Nosferatu 2024 - vampire's lust
Greetings, creatures of the night!
It’s been a while since we’ve had a truly good horror film in theaters—especially one focused on vampires. We all remember Twilight, a youth-oriented phenomenon that became a cult classic in its time. But today, we’re diving into a much darker, gothic tale, one that feels spiritually closer to Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Starring in the lead role is Bill Skarsgård, a master of transformation and the actor behind some truly unsettling characters, such as Pennywise the Dancing Clown and the upcoming remake of The Crow—which we’ll get to eventually. Tonight, I expect to witness a grim and terrifying story about one of humanity’s oldest nightmares: an ancient evil risen from the grave, drawing its power and immortality from human blood. A vampire, a nosferatu, a ghoul, a bloodsucker.
So, let’s dive into this dark spectacle and, by the end, determine whether Robert Eggers has crafted a masterpiece or if this film is unworthy of our attention.
Let the horror begin!
The story begins in a massive mansion, where a distressed young woman, clearly burdened by sorrow, desperately seeks aid. She prays to any force that will listen, and moments later, a chilling voice answers:
"You have awakened me from my slumber. And you do not belong to the race of men."
Drawn by the voice’s call, the girl leaves the grand estate and, standing in the garden, solemnly vows to become part of the mysterious entity that has spoken to her. At first, this appears to bring her pleasure—until a monstrous figure suddenly grabs her by the throat. But was it real? The next moment, there is no one around, and she appears to be strangling herself. This leaves us with two possibilities: either a supernatural force has indeed infiltrated her mind, or she is mentally unwell and hallucinating.
Nosferatu 2024 - Beware what you wish for.
The scene then shifts to Germany in the year 1838. The girl, now identified as Ellen, has survived and even found herself a fiancé—Thomas. Today is an important day for him, as he has received a new job opportunity. His journey leads him to a real estate agency, Knock & Partners, where he is assigned a rather peculiar task. A noble count wishes to purchase a house in Wisborg, where he plans to spend his final days in peace and solitude. However, the count is too old to travel himself, so Thomas is tasked with delivering the documents to him personally—in Transylvania.
The client, Count Orlok, insists on meeting his envoy in person, which seems a bit eccentric, but Thomas doesn’t have much choice if he wants to establish himself within the firm. When he returns home, he tells Ellen that it will take him six weeks to reach his destination. At this moment, we notice something strange in Ellen’s behavior. She asks him why he has “killed the flowers” when giving her a bouquet and pleads with him not to leave, citing a terrible nightmare she had the night before.
Honestly, I’m amazed that after the traumatic experience she endured as a child, she not only found a fiancé but also managed to avoid ending up in an asylum. She tells Thomas about her dream: a wedding where she was married to Death itself. Not exactly the most cheerful of dreams. Thomas listens to her story and, apparently, decides that now is the perfect time to leave town.
Later that evening, Thomas and Ellen visit Friedrich, a wealthy friend from whom Thomas had borrowed money. He asks Friedrich to look after Ellen while he is away. Meanwhile, Thomas’s employer, Mr. Knock, isn’t wasting any time either. Completely naked, he sits within a circle of candles, painting symbols with his own blood and pledging eternal service to some unknown master. Suddenly, a violent gust of wind blows out all the candles in his infernal pentagram.
A Farewell and a Journey into Darkness
After an emotional farewell, Thomas mounted his horse and set off on his journey. The Transylvanian forests did not welcome him kindly—dead trees stretched endlessly, the land was blanketed in snow, and the howling wind cut through the icy landscape. The place felt more dead than alive.
Upon reaching a village, Thomas encountered a group of gypsies who cryptically mentioned a strigoi but refused to speak about Orlok’s castle. Strigoi—a word from Romanian folklore—means vampire. A local healer warned Thomas not to venture there, insisting that no salvation awaited him beyond those cursed walls.
