Nosferatu First Reactions: A devilishly seductive, deeply chilling horror masterpiece

Robert Eggers and Nosferatu are a match made in heaven (and hell), according to critics who have seen the new film. The writer and director of The witch, The lighthouseAnd The Northman is back with a remake of FW Murnau’s 1922 horror classic, which in turn was based on Bram Stoker’s Draculaand the initial reactions on social media are glowing with joy. Some say it’s Eggers’ best yet. Some say it’s one of the best films of the year. Everyone says Lily-Rose Depp delivers an outstanding performance. This sounds like another must-see film.

Here’s what critics say Nosferatu:

Has Robert Eggers created another masterpiece?

The film is absolutely spectacular.
– Jordan Hoffman, Fangoria

Nosferatu is a knockout.
– Germain Lussier, io9.com

I loved Nosferatu.
-Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times

A masterful, unnerving, creepy gothic horror of the highest order.
– Rodrigo Perez, The Playlist

Robert Eggers continues his impressive streak of producing highly detailed and compelling period films Nosferatuone of the most seductively macabre films of all time.
– Matt Neglia, Next Best Film

Nosferatu exceeds the hype.
– Griffin Schiller, FilmSpeak

Robert Eggers Nosferatu is a historical delight, a fantastic horror story, exquisitely directed and efficiently told.
– Anne Thompson, Diversity

An excellently made film and great sound design, coupled with a haunting score.
– Jazz Tangcay, variety show

First class filmmaking. The score, production design, costumes, makeup and cinematography are, as always with Eggers films, masterful.
– Gregory Ellwood, The Playlist

Beautiful and terribly brilliant. I’m a fan.
–Clayton Davis, Variety

(Photo by Aidan Monaghan/©Focus Features)

Where does that come from? Nosferatu Rank among Eggers’ films?

Robert Eggers’ best film.
– Rodrigo Perez, The Playlist

Nosferatu = my favorite Robert Eggers.
– Tomris Laffly, Diversity

Eggers made perhaps his best feature.
– JimmyO, JoBlo’s Movie Network

Egger’s safest work, in which you can feel his obsessions in every nocturnal image.
– Jordan Raup, The Film Stage

The guy is currently clearing his throat in the cinema. He hasn’t started singing yet and I like all his numbers.
–Clayton Davis, Variety

Not my favorite Eggers, but still excellent.
– Germain Lussier, io9.com

It might be Robert Eggers’ most accessible film.
– Andrew J. Salazar, discussing film

Nosferatu is unfiltered Robert Eggers. He fits the material well, allowing it to breathe in a way that may test impatient viewers but rewards those willing to get on his wavelength.
– Joey Magidson, Awards Radar

(Photo by Aidan Monaghan/©Focus Features)

Is this one of the best films of the year?

Certainly one of the best of the year.
– Griffin Schiller, FilmSpeak

It is one of the best films of this year. Unforgettable!
– JimmyO, JoBlo’s Movie Network

It is one of the most beautiful films of this year.
– David Crow, Den of Geek

Nosferatu goes HARDER than any other horror film this year. Holy shit. A beautiful grotesque full of terrible horrors and a divine, dark joy.
—Courtney Howard, Variety

Not only one of the best horror films of the year, but also the hottest!
– Andrew J. Salazar, discussing film

Admittedly, I didn’t leave Robert Eggers Nosferatu I think it will end up on my Best of 2024 list, but there is an incredible level of passion on screen.
– Eric Eisenberg, CinemaBlend

(Photo by ©Focus Features)

How does it compare to the other versions of the story?

Robert Eggers delivers a perfect remake.
– Jazz Tangcay, variety show

Eggers delivers a viciously sinister reimagining of the iconic legend… If you love Coppola’s horny fever dream Draculayou will love it.
– Griffin Schiller, FilmSpeak

Nosferatu includes stunning homages to Murnau’s masterpiece with thoughtful thematic artistry.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

Robert Eggers digs deep into the native soil beneath Nosferatu and Dracula and finds the cruel (but perversely alluring) core of this creature’s appeal. He also turns THE vampire story into a Jungian tragedy.
– David Crow, Den of Geek

A bold and stunning new vision of this iconic story.
– JimmyO, JoBlo’s Movie Network

What a fascinating way to approach a remake.
– Andrew J. Salazar, discussing film

Although it spices up the sexual subtext of the original, people shouldn’t expect an Af-Kfest from this thing.
– Jordan Hoffman, Fangoria

(Photo by Aidan Monaghan/©Focus Features)

Is it scary?

