The film is set in the early 19th century and introduces us to Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), who plans to buy property in the fictional German port city of Wisborg with the help of a secret assistant who manages to deceive an innocent young real estate agent. (played by Nicholas Hoult) to make a dangerous trip to his castle to supervise the signing of the document in person. But he has other plans in mind, since his objective is to obtain the blood of the young man's demure girlfriend.played by Lily-Rose Depp, for whom she has developed a passion through her dreams.
Murnau's 1922 film took many parts without permission from Bram Stoker's 1897 novel 'Dracula', changing the names of the characters to avoid lawsuits, although the resemblance to this work is evident. However, Eggers also credits Murnau in this film, using a plague of rats to portray the vampire's arrival in Germany. The director captures the essence of German Expressionism with stunning cinematography and lighting, while delivering performances that resonate on a deeply emotional level.
Without a doubt, the entire cast is at their best, highlighting the brilliant and often underrated Lily-Rose, whose body acting is also fascinating. German stage actor Max Schreck was the title vampire in the 1922 version, and Klaus Kinski was in Werner Herzog's 1979 version. Well, Now it's Bill Skarsgård's turn to scare us by getting into the (dead) skin of this bloodsucker who remains semi-hidden for much of the film.. We are faced with a Nosferatu quite different from the one we have been presented with previously, something that may be appreciated but whose appearance was what least convinced us about this new version, showing us a Bill that was totally unrecognizable and less iconic than his previous versions.
In any case, Eggers once again delights us with some moments that are equally beautiful and disturbing(special mention to that final shot), gifting the viewer with exquisite cinematography while creating a film that gives the feeling that we are discovering something ancient and terrifying that has been unearthed for a new generation. The camera movements keep you alert, taking you by the hand to that disturbing and atmospheric universe that Eggers manages to create. In addition, the large number of practical effects also manage to give it that feeling of realism that results in a horror film that the viewer will feel authentic, terrifying and refreshing in which darkness is another protagonist.
In short, we are faced with a love letter to the original concept, intelligently respectful and quite faithful that will conquer all lovers of the gothic, vampires and the faithful of Eggers.
The best: his direction, some incredible shots and Lily-Rose Depp.
Worst: the appearance of the new Nosferatu.
By Pablo Pastor.