Nosferatu 2024 - Helen and Thomas, deniable beautiful pair with true love and passion.
That night, Thomas bore witness to a strange ritual. The entire village gathered, placing a naked woman on a magnificent horse and leading her to the local cemetery. There, they opened a coffin containing a corpse, and one of the villagers drove an iron stake through its heart, convinced it was a real vampire. But was it truly happening? Or was it merely a dream?
Regardless, when Thomas awoke the next morning, the village was eerily deserted—not a single soul in sight. Even his horse had vanished. With no other option, he continued on foot.
As he approached the castle, a black carriage drawn by obsidian-colored horses arrived to greet him. Strangely, the coachman was missing, yet Thomas, undeterred, climbed inside, allowing the spectral vehicle to carry him toward the ominous fortress nestled within the jagged cliffs. The mere sight of it sent shivers down my spine.
The Castle of the Damned
The castle welcomed Thomas with nothing but dark, foreboding hallways. Only a single room was illuminated, where a fire crackled in the hearth. Count Orlok was displeased with Thomas's late arrival and insisted that he be addressed as Lord. His breathing was labored, each movement appearing strained as though he were barely clinging to life. When Thomas inquired about the gypsies, the Count’s demeanor shifted—he became enraged, refusing to entertain any further discussion on the matter.
During their meal, Thomas accidentally cut his finger, and Orlok immediately offered his assistance. Something about the way he approached, ever so slowly, sent a jolt of fear through Thomas, twisting his expression into one of sheer terror. The next morning, Thomas awoke on the cold stone floor of the hall. The castle was eerily silent, devoid of any signs of life. Wandering through the rooms, he eventually stumbled upon a mirror—and what he saw chilled him to the bone. There, on his chest, were fresh bite marks.
Nosferatu 2024 - If I were at Thomas Place, I would never go to such a creepy and dark place as Orlok's Castle.
Frightened but determined to complete his mission, he resolved to stay. That evening, he and the Count finalized their agreement, signing a contract—though the text was written in a language Thomas could not decipher. Before signing, Orlok took an interest in the medallion Ellen had given Thomas, asking to examine it.
"Sign your name, Herr Hutter," the Count insisted.
After much hesitation, Thomas finally scrawled his signature onto the strange document. Orlok, pleased with the transaction, handed his guest a sack of gold coins. But when Thomas requested to leave immediately, the Count refused and departed, taking Ellen’s medallion with him. The next morning, Thomas discovered yet another bite mark on his chest. This time, there was no denying it—he was in grave danger. He had to escape.
Unfortunately, every door was locked… except one. The entrance to the crypt. Venturing inside, he found a massive coffin adorned with a pentagram. With growing dread, he pried it open—only to find Orlok himself, his lips still stained with fresh blood. Overcome with desperation, Thomas grabbed a wooden stake and attempted to drive it into the vampire’s heart. But at the last moment, Orlok’s eyes snapped open, forcing Thomas to flee in terror. He bolted from the crypt, slamming the door behind him.
Nosferatu 2024 - The moment Thomas realized he had to run to save his life and the life of his wife.
Yet it was futile. The Count had already infiltrated his mind, just as he had done with Ellen. And so, even against his own will, Thomas found himself reaching out, his trembling hands unfastening the very door he had just sealed shut. The ancient vampire feasted once more.
Ellen’s Torment & A City on Edge
The next morning, Thomas awoke in his chamber, disoriented and weakened. In a desperate bid for escape, he attempted to climb down from the castle walls. But as he descended, the Count’s hounds were loosed upon him, causing him to lose his grip—plummeting into the freezing river below.
Meanwhile, Ellen continued to suffer from relentless visions and fits, her condition deteriorating rapidly. Worse yet, in Wisborg, Herr Knock—the very man who had sent Thomas on this doomed errand—had mysteriously vanished. When authorities finally found him, he had to be committed to a local hospital.
Why?