It is a deeply frightening nightmare that will last a long time.
– Griffin Schiller, FilmSpeak

Nosferatu is a creepy eye-catcher. A film that wastes no time digging its claws out and making evil feel inescapable.
– Perri Nemiroff, Collider

An atmospheric, gothic-EROTIC horror with sharp teeth – grabs you by the throat, takes its time.
– Tomris Laffly, Diversity

Disgusting and strange, but also classically haunting.
– Joey Magidson, Awards Radar

Devilishly bloody and grotesque.
– Jazz Tangcay, variety show

Bloody, scary, driving, with a touch of devilish humor.
– Germain Lussier, io9.com

Nosferatu is a hypnotic, psychosexual nightmare.
– Andrew J. Salazar, discussing film

Nosferatu the paralyzing fear is fully realized.
–Clayton Davis, Variety

“Count Orlok” by Bill Skarsgård is pure fuel for an eerie nightmare.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

[Its] The breathtaking final shot gave me chills as I left the theater.
– Matt Neglia, Next Best Film

(Photo by Aidan Monaghan/©Focus Features)

Is there anything interesting to say?

It’s strangely comforting to see a film this week that seems to have been conjured from the darkest depths of pure evil.
– Jordan Raup, The Film Stage

It also illustrates Eggers’ exploration of evil as an elemental force, as inherent to existence as desire, and arising from the same divinity as goodness. It is so inextricably linked to us that fighting it requires great sacrifice.
-Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times

(Photo by ©Focus Features)

Are there any standout performances in the film?

All of the performances are top notch, with Bill Skarsgard disappearing into Orlok to the point where all you see is an entity. Nicholas Hoult brings a sense of desperate pathos to the role of Harker/Hutter. But this is really Lily-Rose Depp’s film. Her possession scenes need to be SEEN.
– David Crow, Den of Geek

Between this and Juror #2Nicholas Hoult is awesome. Bill Skarsgård…you have to see it for yourself. But the main attraction for me is Lily-Rose Depp.
– Tomris Laffly, Diversity

Lily-Rose Depp’s performance is quite captivating.
– Jazz Tangcay, variety show

Lily-Rose Depp is AMAZING!
– Griffin Schiller, FilmSpeak

Lily-Rose Depp and Bill Skarsgard are out of this world.
– Jordan Raup, The Film Stage

Lily-Rose Depp is fantastic as the woman at the center and Bill Skarsgard’s vampire is completely unique and down to earth.
– Germain Lussier, io9.com

Skarsgård continues to prove that he is an unparalleled actor. Hoult delivers a great work, combining sheer terror with a palpable love that drives his character. McBurney is incredibly compelling as Knock, pointing to the evil on the horizon. And then there’s Depp, an absolute powerhouse who brilliantly paves her character’s exhilarating path into darkness.
– Perri Nemiroff, Collider

Lily-Rose Depp gives her full body weight to this breathtaking performance of tortured obsession, while Count Orlok’s overall portrayal is so utterly captivating every moment he’s on screen that his presence is felt even when he’s is not there.
– Matt Neglia, Next Best Film

Bill Skarsgård is menacing while Lily-Rose Depp is haunting. Every movie is automatically updated simply because Willem Dafoe is in it.
–Clayton Davis, Variety

Lily-Rose Depp is great. Willem Dafoe is having a lot of fun.
– Gregory Ellwood, The Playlist

Lily Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult’s best work to date.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

(Photo by Aidan Monaghan/©Focus Features)

How does it look?

Beautiful.
– JimmyO, JoBlo’s Movie Network

From the cinematography to the sets… I was completely blown away – it’s absolutely amazing.
– Darren Scott, SFX Magazine

Robin Carolan’s haunting compositions, Jarin Blaschke’s painterly cinematography and Craig Lathrop’s inspired production design enhance its terrible atmospheric appeal.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

Is it an Oscar contender?

An important player below the line. Could it crack Best Picture? Hmmmmm. Rose Depp has a chance in a crowded supporting actress race.
– Gregory Ellwood, The Playlist

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