Nosferatu is a haunting reimagining of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent horror masterpiece, brought to life by visionary director Robert Eggers. Known for his atmospheric and historically grounded storytelling in films like The Witch and The Lighthouse, Eggers revisits this gothic tale, infusing it with his trademark sense of dread and authenticity.

The film stars Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter, a young and ambitious real estate agent tasked with traveling to the remote and foreboding region of Transylvania. His mission is to finalize a property purchase for the enigmatic Count Orlok, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, who delivers a menacing and otherworldly performance. Upon arriving at the Count’s ancient, decaying castle, Hutter begins to uncover the horrifying truth about his client: Orlok is a vampire, an immortal being driven by an insatiable thirst for blood and an unnerving fixation on Hutter’s wife, Ellen, played with ethereal vulnerability by Lily-Rose Depp.

As Orlok moves to Hutter’s hometown, the plague of death and despair follows in his wake. The village becomes a bleak and fear-stricken place, echoing the vampire’s shadowy presence. Ellen, meanwhile, becomes the focal point of Orlok’s obsession, her purity and strength standing in stark contrast to his dark malevolence. Torn between saving his wife and facing the ancient terror, Hutter must confront forces far beyond his understanding or control.

Eggers crafts a richly textured world that immerses audiences in the grim aesthetics of the 19th century, blending gothic architecture, shadowy landscapes, and unsettling soundscapes. With meticulous attention to historical detail, the film reimagines the chilling atmosphere of the original while exploring deeper themes of obsession, the duality of light and darkness, and humanity’s fragility when confronted by the supernatural.

The performances are as compelling as the story itself. Skarsgård’s Orlok is a figure of grotesque elegance, his haunting presence amplified by Eggers’ striking visual style. Hoult’s portrayal of Hutter captures the character’s descent from naive ambition to desperate resolve, while Depp’s Ellen provides a beacon of humanity and sacrifice amid the encroaching darkness.