Because, in the middle of a marketplace, Knock had begun devouring live animals.
Nosferatu 2024 - While Thomas was on a trip to Orlok's castle, Helen enjoyed staying with Anna.
While being restrained, he raved about his master’s arrival, declaring that Ellen could not escape him and that soon, all would fall under his rule. He then lashed out, attacking Dr. Wilhelm Sievers—the very man who had been tending to Ellen’s worsening hallucinations.
With Ellen’s condition growing ever more dire, Friedrich proposed a drastic measure. There was only one man left who might be able to help: Von Franz, a scholar, occultist, and alchemist… and former mentor to Dr. Sievers himself.
The Gypsies' Discovery
On the riverbank, the gypsies find Thomas’s lifeless body and bring him to their temple. Through sacred prayers and divine rituals, they manage to bring him back to consciousness, temporarily freeing him from Orlok’s shadow—an evil that holds no power in the house of the Lord. However, Thomas cannot stay. He must return to Visburg before it’s too late for Ellen.
Meanwhile, Orlok, sealed within his coffin, continues his journey by sea. His very presence spreads sickness and death. The crew aboard the ship begins to succumb to the plague, their bodies withering under the weight of an unseen force. The ancient evil consumes all in its path.
Friedrich, Sivers, and Von Franz’s Rescue Mission
Determined to save Ellen, Friedrich and Sivers seek out Von Franz, hoping his knowledge will lead them to answers. After speaking with Ellen, Von Franz decides to perform an exorcism, suspecting that something far worse than illness afflicts her. Establishing a connection with the vampire, he realizes the horrifying truth—Ellen is cursed, possessed by a demonic force. He warns them all: a great storm is approaching, and with it, an even greater terror.
At sea, the ship carrying Orlok continues to descend into madness. The crew, desperate to rid themselves of their cursed cargo, start tossing bodies overboard. Eventually, they decide to dispose of the Count’s coffin. But one unfortunate sailor, too curious for his own doom, sneaks into the hold, opens the box… and becomes Orlok’s next meal.
Elsewhere, Knock, driven by a crazed devotion to his master, senses Orlok’s arrival. He seizes the opportunity to kidnap a hospital attendant and flees, eager to reunite with the Count. Meanwhile, against all odds, Thomas makes it back to Visburg.
But disaster strikes the harbor. Friedrich’s ship crashes, and from the wreckage, a flood of plague-ridden rats spills into the city streets. Disease and death spread like wildfire. Guided by the mad Knock, Orlok finally reaches his new home. His plan is set in motion: Ellen must surrender to him willingly. And for reasons yet unknown, Thomas also plays a role in his sinister scheme.
The Doctor’s Findings and Von Franz’s Revelation
In the morgue, the doctor examines the corpses of the sailors from the wrecked ship. The findings are disturbing—aside from the plague and rat bites, the bodies are completely drained of blood, with deep puncture wounds marking their flesh. Von Franz is now certain: Visburg is not merely battling an epidemic. They are facing something far worse.
As Orlok continues his dark rituals, he once again invades Thomas’s mind, sending nightmares to torment him.
Friedrich, desperate and shaken, meets with Von Franz and Sivers. The occultist does not sugarcoat the truth. They are not fighting a metaphor, a mere superstition. The evil in Visburg is real. It has a body. It has a name - Nosferatu.
Orlok’s Visit to Ellen
That night, Orlok slips into Ellen’s home like a phantom, his gaze fixed upon her. He tells her that it was she who awakened him from his eternal slumber, that it is her presence alone that causes him unbearable suffering. The contract Thomas signed was no mere legal agreement—it was the dissolution of their marriage. In the eyes of darkness, Ellen now belongs to the Count.
Orlok demands that she submit to him, claiming that her passion, her very essence, has always belonged to him. It is revealed that, in some twisted way, they have already been together before. The Count, a predator of youth and innocence, revels in his lust for fresh blood. But Ellen refuses him. Coldly, Orlok gives her an ultimatum: she has three days to surrender to him willingly, or her entire world will burn.
