilst the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Nicholas Hoult, Emma Corrin and Ralph Ineson are exceptional, it really is the duo of Lily-Rose Depp and Bill Skarsgård who deserve the plaudits more than most.
Depp does a brilliant job of establishing herself as an actress who is more than capable of more dramatic work within the industry with her subtle yet psychotic portrayal of Ellen Hutter. Whereas once again Skarsgård does what he does best and completely transforms himself into the unrecognisable figure of Count Orlok, all the way from physically embodying the aged vampire to perfectly crafting a fearsome and hair-straightening dialect for the role.
The makeup and prosthetic department certainly had their work cut out for themselves when they were tasked with the responsibility of bringing the character of Count Orlok to life. But it seems to be that those responsible for doing so are just another example of people within this film performing at the very best of their ability as the Count is physically displayed just as vile and disgusting on screen as one would imagine.
Whilst Robert Eggers' is a filmmaker who very much likes to stay in his lane when it comes to the kind of films he produces, it doesn't go unnoticed that he is brilliant at what he does. And although he has received criticism in the past due to the lack of accessibility to certain audiences that his films possess, 'Nosferatu' will certainly go down as one of if not the best production to come from the archives of Eggers' filmography so far in his career.
PrimeTime Films Score: B
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