Nosferatu has arrived, and with Bill Skarsgård slipping under the skin of Count Orlok, audiences are treated to a haunting portrayal of the iconic vampire. The film, directed by Robert Eggers, hit theaters on Christmas Day, offering viewers both terror and artistry as it reimagines the 1922 silent classic of the same name.
Skarsgård, known for his chilling performance as Pennywise the Clown in It, brings to life Count Orlok with something more than just makeup and costume. "I never felt like the character until I had everything on—full makeup and full costume," Skarsgård explained during interviews with Entertainment Weekly. The rigorous transformation includes heavy prosthetics, painstaking character study, and vocal training to modify his voice for the role. Skarsgård dropped his voice by an entire octave, working with an opera coach to develop Orlok's unsettling tone.
During early camera tests, Skarsgård felt the pressure of fully embodying the character. "There's no audio, just the camera, candles, and me sitting there," he described, noting how he was both excited and terrified. He vividly recalls the moment director Eggers recognized his transformation, stating, "Yeah, there he is." Yet the process was not without moments of self-doubt; he admitted, "I looked like the f---ing Grinch or a f---ing goblin" before he fully donned the character's makeup.
Eggers had frequently contemplated his vision for Nosferatu, conceptualizing Orlok as not merely a vampire but as something more akin to the undead sorcerer—a lich. He dedicated years to ensuring his depiction strayed from the typical vampire tropes. One notable aspect was the mustache on Orlok, which Eggers deemed integral for historical accuracy, emphasizing, "No matter what, there’s no way this guy can’t have a mustache." This feature was part of Eggers' commitment to crafting a portrayal rooted deeply within folklore and cultural accuracy.
Eggers elaborated on his intention, stating, "To try to make a more scary vampire than we’ve had in quite some time, I went back to the folklore... the vampire of folklore is a putrid, walking undead corpse." This dedication culminated in the film's distinctive character design—skull-like facial features with protruding cheekbones, decaying skin, and, of course, the prominent mustache.
Despite the film being drenched in terror, Skarsgård revealed the emotional toll the character exacted upon him. "After we finished, I thought, 'I never want to play something this evil again.' I was overwhelmed by how deeply I delved during the role," he confessed during his interview with Empire. Orlok's portrayal demanded not just physical transformation but immersed Skarsgård wholly, affecting him long after filming concluded.
Scholars of horror where it all began suggest the vampire's eternal allure stems from its embodiment of various fears. The character, bubbling with urges both romantic and predatory, poses the eternal question: what is our fascination with the monstrous? Skarsgård's Orlok embodies this tragic yet malignant charm, standing as the very antithesis of traditional heroism.
Critics have praised Skarsgård's ability to ground the character's supernatural qualities with genuine emotion. Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent highlighted how Skarsgård’s transformation makes Orlok both seductive and terrifying, saying, “Skarsgård’s transformation... is too genuine a surprise to spoil here.” This duality adds rich layers to the character as he navigates the fine line between horror and humanity.
Collaboration with his co-stars, including Lily-Rose Depp, brought added depth to the character. Skarsgård admired how Depp’s raw talent complemented his performance, adding vivid realism to the gothic terror. He stated, “It’s not easy, and seeing how she could turn it on every time was inspiring.”
Eggers’ dedication to his craft and authentic portrayal invites the audience to reconsider the lore surrounding vampires, probing deeply within literary and artistic interpretations. His Nosferatu ponders the eternal themes of obsession and decay wrapped within visual spectacle.
After years spent developing this film, the anticipation has culminated, and audiences have met the ancient and formidable Count Orlok on-screen. Skarsgård's performance, coupled with Eggers' visionary approach, has breathed new life—and unsettling terror—into the vampire genre. For viewers seeking both fright and artistry, the film's arrival heralds the return of classic horror, one expounding the depth of its monstrous lead.
Nosferatu is now showing in theaters, offering moviegoers the chance to witness Skarsgård’s breathtaking transformation as Count Orlok firsthand, marking yet another chapter within the legacy of cinematic horror.