Nosferatu 2024 - "I was waiting so long and now I finally so close to reach you, enchantress!"
The first victim of his wrath is Anna. The plague-ridden rats invade her bedroom, biting and clawing at her until there is nothing left but sickness and death. Panic grips the city. Whispers of the end of days spread like wildfire.
Friedrich, consumed by fear and rage, throws Thomas and Ellen out of his home, admitting that he never liked Ellen to begin with. But as she leaves, she turns to him with eerie certainty and proclaims his fate—he will not live to see the end of this nightmare.
Von Franz’s Discovery of Knock’s Role
Determined to understand the full extent of Orlok’s influence, Von Franz searches Knock’s quarters. What he finds is chilling: occult symbols, unholy texts, and disturbing drawings—proof beyond doubt that Knock has been aiding Nosferatu from the very beginning.
Nosferatu 2024 - Ellen realises she only one who can stop Nosferatu, but the price will be great.
Friedrich and Von Franz are desperate for a way to banish the vampire once and for all. But Friedrich, his mind unraveling, refuses to fight. Overcome with dread, he cannot bring himself to stand against the devil incarnate. And so, the darkness tightens its grip on Visburg. Nosferatu’s reign has begun.
Ellen’s Confession
In a moment of painful honesty, Ellen reveals to Thomas a truth he never expected—she has known Orlok far longer than he ever realized. There was a time when she felt lost, longing for warmth and affection, and it was the dark soul of Nosferatu that answered her call. Yet, when Thomas entered her life, she nearly forgot about Orlok’s shadowy embrace.
Now, as fear and madness consume her, Ellen turns on Thomas, blaming him for everything. Desperate to reclaim herself from the vampire’s grip, she provokes Thomas, urging him to make love to her—to prove that their passion can surpass the power of Nosferatu’s curse. But the demon is relentless. Nightmares and visions continue to plague her, tightening his hold. Thomas, filled with fury, swears to kill Orlok. Meanwhile, Von Franz uncovers an ancient ritual—one that speaks of a virgin lying with the demon to destroy the evil within.
Nosferatu 2024 - Ellen shares her tragic secret with Thomas and get obsessed with Orlok's presence.
The second night brings more bloodshed. Orlok slaughters Friedrich’s wife and daughters, leaving nothing but devastation in his wake. Now, with nothing left to lose, perhaps even the Count himself is prepared to bring this nightmare to an end.
On the third night, Von Franz and his team—Thomas, Sivers, and a handful of desperate men—prepare for battle. Their plan is simple yet deadly: infiltrate Nosferatu’s lair, sanctify the ground, destroy his sarcophagus, and drive a stake through his heart. But Von Franz believes their real weapon is not steel or fire—it's Ellen. She alone holds the key to destroying the ancient evil.
Friedrich’s Tragic End
Grief-stricken and broken, Friedrich descends into the crypt where his family now rests. In a final, heartbreaking farewell, he kisses his loved ones one last time… before taking his own life.
With sorrow weighing heavy on his heart, Thomas sets his friend’s body ablaze, ensuring he will not return as one of Orlok’s cursed victims. Then, without looking back, he joins Von Franz and Sivers in their quest to end Nosferatu once and for all. But Ellen has her own plans. She is still calling out to Orlok, summoning him to her
Nosferatu 2024 -Von Franz burning down the Nosferatu lair.
Meanwhile, Thomas and the others infiltrate the Count’s lair, where thousands of plague-ridden rats swarm over every surface. The stench of death is unbearable. But Thomas is undeterred. He rips open the coffin, ready to strike—only to find himself staring into the crazed eyes of Knock instead. The madman grins, revealing the truth. Orlok is no longer concerned with anything else. His mind, his soul—everything is consumed by Ellen. With no time to waste, Von Franz sets the lair ablaze, watching as the flames devour the remains of Nosferatu’s kingdom of darkness. Thomas and Sivers, knowing the true battle lies elsewhere, rush back to Ellen.
