Robert Eggers’ upcoming film Nosferatu has stirred excitement and curiosity within the horror community, as it revives one of cinema’s oldest monsters, Count Orlok. The film, set to release on December 25, 2024, is based on the classic tale of obsession and horror, originally inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Eggers, noted for his successful horror direction, aims to present Orlok not just as another vampire but as a unique rendition of the iconic figure.
Keeping much of Orlok's design shrouded in secrecy has been pivotal to maintaining suspense. Eggers expressed the collaborative effort between Universal and Focus Features to restrict early looks at the character, stating, “Basically, we have a new look for the vampire and you want people to be excited and you want [the tension] to build.” This strategy harkens back to earlier monster films where the fear of the unknown often proved more frightening than the creature’s visual reveal.
The new Nosferatu promises to deliver fresh interpretations of horror, contrasting with the conventional image of vampires established by previous portrayals. Bill Skarsgård, famous for roles steeped in fear, takes on the role of Count Orlok, boasting a new look characterized by what has been described as “decaying skin” and “a bushy mustache.” This diverges starkly from the traditionally suave and charming depictions of vampires exemplified by earlier iterations of Stoker’s Dracula.
Eggers respects the classic folklore around vampires, noting, “It's nice to see, for me, personally, a vampire... looks like he could have been a Lord of Transylvania.” This folkloric approach embraces the darker, corpse-like aspects of the mythos visible through Orlok’s skeletal frame and terrifying demeanor, capturing the primal fear many associate with vampire folklore.
Both visually and thematically, the film draws upon the initial Nosferatu (1922), where Count Orlok introduced fear via his ominous, skeletal form. Eggers’ vision elaborates on Orlok’s storyline—he emerges as something more monstrous and eerie than the aristocratic figure seen historically. His character embodies the terror and darkness hidden within the magical realms of horror narratives, creating a dichotomy between seduction and pure animosity. While traditional cinematic vampires have often been romanticized, Orlok supposedly brings forth the “animalistic embodiment of bloodlust and vicious evil.”
This attempt to reinvent the vampire genre extends beyond sheer aesthetics; the film also revisits the creature’s feeding habits, with reports highlighting Orlok's choice to bite the chest rather than the neck. This alteration not only serves stylistic purposes but also remains faithful to traditional vampire beliefs rooted deep within folklore: vampires were once viewed as harbingers of death whose insatiable lust for blood provided the lifeblood of their own existence.
Orlok also contrasts remarkably with the Dracula archetypes popularized by Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee, known for their charm and sociability. Eggers' Count Orlok is presented as intimidating and creepy, highlighting the difference where, “Orlok is the opposite; he literally haunts each room he’s in.” Audiences can expect to engage with intriguing themes of horror, sexuality, and death as Eggers draws this deadly tableaus onscreen.
The director has cleverly incorporated shadows to visually echo this sense of foreboding, allowing the audience to share the characters’ fear and suspense. Notably, viewers may find themselves edified by fewer visible reveals of the titular monster—keeping Orlok’s revelations limited to maximum impact. Indeed, Eggers said, “you would probably want to keep [the look] a secret yourself,” highlighting both practical film strategies and thematic resonance.
Even as social media continues to serve as the platform for audiences to share their experiences and reactions, Eggers hopes viewers will respect the mystique of Nosferatu’s design and choose to keep their cell phones away. The film aims to instill surprise, nostalgia, and horror—elements at the heart of what makes vampire stories eternal.
By resurrecting Count Orlok for modern audiences, Robert Eggers prompts us to explore the shared bloodlines of the vampire genre and its foundational narratives, revitalizing what horror can both portray and mean. Through shadows, clever storytelling, and meaningful interpretations of the vampiric mythos, Nosferatu is well-poised to recalibrate audience perceptions and embrace the untamed terror festering within each beautifully sinister frame.