Thanks for this review go to our new guest reviewer, the lovely and perceptive Corinne Dion! Corinne has interests in horror and opera, among other things, and will be providing occasional reviews on this site!
Although the 2024 remake of Nosferatu (the 1922 original is reviewed here) is an escapist fantasy/horror film, it is also a smart film that gives credence to history, religion and philosophy. Many of the almost ridiculous moments of the film (such as the vampire’s Transylvania Darth Vader voice and the constant orgasmic seizures that overtake the female leads of the film) are easily overlooked when juxtaposed with the brilliance of this period piece.
Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily Rose Depp, plays Ellen, the protagonist of the film who has been possessed by the demonic presence of a vampire (Nosferatu) since childhood. Although the audience never learns exactly why Ellen has been chosen by the Nosferatu, it does not matter because the audience is swept up this movie’s world of a snowy 19th century Germany. The viewer of this film will also be swept up in the love story of Ellen and her newlywed husband, Thomas, who must battle with Nosferatu as he has come back from the dead to take his young bride and use her as a sacrifice. Accordingly, Ellen throughout the film suffers from nightmares that are truly premonitions of what’s to come.
The new husband Thomas loves Ellen so much he is willing to overlook her “fancy delusions” in the hopes that he can save her. In true 19th century Germany fashion, there is a psychiatrist prescribed to Ellen who acts like Sherlock Holmes. This Sherlock Holmes psychiatrist serves to be both a voice of scientific reason as well as a fantasist who begs for the assistance of his mentor, Albin von Franz (played by Willem Dafoe), to help him properly understand/diagnose Ellen. Accordingly, the doctor/priest von Franz character, who must both investigate/diagnose and save humanity after coming across the possessed Ellen, is riveting as a doctor who truly cares and is willing to step away from textbook wisdom of the day and get Biblical. And that is part of the beauty of the film – that it is open to the other, mystical world that the rational, 19th century humans either turn away from or completely deny the existence of, as do Ellen’s blonde best friend and her husband, Anna and Friedrich Harding.
The film, while heavy and dark, does offer hope and feels almost puritanical in its use of a religious covenant at an Orthodox monastery that saves Thomas (after he is bitten by the vampire). While the constant orgasmic exorcisms and seizures that possess many of the characters in the film are both horrific and alluring, there is a spiritual double meaning to many of the hedonistic, human issues that occur in this film.
Nosferatu (2024)
Story/Plot/Characters— Based on the original 1920’s movie and does basically follow the plot. The plot is very similar to the original. Main difference is that this film is more graphic with dialogue, color, and more nudity and violence. (2 points)
Special Effects–Excellent period piece a la Edward Scissorhands in that the viewer is swept up in a permanent German 19th century gray snowstorm that is very fitting for a vampire film. (1.5 points)
Scariness— Definitely scary with some gore and sex, but nothing over the top compared to many films of this genre. Although there were a few scenes of violence and orgasmic seizures that I felt slightly gratuitious, overall I think this film’s success comes from the script, acting and ambience. (1.5 points)
Atmosphere/Freakiness— Excellent (2 points)
Total=7 points (Excellent)