Great sacrifice for those she loves
At last, the vampire claims what he has desired for so long—Ellen is his. He takes her in his arms, pressing a cold, hungry kiss upon her lips. And she does not resist. In that moment, their twisted love is sealed in darkness. Their bodies and souls intertwine, and they taste each other’s blood in a final, forbidden act.
But as the first golden rays of dawn spill over the horizon, Orlok realizes his fatal mistake. He has been undone by his own lust, his own desire. The sun, the ancient enemy of all his kind, rises mercilessly, burning through his cursed flesh. His reign of terror is over. But the price is unbearable.
Nosferatu 2024 - I am still wondering when Helen thought that this man is attractive and could be a greatest lover of her life.
Ellen, too, is lost. The passion they shared drained her of too much blood, and as Orlok crumbles to ash, she collapses beside him, her life slipping away. In the end, she sacrificed herself—not for the vampire, but for those she truly loved. As Thomas arrives, it is too late. He finds her lifeless body, surrounded by countless bouquets—just like the ones he had once given her before his ill-fated journey to Transylvania.
A love story born in darkness, ended by the light.
Final Thoughts
After watching the film, I was genuinely impressed by the work of the cast and director. I wouldn’t call myself an expert in arthouse cinema, but this film fits that description perfectly. It doesn’t just tell a story about these characters' lives—it raises profound moral questions, explores dignity, and highlights social issues in our world. To be honest, I didn’t set out to analyze these deeper themes. My main goal was to watch a film about a vampire’s terrifying journey. But upon reflection, I started noticing certain drawbacks as well. So, let’s take a closer and, as much as possible, objective look at the film’s strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths
1) Music & Visuals
This is the first thing I want to highlight. The team did an outstanding job of recreating the era—the costumes, headwear, buildings, horses, and carriages all look authentic, making the visuals feel natural and immersive. The gypsies resemble real gypsies, the ancient vampire exudes the aura of a ruthless and cruel ruler, and his castle radiates an atmosphere of horror, despair, and isolation.
The stunning cinematography is further elevated by an incredible soundtrack. The music shifts from soft and emotional in quieter moments to eerie and unsettling in scenes of danger. The composers and set designers have masterfully captured a sense of dread and hopelessness, making every frame believable and immersive. Not once did I feel like anything was out of place or unnatural.
Without a doubt, I rate this aspect 9/10.
2) Story
When I started watching, I had no idea that this was a remake of the original 1920s film based on Bram Stoker’s novel. However, as the film progressed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it strongly resembled Dracula, a book I thoroughly enjoyed as a student.
What drew me in the most was the beginning of the film and its dramatic conclusion. The middle section, however, felt a bit slow and drawn out. That said, I believe this pacing was necessary—otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to fully understand the characters, the unfolding events, or the motivations driving each of them.
There are very few action scenes in the film. Even Count Orlok himself moves slowly and only kills in a handful of moments. Yet, despite this, I could still feel the fear—the overwhelming sense of an ancient evil creeping ever closer, as relentless as the plague.
The plot isn’t overly complex, but it remains accessible to any viewer. I expected a tragic ending, and the director delivered, wrapping up the film with a single powerful scene that left me with a deep sense of melancholy and a desire to search for hidden meanings. That, I believe, is exactly how one should feel after watching a film with depth and well-developed characters.
3) Characters
Another strong aspect of the film is its characters and their personal stories. In many modern films, we are told to sympathize with the protagonists by using overused dramatic tropes—loss of a loved one, injustice, heartbreak. But the problem is, I rarely feel any real attachment to these characters because they’re often flat and one-dimensional. The good guy is good simply because he is kind, and the villain is bad simply because he enjoys doing bad things. Their arcs are predictable and uninspired. Nosferatu, however, surprised me. Ellen’s story and emotional struggles felt raw and genuine, and I couldn’t help but sympathize with her. Her fate deeply affected me, leaving a lingering sadness and even a touch of depression.
