Mark Kermode reviews Nosferatu - Kermode and Mayo's Take
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- Опубліковано 2 січ 2025
- #MarkKermode #SimonMayo #FilmReviews
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
To hear more, follow Kermode and Mayo's Take wherever you get your podcasts: listen.sonymus...
I think it’s very interesting that Isabelle Adjani played Lucy/Ellen in Herzog’s Nosferatu, but Lily Rose-Depp seemed to be more inspired by her performance in Possession.
That's one crazy good flick.
I love Isabelle Adjani.
well, her performance in Possession is much better than her performance in Herzog’s Nosferatu
Possession is a major influence on this film, I think
The whole movie is drenched in Zulawski influences. The village scene reminded me of Diabel, and the final scene felt a lot like Anna embracing the monster in Possession.
Our inflated "here's the thing" lands at 4:52. And a happy new year.
Cheers, HNY!🎉
Not all heroes wear capes
A positive "Here's the thing" thankfully!
A Positive Kermode review to start the year.
Good work lads!!!
Max Shreck was also the name of Christopher Walken's character in Batman Returns
A nod to the German Expressionist influence on Burton and his version of Batman, I'm sure.
And the Ogre "Shreck"
There's also a scene in Batman Returns that seems to be a nod to the Masque of the Red Death sequence from The Phantom of the Opera (1925).
The whole of Batman Returns was a tribute to German Expressionism. Max Shreck resembles Rotwang from Metropolis (or Dr Mabuse!) and his office that of Joh Fredersen from the same film. The Penguin looks a lot like Dr Caligari, mixed with Graf Orlock's facial features. Selina Kyle is much like Maria from Metropolis and, after her 'resurrection', she resembles the disguised robot version of Maria. It's great fun spotting the all the references.
I get a kick out of the fact that Nick Hoult played Renfield in Nick Cage's vampire send up movie is a hoot.
I still prefer the 1979 Herzog version but this new film was very, very good. It wasn't quite what I expected from Robert Eggers, which was surprising. Also, the voice of Orlok was incredible. All the cast was excellent. A future classic.
I've always wondered what a Stanley Kubrick version would have been like.
No one ever gets the whitby section right. The subtle gothic element of whitby adds so much yet it gets turned into a boring stormy beach every time
Totally, every time I tell my mum about another vamp film she asks is Whitby in it. And it’s such a disappointment it’s not used, specially for all the Goths that go there, would be great to have it in a vamp film
I can’t wait to rewatch, his films really reveal themselves upon repeat viewings
I love the Northman. It deserves revisiting.
I thought it was great too! Simple story maybe lacking in substance but was constantly entertaining and a visual and audio feast!
I personally prefer it to nosferatu, though nosferatu was also incredible
People forget, or didn't know, that Bill Skarsgard also played the "boy" in season one of Castle Rock and he absolutely stole that show too. His ability to conjure unnatural, alien behaviours in human form is outstanding.
Bill Skarsgard absolutely killed it as Count Orlok. What a performance! 🔥
No
How insightful @@bobsbigboy_
Indeed
@@nox5870 Nandor
I love Kinski as Nosferatu, it’s totally underrated with a good twist at the end!
Kinski's Nosferatu is always looking like he is not sure if God (or the audience) is watching him, judging him, looking the other way, has forsaken him, or doesn't even exist...
... which is a very interesting German motif for a time when that question would have been appropriate to the cultural question of Germany after WWII, Communism etc.
I'm very grateful my local cinema is screening this in 35mm. Can't wait to check it out.
Went last night to the Music Box in Chicago, ehich had a 35 mm print. Blown away.
The crowd for the showing after I got out was around the block.
Nice to hear that it was made on film.
I saw it last week. It looks incredible and I can already tell that I want to see it again
Already.
I adored The Lighthouse but man, that and Uncut Gems in a day. Quite a feat of endurance!
