Nosferatu

From Graveyards to Halloween Costumes: The Tricky Tale of Nosferatu 2024!

Will the new Nosferatu resurrect the thrill of the 1922 classic or simply haunt our memories? Find out in our fun review!

In the spectacular realm of horror cinema, few titles carry as much weight as "Nosferatu." Released in 1922, this silent film set the standard for vampire lore, embodying all that is creepy and captivating in the mythos of the undead. Fast forward to 2024, and we find ourselves revisiting this iconic tale, albeit with a less-than-exciting twist. Critics have likened the new classic to a cheap costume from Spirit Halloween—fun but lacking that authentic, chilling essence that made the original a timeless hit. Glimmers of entertainment flash through, but it feels more like a stroll through a graveyard during daylight rather than an eerie midnight jaunt under the full moon.

Director Robert Eggers is well-known for his ability to bring the past to life through cinema, and he has once again graced us with his unique artistry in "Nosferatu." The visually stunning film uses a custom filter similar to that seen in "The Lighthouse," giving it a haunting and ethereal vibe reminiscent of black-and-white films. This approach not only showcases Eggers' knack for creating mood through visuals but also attempts to transport viewers into an atmosphere thick with suspense and fear. Despite this, many have found that the film, while visually enchanting, still doesn’t hold a candle to the intense emotional pull of Murnau's original.

One standout detail from the making of the movie is how Eggers flooded the set with over 5,000 live rats, heightening the horror experience. Filmmakers had to establish materials to contain these rodent starlets, and Lathrop confirmed that none were lost during the production, affirming the commitment to authenticity. If this movie entity can pull off the scares of a hoard of rats instead of simply relying on jump scares, it certainly earns some creative points. However, whether this bizarre decision adds to the viewing experience is still up for debate.

As Robert Eggers himself stated in interviews, the primary aim was to craft the most terrifying vampire possible, drawing on the folklore that preceded him. Interestingly, while Murnau's version is credited with introducing the concept that vampires perish in sunlight, mythological roots reveal that this idea is more nuanced and deeply entrenched in varied cultures worldwide. With such an iconic legacy to uphold, audiences are bound to either relish in the nostalgia of the classic or be mystified by the new take, as characters both dread and desire the night in this fevered reimagining of a film that has wriggled its way into cinema's essence.