Friedrich, despite being a secondary character in this story, had, in my opinion, the most tragic fate of all. He was a loyal friend and a dependable companion, yet for all his kindness, he lost everything—including, in the end, his life. Every actor perfectly embodied their role. Not once did I feel annoyed or disconnected from any of the characters. The performances were superb across the board. Fantastic work!
Nosferatu 2024 -Lily-Rose Depp shows us really strong, deep and tragic woman character on a screen. Fantastic work!
Weaknesses
1) Pacing Issues
Since the film has a fairly long runtime, I noticed that the beginning pulled me in immediately with its atmosphere, fast-paced storytelling, and logical narrative flow. The ending, packed with drama and emotional weight, also left a strong impression. However, the middle portion felt somewhat stretched out, and I think some scenes could have been trimmed without hurting the overall experience.
The slower sections weren’t bad on their own, but certain dialogues felt overly drawn-out. Unfortunately, even though shortening these scenes might have improved the pacing, it could also disrupt the film’s narrative logic and weaken the emotional impact of the finale.
2) Unanswered Questions
By the end of the film, I found myself with a few lingering questions that the filmmakers chose to leave in the shadows. In one scene, Nosferatu refers to Ellen as a sorceress who does not belong to the human world. But why exactly does she possess the unique power to awaken an ancient evil? And what was it about her that so irresistibly drew the vampire to this mortal woman?
It’s strange that in all the centuries of his existence, no one before Ellen was able to wake him from his slumber. The true nature of her powers remains a mystery.
Another unanswered question for me was how Orlok managed to recruit Knock. We saw that Nosferatu’s primary ability was his mental influence, manipulating the minds of his victims. But how did he, out of millions of people, find the one madman willing to carry out his dark plans? Was it sheer luck or an immense supernatural force? The film never provides a clear answer.
3) Lack of Brutality
I understand that the film’s main focus was on character-driven drama and the complex relationship between an ancient evil, its obsession, and the humans caught in its grasp. However, for a story about a vampire, I would have liked to see more blood, more killings, and a greater display of Nosferatu’s power.
Unfortunately, Orlok comes across as frail, slow, and physically incapable of swift or violent action. Instead, he relies on psychological torment, bending his victims’ will to his own. While this approach works for the film’s eerie atmosphere, it also makes Nosferatu feel less menacing than I had hoped.
Nosferatu 2024 - Bill Skarsgård once again shown us that he can handle with any villain on a screen.
In conclusion, this film turned out to be a true revelation for me. Based on the trailer, I expected something in the vein of Van Helsing—packed with action, an epic hunt for an ancient evil, and a grand final battle where the forces of good triumph over Nosferatu. Instead, what I got was a deeply narrative-driven story about the fate of young Ellen, who found herself alone against the darkness yet managed to break free and embrace her love for Thomas.
The storytelling is filled with mysteries and subtle yet meaningful plot twists. The film leans heavily on drama and character motives, making you think about why each character acts as they do rather than just focusing on action—which, as you've probably gathered by now, is in short supply.
I would recommend this film to those who enjoy sitting back and immersing themselves in a tale of drama, intertwined fates, and emotional depth—those who like to make predictions and genuinely empathize with what’s unfolding on screen. However, if you're looking for a fast-paced film filled with blood, action, and quick storytelling, Nosferatu may feel slow, stretched out, or even dull.
That said, compared to the films released in recent years, Nosferatu stands a step above, offering a richer, more complex, and immersive experience than most modern productions. This tragic love story between a mortal woman and an ancient evil will not leave you indifferent.
Thank you for your time and attention—see you in the next reviews!
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