Uncut Gems was such a gripper. Must rewatch. Thanks for the reminder!
I first saw this movie in a theater where the projection wasn't so great and the dark scenes (of which there are many) were too murky. Here in NYC all the best screens in the multiplex have been monopolized by the big holiday blockbusters and kiddie movies. So I went to see it again at an Alamo Drafthouse theater that hadsexcellent projection and it was a far better experience. I liked the movie even more upon second viewing. I may even see it again before it leaves the theater. It's beautiful to look at, and the performances are all terrific.
Watched it earlier today totally blown away by the performances particularly Lily Rose Depp, the cinematography was amazing too
That final shot of Orlok, my word.
I did too. It was a great final image of the artistic motif that ran throughout the film: The Danse Macabre. The last image was another wonderful entry into the art library of “Death and the Maiden”. Eggers is so deep.
I thought it was a great goth horror movie, an excellent adaptation, but oddly tame for a Robert Eggers film.
Saw it today and thought the same
8:15 The Northman was a mess?! Really?! I thought it was one of the best films of that year.
Agreed. I thought it was great, closest thing to seeing an Icelandic saga on screen.
Agreed, the Northman was very good and showed subverting expectations done correctly, specifically how low key it keeps the film.
It's not some civil war or a quest to reclaim a kingdom, it's just a revenge story, pure and simple.
Looked stunning, stopped there like
Nah The Northman didn't land for me at all. I really couldn't get into it, found it dull.
I really enjoyed it too. But… other options are available.
The opening scenes with Orlock in his castle were fantastic
Robert Eggers is one of my favorite directors, but I must admit, I was a tad bit disappointed in Nosferatu. Perhaps my expectations were too high going into it?? The pacing was just so slow and I found the dialogue to be quite unengaging a lot of the time. It looked beautiful, some amazing dark and gothic imagery. I thought Lilly-Rose Depp was solid, although I would have preferred to see Anya Taylor-Joy in that role. Loved Bill and I hope he only does horror going forward! It just suits him so well. I am definitely going to watch Nosferatu again soon and I have a feeling that my second viewing is going to be more fulfilling. And the Northman rocks, Mark! I heard Eggers might do a remake of Labyrinth?? That would be so COOL!
I'm in total agreement with your assessment. My expectations were probably too high also.
It is reassuring to not be alone in this thought, I too may have exaggerated the movie internally but enjoyed it nonetheless.
1:27 "Eerily similar"?! A count hires a real estate agent to sell him land in a city, then captures said agent, travels to the city to steal his woman, and is then hunted by a "professor" vampire hunter... yep, totally original story 😂😅
My favorite film of 2024. Such an overwhelming experience seeing this on the screen. You can just tell this is a passion project for Eggers. Sheer perfection.
It's a combination between this, Dune Part 2, and Alien Romulus which are all great films!
@@OttoWatt9000 Dune 2 is, Romulus is hardly good, never mind great. Poor cast and things fall apart, I felt.
Holdovers, Dune 2, The Substance for top 3 of 2024.
@@OttoWatt9000 Haven't seen Romulus, but Dune Part 2 is second on my list. To be fair, I haven't seen any of the Academy darlings like Conclave and others that will be nominated for Best Picture, but that doesn't always mean I'm going to like them.
@@brandonsmith9098 Watch Alien Romulus! It’s great! Don’t listen to the second guy as he has NO idea on what he’s saying. The plot isn’t the most unique but it’s heavily elevated from the masterful direction and amazingly immersive world, aesthetics, tension, atmosphere, fleshing out world building, new horror elements and characters! It’s easily the THRID best Alien movie as it IS truly great and the WHOLE cast is spot on and absolutely NOTHING about the movie “fALl APaRt” in anyway as he badly say in ANY way as the movie is MASTERFULLY gorgeous and extremely well done for a sci-fi horror TO be and a great addition to the alien franchise! lol what a joke!
