Nosferatu (2024) Blu-ray Review
“Nosferatu” is pure Robert Eggers. Make of that as you will.
Based on 1922’s “Nosferatu” and Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula,” 2024’s “Nosferatu” is a new take from writer/director Robert Eggers. Set in the 1800s, the story largely revolves around Ellen- who pled her life to Count Orlok at a young age. As time passes, she weds Thomas and takes up a home in Germany. One day, Thomas ventures to Transylvania to work on a real estate deal with Count Orlok. It is a deal he will regret as his life becomes endangered by the vampiric Orlok. Ellen, meanwhile, is left in the care of friends, but is being plagued by nightmares, seizures, and other ailments while under Orlok’s spell. When Orlok comes to Germany, he brings a promise of death unless Ellen submits to him willingly. Now, Ellen has to decide what to do knowing that people’s lives are at stake (including her husband Thomas).
There’s no question that Robert Eggers is a talented filmmaker who has an eye for visuals. The cinematography in all of his films (“The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” “The Northman,” and now “Nosferatu”) is the real MVP. He has developed quite the fanbase among film buffs, but is also a bit of a divisive figure. He’s very much a filmmaker you love or you don’t. For myself, his films have never moved me. To me, they all come across as cold visual spectacles lacking in emotional depth. “Nosferatu” continues that trend.
If Eggers intention was to create a truly terrifying horror movie here, it’s quite puzzling to me that this film never once felt scary. This big budget (for a horror film) period piece is full of visual effects, big sets, costumes, and extraordinary award worthy make-up work. It also happens to feel like a chore to watch as it drags on and on for over 2 hours. Unless you are fascinated by numerous rat scenes, a mustached vampire, and seemingly endless scenes of Ellen writing around, screaming, and crying, there’s not much to latch on to here. Eggers (who is weirdly obsessed with the past) is dedicated to creating an atmosphere, but in doing so he forgets to create scares or even engaging characters. Stick with the F.W. Murnau and Werner Herzog “Nosferatu” films instead.
Perhaps the film’s biggest sin is that the stacked cast featuring Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily Rose-Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe and Emma Corrin is largely wasted. Even though the visual design is goofy, Bill Skarsgård gives a truly transformational performance here. You would never know it was him if it wasn’t in the credits. The actor is fast becoming the go to monster man these days. Even though Lily-Rose Depp is overacting here, she definitely gives it her all, much like she did in the HBO series “The Idol.”
Note: This disc contains both the theatrical cut and the 4 minute longer extended cut.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.66:1 1080p. How does it look? The grainy and moody styles shines on Blu-ray. Note: This title is also available on 4K.
Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? The score, the dialogue, and the sound effects are effective with this top notch Atmos track.
Extras:
* 3 deleted scenes
* Digital copy
* “Nosferatu: A Modern Masterpiece”- A 6 part extra that covers the production design, costumes, Eggers’ passion for this remake, the cast and characters, the look of Count Orlok (and Skarsgard’s transformation), the atmosphere, and the special effects.
* Commentary by Robert Eggers
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