Nosferatu is back! This reboot of the vampire legend hit theaters recently and I rushed to see it. This isn’t the best movie of the year, but it’s definitely a beautiful cinematic gem!
Not Your Grandpa’s Dracula
Let’s cut through any misunderstandings first. This isn’t Bram Stoker’s Dracula. While taking some cues from the original, Nosferatu spins its own yarn with a different vampire. Not the seductive vampire, but the giant rat-type beast.
A Celestial Cast with Chemistry Problems (Mine)
The film also features an outstanding cast with Bill Skarsgrd doing a chilling job as the lead vampire, Count Orlok. The role of the childish and vulnerable Ellen is brilliantly played by Lily-Rose Depp. Yet there was something unsatisfying about the interaction between these two. Their connection, which should have been the film’s emotional core, wasn’t quite on track.
Visually Stunning with an Uncomfortably Clashed Story
This is where Nosferatu really shines: the cinematography and lighting. The cinematography is stunning, each frame a gothic masterpiece. The lighting, shot, and atmosphere is simply ingenious and exactly what you want for this story. But perhaps this focus on visuals came at a price. It was sort of like a series of vignettes, not really a cohesive weaving of a story. A couple of plot holes but nothing that I’m really going to complain about.
A Few Minor Quibbles
I have two other minor complaints. Willem Dafoe is a terrific actor, but his character, the professor, wasn’t nearly as memorable as he might have been. And the single tear-dropping moments with Lily-Rose Depp just seemed so overdone and maybe not even necessary.
On Balance: An Evil and Beautiful Movie
Even with all these shortcomings, Nosferatu is still a grand epic film. It’s a beautifully cinematic and atmospheric take on the tradition of gothic horror. Possibly not the best movie of the year (sorry, but I still prefer Anora! ), it’s certainly worth watching.
Overall, I’d give this 4.5/5 stars
For those of you who love vampire movies and gothic horror, Nosferatu is a must see. Just be ready for some small story-line flaws.
