Nosferatu (2024): Succumb to Darkness

The 1922 masterpiece gets a remake that built to be terrifying and darker than ever.

Written by,
J. Johnson

A century ago, Nosferatu crawled out of the shadows and into cinematic history as one of the most iconic horror films of all time. Now the visionary-period narrative of Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse) aims to resurrect the legendary tale of Count Orlok in Nosferatu, a film poised to test your fears while blending goth horror with Eggers’ distinct storytelling style.

The film stars Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Ralph Ineson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Simon McBurney and Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlok, aimed to honor a legacy with immersive production design. Here’s everything we know about Nosferatu (2024) and why this reimaging will be a must-watch.

A Haunting Revival

Remaining true to the classic 1922 silent film, Nosferatu (2024) aims to be a richer exploration of its eerie narrative. The story unfolds in 1838 Germany, where Nosferatu follows the obsession between a haunted young woman, Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), and the ancient Transylvanian vampire stalking her, Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard), leading to untold horror. Eggers is known for diving deep into folklore and psychological tension, most notably in his latest work The Lighthouse (2019) that starred Robert Pattinson as well as Willem Dafoe. So expect a retelling that does not just terrify but also lingers, with deeper emotional undertones and hauntingly beautiful visuals.

Why It Matters & Anticipation

The original Nosferatu was groundbreaking for its time. Directed by F.W. Murnau, it redefined horror by using striking visuals and atmosphere rather than dialogue or special effects to convey fear. Its influence still echoes in modern horror, and Eggers’ version is both a tribute to this legacy and a bold evolution of the story. The anticipation not only resurrects a classic but also opens the door for new audiences to appreciate one of cinema’s most iconic monsters in a modern style.

Can Eggers pull off what is arguably one of the most ambitious horror remakes in modern cinema? While expectations are high, the combination of Eggers’ storytelling, Skarsgard’s transformation, and gothic aesthetic have already drawn the acclaim of positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes has the film with a 95% out of 83 critics with an average rating of 8.3/10. Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney praises the direction, screenplay, and performances calling the film “exciting, repulsive and beautiful” adding, “It’s thrilling to experience a movie so assured in the way it builds and sustains fear, so hypnotically scary as it grabs you by the throat and never lets go.”

Will you be ready when the lights dim? The haunting allure of Count Orlok is nearly upon us, and Nosferatu (2024) will release in theaters on December 25th, 2024.