Robert Eggers presents a new version of Nosferatu with Focus Features retelling a highly influential vampire story in film. Eggers' adaptation of the 1922 German film uses notable differences especially within the physical attributes of the fearsome Count Orlok played by Bill Skarsgård. Eggers detailed changes made to vampire Count Orlok's appearance within his recent interview with Variety discussing specifically how he approached changing the image.
Exploring Folkloric Roots: Eggers Details Transylvanian Influences in Nosferatu's Design
While the original design elements for Count Orlok such as the long nails pointy ears and sharp teeth remain Robert Eggers explains the reasons for alterations by going directly into folklore. Eggers says he is aiming to create a very scary vampire by investigating lore of the putrid walking undead corpse common in early stories about vampires. Transylvanian folklore served as inspiration with its unique attire that included complex Hungarian costumes and a noticeable mustache influenced by characters such as Vlad the Impaler. Even Bram Stoker the author of Dracula decided that Count Orlok should have a mustache in the original novel cementing the importance within this representation.
'Nosferatu' Film Details a Young Couple's Terrifying Encounter with a Deadly Vampire
Eggers' Nosferatu based on the 1922 film of the same name and Bram Stokers Dracula features a young married couple Thomas Hutter and Ellen Hutter where Nicholas Hoult plays Thomas and Lily-Rose Depp portrays Ellen. Thomas who is a real estate agent is in charge of selling property to nobleman Count Orlok played by Bill Skarsgård a vampire that seeks to capture Ellen. With the assistance of occult professor Thomas has to rescue Ellen from the monster before it becomes too late . Other actors include Emma Corrin Aaron Taylor-Johnson Willem Dafoe Ralph Ineson and Simon McBurney with Eggers directing and creating the script. Studio 8 Maiden Voyage Pictures and Birch Hill Road Entertainment serve as production companies for the film produced by Eggers Jeff Robinov and John Graham along with Chris and Eleanor Columbus. Robert Eggers previously directed The Northman which is currently streaming on Prime Video.
'Nosferatu' Embraces Erotic Undertones and Clashes Between Life Death and Light versus Dark
Robert Eggers' Nosferatu shows similarities to the original movie from 1922 while increasing sexual undertones of Count Orlok by creating a strange fascination between Ellen and Orlok and a repulsive attraction by Ellen toward Orlok. Nosferatu follows Dracula from Bram Stokers text substituting Dracula for Count Orlok who is known for his ghastly looks rather than the seductively charming nature that Dracula offers. Eggers aims to highlight clashes between themes of life and death and light and dark. His human actors possess animalistic sexual impulses contrasted against the decay that represents Orlok showing their differences in an artful form. Eggers' follows the basic storyline from 1922 while adding the idea that Ellen plays a vital role in conjuring Orlok. He also intensifies psychic connection between Ellen and the undead Count emphasizing a twisted dynamic.
Character Connection Between Ellen and Count Orlok Explored in the Prequel
Ellen is a desperately lonely individual living during 1838 within society unable to fit due to psychic tendencies. Willem Dafoe acting as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz describes her in different periods as high priestess but during her time period she is seen as odd. Ellen then feels loneliness that is filled after Orlok appears responding to her spiritual summons. Ellen has disturbing erotic nightmares relating to Orlok that diminish once her relationship with Thomas begins. She is constantly torn between desire for Count Orlok and guilt relating to the monster highlighting her inner struggles. Thomas sells a property to Count Orlok who his company describes an eccentric and very rich noble but is actually the feared vampire of lore. Orlok then becomes a manifestation of Ellens suppressed sexual desire in response to a restricted societal structure highlighting inner conflict. Lily Rose Depp describes her characters attraction as “mutual yearning” with a “love triangle” dynamic occurring between herself Orlok and her husband Thomas. Thomas becomes entrapped by a psychic hold of Count Orlok who is cunning. Thomas unwittingly signs his wife to a binding agreement with Orlok.
Count Orlok's Terrifying Nature Beyond Typical Vampire Tropes Displaying Hunger and Greed
Count Orlok’s desires revolve around consumption of the living corrupting the innocent as he sees himself merely as “appetite” representing an intense thirst to consume. He is like an insect that spreads disease from body to body only surviving off vitality of young and beautiful beings. Orlok is not able to create other vampires only able to destroy and spread diseases with armies of vermin at his command. His wardrobe of the clothing style of a Transylvanian nobleman represents greed common among the powerful throughout many different generations. Though consuming enormous amounts of blood his own form is deteriorating under the heavy burdens of decay. His merging with Ellen provides only temporary solace as she is his next main target to fulfill his unquenchable thirst and will offer no long term solution.
Ellen’s Sacrifice Explained Highlighting Victory Over Ancient Undead Monster
Orlok when arriving in Wisborg begins infecting inhabitants to such a degree that Ellen sacrifices herself. Ellen summons Count Orlok to exist in the world of the living so he cannot be defeated by ordinary means . Professor Eberhart von Franz played by Willem Dafoe alongside Ellen create distraction for Thomas by using a pointless quest designed to destroy Count Orlok. In reality Ellen chooses to lead Count Orlok into feeling a sense of succumbing to her darkness allowing her to create opportunity by confusing his time sense by blood thirst and sunlight. Orlok though being weakened by sunlight like most traditional vampires has to drink Ellens blood which then creates a chance to defeat the monstrous entity. Ellen's decision brings triumph of good over evil by cleansing the town from a destructive force. Her soul being cleansed and released free as a hero demonstrates a final message that Ellen’s spiritual inclination is not fully realized in that time.