@@brandonsmith9098 Watch Alien Romulus! It’s great! Don’t listen to the second guy as he has NO idea on what he’s saying. The plot isn’t the most unique but it’s heavily elevated from the masterful direction and amazingly immersive world, aesthetics, tension, atmosphere, fleshing out world building, new horror elements and characters! It’s easily the THRID best Alien movie as it IS truly great and the WHOLE cast is spot on and absolutely NOTHING about the movie “fALl APaRt” in anyway as he badly say in ANY way as the movie is MASTERFULLY gorgeous and extremely well done for a sci-fi horror TO be and a great addition to the alien franchise! lol what a bad joke his comment is as Alien Romulus IS great and NOT at all “hArDly gOoD” as he badly says here in the slightest as the movie has MORE than proven to be more than that!
i liked how the villagers didnt speak in cornish accents,like in old hammer movies,dont gup there sir,for up there be the castle of count dracular
That always reminds me of the Roman guards in in "I Claudius'.
The British love to divide classes by accident.
I’m Cornish, I think you’ll find that’s ‘Dracklier’
I appreciated how much attention was given to the local Romani people living around the castle.
Rhotic accents in the UK were a lot more common. The Cornish accent is a Rhotic accent. We've lost a lot of them but Cornwall retains theirs. So its not being a cornish accent but a Rhotic one.
@@melanierhiannaThey were still pretty scarce in Wallachia.
I agree 100% on Mark, especially on the topic of Rose-Depp's Helene as the "culprit" for the appearance of Nosferatu: all stems from her, which has a "gift" that may be more frightening than Orlock's himself, and she doesn't even realize it until the end when she does what she does to save the day.
Stellar photograpy and sound effects (that blood-suckling/gulping sound is creepy as hell). It must be seen in cinemas.
And as Mark said, i also had a lot of fun seeing it too. It has been a while since a movie made me "feel it" like Nosferatu
We have extremely different definitions of a romp
Pure art cinema
Mesmerising baroque gothic dream
Greetings from
Croatia
Mesmerising baroque gothic dream...Very nice words. Very nice. GREAT description. Thanks!
Oh, wow, I loved 'The Northman'. I can't say I see any mess. Felt quite organic to me; I really engaged with it emotionally (Amleth's sad purpose in life, sob), loved the cultural depth of the world(s), the drive of the main character, but then again I love what Eggers and co did to convert the source material to the film's unique adaptation/interpretation.
I think it's definitely his weakest film. All of his films are great, but The Northman felt less focused than the others. It's a bit all over the place.
@@KozMc agreed, I loved the Northman as well. The village looting scene was truly horrifying
@@neantibi I’d say Nosferatu is his weakest film tbh
@ I haven’t seen it yet but I preemptively refuse to believe that 😅 I’m genuinely excited to see it
Same here. I genuinely think The Northman is his best film & a total masterpiece. But then I LOVE medieval epic sagas and mythology. It’s perhaps the best version of a medieval epic type of story put to screen. All heroes journey and magical realism - just genius. It’s the marketing around that film that let it down and coloured many people’s opinions on it. The film itself does exactly what it’s meant to do AND THEN SOME.
Looks like Mark enjoyed it, I personally think it's now my least favorite Eggers movie, at least story-wise
Orlok was SO creepy in this. Like everything about him made your skin crawl. I also like how he was basically a walking plague.
Lily-Rose Depp acts her ass off here. I hope that this is a breakout role for her.
Dafoe, Nicholas Hoult, and ATJ are all predictably really good. Thomas is also a much more strong willed and proactive character here than he was in the original.
The cinematography and sound mixing is phenomenal.
Etc,
Well said!
I love the Herzog version. Like I REALLY love that film so I'm a bit iffy about seeing this one with such a level of expectation I don't want to be disappointed.
Looking forward to this! Quite possibly one of the most anticipated films of 2024/2025. Happy New Year to Mark, Simon and everyone on the team!
