Nosferatu Review: Sweaty Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp Lead Excellent Robert Eggers Remake of the 1920s Horror Classic

   December 8, 2024

Robert Eggers might already be one of the greatest filmmakers of our time. Sure, it’s silly and hyperbolic to say that so early in his career, but few directors today can craft arthouse movies on the scale of his latest work, Nosferatu, and make it look so effortless. The subject matter feels like a natural progression from his earlier explorations of isolation and dread in The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman. Here, Eggers reimagines the classic vampire tale with precise, stomach-churning detail, delivering a vision that both honors the original and reinvents it as a sadistic, psychosexual nightmare.

Nosferatu - Nicholas Hoult
Nicholas Hoult in Nosferatu
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Nosferatu stays true to many of the plot elements from the original tale it’s based on. Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) is sent to meet Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) at his remote castle in Transylvania, as Orlok is interested in buying a home near the residence of Thomas and his wife, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp). Unaware of Orlok’s sinister “lifestyle,” Thomas quickly finds that the journey is far more perilous than he was led to believe.

Meanwhile, back home, Ellen is left under the care of family friends Friedrich and Anna Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corrin). She begins to suffer from recurring nightmares and falls into unexplained trances that leave the Hardings deeply worried. Seeking answers, they call on an outside professor (Willem Dafoe) who believes he can uncover the source of Ellen’s troubling afflictions.

The two plotlines collide as Count Orlok journeys from his isolated castle to the English town where Ellen and the Hardings are staying. Eggers strikes a balance between staying faithful to the original story and adding enough stylistic and narrative twists to make it feel fresh. With modern artistic freedoms—and Eggers’ fascination with blending psychosexual themes and sinister undertones—Nosferatu transforms into a darker, grittier, and more unnervingly provocative version of the classic tale.

Yet at times, Nosferatu feels like Robert Eggers on autopilot. It’s more of a culmination of his past thematic work than a bold evolution of it. While it’s an excellent remake—sidestepping many of the pitfalls that plague modern studio reboots—it doesn’t entirely push Eggers’ creative boundaries. That said, he’s still the ideal filmmaker to revive this material. His vision makes the film feel distinctive and personal rather than just another product of the Hollywood machine.

Nosferatu - Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose Depp in Nosferatu

Nosferatu also serves as a tribute to the filmmaking practices of the early 20th century. Large portions of the film feel like they could have been made during that era, aside from the inclusion of color and sound. The grainy, hazy cinematography and the meticulously crafted sets—designed by Eggers and his team—showcase his commitment to immersive, controlled environments that keep the viewer grounded in the story. Everything is done practically, and the result is a film that feels both authentic and deeply rewarding.

The performances in Nosferatu hit the mark across the board. 2024 seems to be the year of sweaty Nicholas Hoult—between his work here, The Order, and Juror #2, anxious, jittery Hoult is quickly proving to be the best Hoult. Lily-Rose Depp matches that energy with a performance that’s equally sweaty, over-the-top, and delightfully theatrical. Supporting turns from Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Emma Corrin perfectly complement the period setting while adding suspense and Eggers’ signature touch of deranged humor.

Then there’s Bill Skarsgård, who is nearly unrecognizable as Nosferatu. Adding to his résumé of iconic villains, from Pennywise to this infamous vampire, Skarsgård delivers another standout physical performance. His Nosferatu is grotesque and unsettling, complete with a greasy comb-over and a hilariously vile mustache. Skarsgård leans into the character’s nastiness with an exaggerated, daring approach that makes it impossible to look away.

I found Nosferatu both fascinating and highly effective. Robert Eggers feels almost tailor-made to reimagine this material. While it doesn’t necessarily expand his artistic boundaries, he elevates the classic vampire story in ways few filmmakers could. Eggers is playing the hits here, but he plays them so well that Nosferatu stands out as one of his best films yet.

Score: 8/10

Related Movies Starring Bill Skarsgård

Bill Skarsgård has starred in the following movies:

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Related Movies Starring Lily-Rose Depp

Lily-Rose Depp has starred in the following movies:

  • Tusk (2014)
  • The King (2019)
  • Nosferatu (2024)

Related Movies Directed by Robert Eggers

Robert Eggers has directed the following movies:

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