'Nosferatu’ Review: A Sinister New Take on Dracula

With every new Dracula film, the main question that always arises is whether it’s scary. However, that’s not the most fitting inquiry for a story like Nosferatu. These films aren’t meant to scare in the typical horror movie sense. Instead, they are an exploration of moral decay, the grotesque, and the seductive pull of evil. In Robert Eggers’ latest reimagining of the Dracula tale, this theme is pushed to its extreme, with a villain so repulsive and captivating that it’s hard to look away.

A Nightmarish and Seductive Dracula

In Nosferatu, Eggers, along with Bill Skarsgård’s chilling portrayal of Count Orlok, has crafted the most grotesque, decayed, and unsettling Dracula yet. Skarsgård’s interpretation of the character is a nightmarish blend of horror and allure, making Orlok both a terrifying and strangely magnetic figure. Eggers has pushed the physical transformation to new heights, creating a vampire that feels less human and more like a walking, decomposing pestilence.

However, what’s most unnerving about this version of Dracula isn’t just his monstrous appearance, but the power he exudes—particularly in his seductive, manipulative ways. The real horror lies in the psychological toll he takes on his victims. It’s a world where evil is as intoxicating as it is destructive, leaving the audience to grapple with their own fascination and repulsion.

A Horror That Seduces

What makes this Nosferatu stand out is its eerie exploration of desire and control. As the film follows the story of a young solicitor, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), who travels to Transylvania to complete a real estate transaction with Count Orlok, we witness the gradual manipulation of Hutter's wife, as well as the sexual and psychological havoc Orlok wreaks upon those around him. In the process, the movie challenges the audience’s moral compass, forcing them to question just how far we’re willing to go to surrender to evil’s charms.

There’s a queasy sensation of being caught between attraction and repulsion. Even as Orlok's actions become increasingly monstrous, there’s an undeniable allure to his power and presence—one that, in the film’s most twisted moments, leaves the audience almost wishing for more.

A Fresh Take on a Classic

Eggers’ adaptation cleverly reimagines the 1922 silent classic Nosferatu by F.W. Murnau, while keeping much of the original story intact. The familiar plot of a young solicitor traveling to Transylvania to complete a real estate deal with a vampire remains, but with a darker, more adult twist. Eggers also maintains the eerie, Gothic atmosphere that the original is known for, enhancing it with modern sensibilities and a deeper dive into the psychological horror of the tale.

Conclusion: A Film That Lingers

Nosferatu isn’t just another retelling of a Dracula story; it’s a visceral, unsettling experience that taps into our darkest desires and fears. Eggers and Skarsgård have created something that’s less about traditional scares and more about creating a world where the audience can’t help but feel the pull of darkness. The film’s unsettling blend of horror, sexuality, and grotesque beauty will stay with you long after the credits roll. It’s a Nosferatu that will leave you questioning just how much of yourself you’re willing to give to evil.