Saw it yesterday. Enjoyed every minute.
Came away from seeing this tonight.
I was impressed, but honestly, still processing.
It was interesting to watch the audience as the lights came up; there was a...what, a stillness, a subdued air that I've not seen before, a lot of perplexed expressions.
I've been a fan of the vampire sub-genre for years. This is the first recent vampire film I've seen for a while that I really enjoyed, but I'm still not sure what I make of it.
Murnau's original is one of my favourite films of all time, let alone of the genre. Does Skarsgard replace Shreck in my affections? I don't think so. Did he do justice to the character? Absolutely.
All around, the cinematography was gorgeous but I particularly loved the way that Orlok was kept in the shadow.
Even so, I'm still processing.
Knowing and loving the story, it was a joy to see each beat of the tale being hit, like hearing a favourite melody played with new orchestration. But there were moments of such jarring grotesqueness that it was at times difficult to watch.
Yet like Orlok's victims, I couldn't look away.
I think this is one that's going to be stewing in the back of my mind for a while. I don't know that I'm in a rush to watch it again, but I am glad that I saw it.
Cannot wait to see this, the subject and team involved already had me interested but some of the commentary here pushed this to "must see in cinema".
Thanks
Conversely, after hearing so much positive hype about it, I was very surprised by how much I DIDN'T enjoy it.
@@arthurlevine1840 it’s all good. Fast and Furious 18 will be out in no time!
@@arthurlevine1840 same - thought it was convoluted and unintentionally hilarious at points
I sat in a full audience today, no one reacted to anything in the story. It looked good enough but lacked real tension and wasn't at all disturbing.
I thought The Northman was brilliant. 😅
Same. Whci probably means youll hate this by the sounds of it.
I as well. Speaking as a student of history, I love the fact that Eggers does such meticulous research of language, dialogue, dress, religious, and cultural norms from different time periods for his films. That enables him to put his audience into as accurate a historical fiction as he can and I love him for it. Eggers has cemented himself as one of my favorite creators and I want him to keep up that passion.
@@robmoore8909 I agree. 👍
I absolutely love Robert Eggers
I can't be the only one who misheard Kermode saying "Rammstein" when talking about the author of Dracula?
Chuffed that I had the candles/Barry Lyndon thought while watching it - as a German, I loved all the cultural references, Schubert, Caspar David Friedrich, even the kitsch painter Spitzweg, from the Biedermeier era? It made me think a lot of the rise of the bourgeoisie after the clash of Enlightenment and Romanticism. Eggers really made the most of Murnau's 1838 setting, not just the costumes and interiors, but the philosophies and mindset.
I found this one to be a slog. There were interesting ideas and a few fun set pieces, but I found it to be opposite of what Dr. Kermode said in terms of the female character having agency. She was a sacrificial victim.
Great point about her agency in the film - something I really noted when I watched it.
Saying the Northman was a mess is presenting one of it's best qualities as a negative. Same with the Lighthouse being too tough going, it was incredibly refreshing and great exactly because of how tough going it was. If anything it could have been even more heavy. Now I'm scared to watch Nosferatu cause it might be too correct and movie-like in comparison :P
Yeah I love all Eggars films, I wasn’t really into Nosferatu l. It was ok.
It frustrates me that I can't articulate why I don't like the Northman. But I absolutely adored Nosferatu. My favorite of his filmography so far.
I love Egger's movies, except The Northman. I'm not sure what these guys mean by 'mess' I just found that movie very generic, and forgettable, but I think I had expectations of a similar movie to 'Valhalla Rising' (a better movie imo). The Lighthouse imo is absolutely perfect, except for the format, I really wish he didn't shoot it in the 4:3 aspect ratio, I understand his reasons for that, but I think it was a bad decision.
Eggers' Nosferatu was technically great but overall conventional. If you're expecting it to have an experimental edge like The Lighthouse, you'll be disappointed.
