Nosferatu, Robert Eggers

Left Image by anna Hanks, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

SUMMARY

  • Robert Eggers is known for gothic horror and he excels in dark, intricate storytelling.
  • Eggers' Nosferatu reimagines the 1922 classic with modern gothic elements, earning praise for its visuals but facing criticism for its simple narrative.
  • The filmmaker prefers to stick to his strengths and genre, and is currently not open to exploring mainstream projects.

Robert Eggers is back with Nosferatu, and we’re once again experiencing his unmatched flair for crafting atmospheric storytelling. The director has undoubtedly redefined the gothic horror genre, and helmed movies like The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, each with a different theme. 

Lilly Rose Depp with a teary-eyed smile in NosferatuLilly Rose Depp in Nosferatu | Studio 8

Eggers’ niche is eerie and authentic, and so is Nosferatu, where he’s reimagined an iconic 1922 silent film. But the director is quite particular about the projects he would like to contribute to, and rightfully so. So, let’s look at what Eggers has to say about his future prospects. 

Robert Eggers on the films he’ll never make

Robert Eggers in an interview with CBS Robert Eggers | CBS Sunday Morning / YouTube

Robert Eggers is known for making films that explore dark and intricate stories, and he does not want to deviate from his strengths. In a candid interview with Variety, the director was asked if he would be open to working on a more mainstream comedic movie or possibly something that does not belong to his niche, and Eggers said:

Aside from the fact that it wouldn’t appeal to me, why the f*ck would you want me to do that? There are things that I have skills in, so I should probably embrace those and continue to get better at them. Obviously you want to stretch yourself, but like I don’t want to do something I have no business doing.

Before that, he briefly spoke about his upcoming projects, revealing that he has “written a lot of scripts,” and is currently in the process of writing more. He was also self-aware enough to point out that he keeps lingering on the “same themes and tropes.” Therefore, it seems highly unlikely that the filmmaker will experiment beyond his genre, anytime soon. 

The haunting allure of Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu

William Dafoe wearing a vintage gray suit in Nosferatu. William Dafoe in Nosferatu | Studio 8

But we’re not complaining because Eggers is excellent at what he does with eerie stories! His latest film, Nosferatu, isn’t just a rehash, but a novel retelling that the contemporary audience would love. It stars Bill Skarsgård as the grotesque yet compelling vampire and Lily-Rose Depp as the tormented Ellen Hutter, and featuring gothic elements that are somewhat modern. 

Nosferatu has been praised by reviewers for being visually striking, and one of the most impressive horror films. The production design, attention to detail, and haunting performances, all add to the chilling intensity of the movie. 

However, the film has faced some criticism for its narrative because a few found it to be too simple. So, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea because the erotic and psychological undertones are way more prevalent than the original one. But you can’t deny that the Robert Eggers directorial is a masterclass in cinematography, elevated by his signature style. 

Nosferatu is currently in theatres.

NosferatuRobert Eggers

Written by Sonika Kamble

Articles Published: 391

Sonika thrives on her passion for cinema, artistic expression, and philosophical exploration. Every medium of storytelling intrigues her, and she can’t help but dissect the layers to unravel the deeper meaning behind an arc or a scene. She finds contentment in playing chess, vibing to background scores, and penning the next chapter of her book. Sonika is driven by the idea of being a dutiful and responsible human who dedicates herself to a task, regardless of the outcome—a principle she’s committed to upholding at FandomWire.