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Film enthusiasts will recognize "Nosferatu" as a new take on the 1922 silent film directed by F. W. Murnau. This latest version, however, is said to be artistically flawed and morally unrestrained.
The movie, set in 1838 Germany, features Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), who harbors a secret past connecting her to the vampire Nosferatu (Bill Skarsgard). The vampire plans to reconnect with Ellen by purchasing a manor in her hometown. Unwittingly aiding this scheme is Ellen's husband, Thomas (Nicholas Hoult), a novice real estate agent working for Herr Knock (Simon McBurney), who is secretly allied with Count Orlock.
As the story unfolds, Ellen's friends Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Anna (Emma Corrin) Harding seek help from Dr. Wilhelm Sievers (Ralph Ineson) and his mentor Professor Von Franz (Willem Dafoe), an occult expert. Despite their efforts, the threat remains significant.
Directed by Robert Eggers, the film begins with restraint but becomes increasingly graphic both in violence and erotic content. The dialogue shifts between old-fashioned lyricism and artificiality.
John Mulderig of OSV News describes "Nosferatu" as eventually going off ethical rails towards a conclusion muddled by Von Franz's metaphysics.
The film includes skewed values, gory violence, strong sexual content including nudity, and mild oaths. OSV News classifies it as morally offensive while the Motion Picture Association rates it R — restricted for those under 17 without an adult guardian.
John Mulderig reviews media for OSV News and can be followed on X @JohnMulderig1.