WTF are you talking about…. Respectfully
The original Dracula had a mustache. I thought it was a great way to pay homage to the original vision.
Maybe so but it was a mistake adding a big mustache to Orlok,,looked like The Last Days of Freddy Mercury
Anyone know where to find the Kim Newman stuff?
Writing an essay on the Original, Herzog and this version! Need the references lol.
He said it was published in Empire magazine, so I'd contact them to order a back issue
He writes lots of books and articles
Robert Eggers has done it again. Loved the atmosphere, the practical effects, the acting... This is beyond a great homage to the original film; a great exploration of the tragedy of love.
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise in It Chapter 2, in one scene was supposed to turn into Freddy Kruger. Maybe he should remake Elm Street !?
Great film. I found highly disturbing though. It got to me and not much usually does, I’ve seen it all. 8/10
great! will watch on Thursday
I think Mark needs to read the book, because I'd say that Ellen has considerably less agency in this movie than Mina does in Stoker's book.
My point exactly. I am not impressed by Kermode's critique. It seems lazy and relies on conversations rather than direct experience of the book or the film. No Mina = not getting to Dracula in time.
I thought it was pretty good. I would say that characters shaking and being frozen with fear happened too often. Maybe that was meant to be like a sleep paralysis metaphor with how much dreaming comes into play.
This was incredibly interesting and I loved the opinions shared on the cinematography and performances. Subscribed immediately.
Why do the lines "He fills his head with culture. He gives himself an ulcer" keep going through my head when I watch this?
I am always distracted by the Tangerine Dream Sorcerer album cover, wishing I’d not given mine away. Love these reviews btw. Always authentic and a great watch prior to watching said film. 😢
Saw this yesterday. I met Nicholas Hoult years ago when I was acting & directing one of his relatives. All the cast are good. Nick, Simon McBurney & Wilem Defoe in particular.. Lily Rose-Depp does well but does seems there was more the director could have brought out of her. There is a new addition to the plot has been added to the tradition of Nosferatu & it's unauthorised adaptation of Dracula that infuriated Stoker's widow. All those familiar with the 79 Herzog-Kinski version may enjoy how the ending is interpreted in this version.
The incredible performances by this cast and of course the production design and cinematography, costuming and friendly rats did it for me.
A Happy New Year to you and your nearest and dearest Gentlemen.
Happy New Year!
So many good reviews and for some reason the film distributor in Poland decided to screen it in FEBRUARY. What a joke.
Seen it a few hours ago. Looks great but came out underwhelmed. The creature is not a vampire per se but as Mark described an undead nobleman and it is a more interesting take of the Dracula mythology. Some of the casting for me didn't work. Got bogged down in the middle third and the ending is very relaxed. It comes across as more of a demented gothic romance. This has the same vibe as Joker and The Batman where it is more of a serious take on a subject than a dramatic action flick. It just lacks the spark that The Witch had but still an enjoyable cinema experience.
just got out from seeing this a few hours ago and completely agree. give me the gothic maximalism of bram stoker's dracula over this any day, even with keanu reeves' dodgy british accent
@@liamhicks547 One of the casting choices that didn't work for me was the husband. Robert Pattison because of his association with Egger might have been a better choice. Also preferred Anthony Hopkins effort. Again, still happy to have seen the film but a bit confused how some are raving about it
@@handlessbeggar11 The vampire as portrayed by Eggers is faithful to Eastern European folklore, which tended to figure the vampire as a blood-engorged, animated corpse
lads will you be doing the Brutalist? Just saw it last night and I am yet to find your take on it!
It hasn't opened in the UK yet, apparently. Due late January.
@@niallrichardcurran2466 I saw it about 2 was ago in the US, it was very good, abrupt ending though.
I'm going to see it tomorrow. Been looking forward to it for ages. The soundtrack album is brilliant.
