Nosferatu

 

     Written and directed by Robert Eggers, this is a remake of the 1922 silent film, and it is a masterful achievement. Mr. Eggers doesn't bother with "jump-scare" tactics but rather creates a world of building dread and unease. 

      The film runs long, two hours and twelve minutes and additional editing would have tightened the story. The atmospheric sense of horror prevails over every aspect of the film. Working with cinematographer, Jarin Blaschke, Mr. Eggers blends the visuals, art direction, sets, music, and of course the acting into a master work of horror.

      The terrific cast includes Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlock/Nosferatu (he's quickly become the go to actor for horror characters), Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter,  Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding, Emma Corrin as Anna Harding, Wilem Dafore as Professor Albin Eberhart, Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers and Simon McBurney as Herr Knock. All the characters are doppelgangers for the characters in "Dracula".

      Ms. Depp is exceptional as Ellen, possessed early on by Count Orlock. Mr. Hoult is terrific as the tortured realtor who also falls under the Count's spell. Mr. Dafoe could have easily gone over the top but shows restraint in his character. Mr. Ineson (so good as the father in Mr. Eggers film, The Witch) has a commanding presence as always and Mr. McBurney is perfect as the crazed servant of Count Orlock. And even under quite a bit of makeup, Mr. Skarsgard still makes Nosfertu his own with a powerful performance

       The lighting, use of shadows, depth of color as well as lack of color heighten the already mentioned aspects of the film.  And while you may or may not be actually "scared" during the film, it does add up to the stuff of nightmares that may haunt your dreams for some time to come.