Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu Will Change A Classic Vampire Trope

Very few directors prioritize research as much as Robert Eggers does. In his first three films—2016’s The Witch, 2019’s The Lighthouse, and 2022’s The Northman—Eggers has showcased a passion for narratives set in bygone eras, coupled with an unwavering dedication to accurately portraying the rituals and beliefs of the respective historical contexts. His latest endeavor, Nosferatu, looks to continue this tradition of authenticity and depth.

This new film is a remake of the 1922 silent classic and takes place in early 19th-century Germany. Bill Skarsgård stars as Count Orlok, an ageless vampire who becomes obsessively enamored with Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), the wife of a driven real estate agent named Thomas (Nicholas Hoult). While Nosferatu draws significantly from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Eggers’ thorough historical research led him to make an intriguing departure from standard vampire lore.

“You’ll notice that in this film, Orlok drinks blood from the heart instead of the neck,” Eggers explained in an interview with SFX Magazine. “While it might make more sense to do it from the neck, this choice is rooted in folklore. When people experience vampiric attacks, it’s often compared to old hag syndrome, where individuals feel pressure on their chest, leading to the belief that vampires drink blood from there.”

The initial trailers for Nosferatu have cloaked Skarsgård’s Count Orlok in shadow and intrigue. As a result, audiences will likely enter the film without any clear expectations of what the central vampire will appear like. However, anticipation is building for this horror film, which has the potential to be one of the year’s last major mainstream successes. Eggers continues to rise in Hollywood since the debut of The Witch.

The full scope of Eggers’ vision for Nosferatu is yet to be discovered. Moviegoers who plan to see it when it premieres later this month can expect a fresh take on the iconic vampire, deeply influenced by Eggers’ fascination with forgotten legends and traditions.

Nosferatu is set to be released in theaters on December 25.