It is not really scary, but personally I don’t think I’ve ever found any adaptation of DRACULA to actually be scary except maybe for a few moments in SALEM’S LOT but that was only slightly a Dracula story and I was a little kid when I saw it on television.
My favorite adaptation is the Coppola DRACULA film, and it was much more entertaining and more of a Gothic Romantic adventure - like the novel - than a horror movie. In fact, watching NOSFERATU, I felt it was much more similar to Coppola’s film than either the Murnau original from the silent era or the 70’s remake by Herzog.
In the end, it felt more tragic and melodramatic than horrifying and though Orlock might be the most disgusting and possibly dreadful depiction of a vampire on film, he was far from the most frightening. Nevertheless, it was a compelling performance and all the actors played their parts well - especially Depp and Dafoe.
You should see the crowds around the block at the Music box in Chicago. I went last night and was blown away.
Skarsgard is a modern day Lon Chaney senior. I couldn't believe he did that voice without having it manipulated by computer, but it's all him. So talented. All the cast was great.
Spoiler alert
Eggers and Depp incorporate a central stretch of Shelley's Frankenstein - Frankenstein has authored this situation, and the Creature demands he take responsibility and see it thru, and punishes him by taking his loved ones - Depp's Ellen is both the authoring Frankenstein and the desired Bride/prize, confronted by the Creature she has summoned, under the same ultimatum
- tho the moral framework is different - Shelley's book is a critique of negligent parenting; her Creature is an abandoned child who turns evil and malevolent thru neglect and abuse, and has a genuine claim on his parent to address his plight - Eggers' Orlok is not an abandoned child, but a lover who has been solicited then rejected, who demands that she sate this appetite of his that she's wilfully triggered
- both Shelley's Frankenstein and Eggers' Nosferatu interrogate the phenomenon of agency, the responsibility of the initiator to manage the outcome - in both cases, there's the question of the act of initiating itself being transgressive, a destabilizing kind of power, and the refusal to take responsibility then triggering a retaliation of ensuing chaos
- Frankenstein rejects his child's request for a companion, and is then unable to contain the ensuing chaos, which consumes him, then abates - Ellen rejects her lover's request to be his meal, but then relents in the face of the chaos he unleashes, but then uses her very acquiescence as a means of regaining control and closure
- so w Shelley, Frankenstein's decision initiates, and the Creature's decision to die brings closure - w Eggers, Ellen both initiates and resolves the crisis; her decision to die is what brings closure - she wins by accepting responsibility for her own agency
Will be either seeing this today or at the weekend. Sounds like a good winter film
I enjoyed the film quite a bit. Although it is quite exhausting. But I loved wintery gothic atmosphere. This will be a great movie to watch for future winter nights at home
Very Christmassy!
Nicely shot but a bit dull
Mayo can hardly contain his excitement 😱
when is he not like that?
I much prefer Herzog's version, but I am glad you had fun with Egger's version. I wish I did. Thank you for your review.
Does anyone know whether there's any information available about Max Schreck? I think I read somewhere that he was a poet, but I can't remember where that was.
My feelings about the different versions of NOSFERATU basically conform to how I tend to think about vampires in general:
The older they are, the better I like 'em.
"You don't belong with the living," Orlok tells Ellen in the extinct Dacian language at the film's beginning. This brief introduction conveys the entire narrative and its conclusion: she has made a pact with Orlok, sealing her fate to be with him forever. "I've never been so happy," she declares. From the start, she has been like a possessed somnambulist, merely waiting for Orlok to fulfill their union. What a beautiful poetic film, with Orlok looking like the decayed Vlad, the Impaler. Additionally, Eggers' research on folklore reveals vampires fucks their victims to death.
The Northman is my favourite film of the last 10 years so can't wait to see this one.
That they remade it at all is shades of Irma Vep, which is shades of Shadow of the Vampire, which is shades of...
Saw it last night - have to admit the "Hammer' reference chimed with me to the point where I nearly laughed out loud at some points. It wasn't hammy (excuse the pun) but I thought it wouldn't take much for it to be a parody. There was a scene of a pro[het railing against God and all that - REALLY reminded me of a similar scene in Life of Brian.
It's indeed very good, although I still prefer Werzog's film, which is for me the best Dracula/Nosferatu ever made. Lily Rose-Depp is incredible, all scenes with her are fantastic. And I agree with Mark that The Northman was a mess. Nosferatu brings Eggers back to his better days.
Great film. Maybe my favourite of his yet!
been waiting on this
Good visuals and sound design but very underwhelming with some ripe acting. 6/10.
I think my problem with it, for all its beauty and those two wonderful leads, I’ve seen this story so many times it holds no surprises. Also, why does Aaron Taylor Johnson keep getting work??
"Darkness visible". Milton, Wiĺiam Styron. I'm going have difficulty watching with medical issue plus Co Laois, Ireland. Interesting appraisal, as always.
@9:24 the dracula's character description in the original novel has a moustache. Also dont reveal the character look man a lot of the people still havent seen and its meant to be in secrecy.
I see The Witch (vvitch) and Nosferatu as being almost diametrically opposed in some way. The Witch is a slow burn. It is truly scary because of its realism and sublime understatement. There are actually very few scenes that overtly show witches. Whereas Egger's Nosferatu is over the top, lavish, spares no trope or expectation and feels fantastical from the start. I think "romp" is an accurate assessment. He obviously didn't intend for it to be scary, but more as a perfect Gothic fairytale? I'm still trying to decide whether I loved it or hated, but I can say with conviction that the Witch was a masterpiece.
Saw it this morning and it left me cold... Totally devoid of atmosphere with characters that i couldn't emotionally invest in and the central character of the vampire also deserved a right good scrub.
The whole affair is reminiscent of a stage play of amateur dramatics.
This tale has been told by other film makers far more effectively through the years.
It's pronounced "The Witch", the "VV" is just a stylized way of spelling it taken from 17th century writings.
This review is a good example of why Mark is the best film critic in the world.
Happy new year all you film buffs! Can’t wait to see this tomorrow!
Just got out of the theater… I enjoyed it, but I was a little disappointed… As others have mentioned, I think my expectations were too high. I also feel like there were a few things that were left on the table - there were few things that could’ve really played out… But the film was a good one, just not as daring as I had hoped.
Isn't max shrek in Batman Returns? 🤔
"Plaguey rats," brillliant
Agreed on the missed potential for The Lighthouse and The Northman.
Sounds a bit like VVitch looking forward to seeing it 👍
Bit ridiculous saying that Eggers Lucy/Ellen is so empowered and so much stronger than in Murnaus.
In Murnau's it was very simple, and she was way stronger than in this modern shouty version.
As she read in the book brought back by Jonathan Harker/Hutter: a pure woman can delay the vampire until dawn.
In this modern version she does exactly oh no whoops, sorry she can't. She's married. So Eggers has to make her super strong person oh no whoops, sorry, she has to collude with everyone now because unlike Murnau's where she does EVERYTHING by herself, even discovering how to destroy the vampire, she now has to have every one involved.
Mark, you're talking about her being empowered????
And in Murnau's of course her connection wasn't with Orlok: it was with Jonathan. She had scary premonitions of Jonathan in peril, and when Max loomed over him she had a lovely telepathic moment, which Orlok, being undead, connected with.
All Eggers has done is gone and seen Nosferatu, didn't bother actually watching it. Left with a bunch of spooky images in his mind then grabbed the gypsies and torches and got everyone all shouty and yabbery
Interesting but ultimately flawed take on Stoker's Dracula. Visually great, has true artistic merit, great cinematography, lovely costumes and an interesting idea for the 'Mina' character. The problem for me was that it was overly melodramatic and ended up neglecting the characters. Some of the performances felt like they were out of a stage play from the 1950's. Yes. you're doing a period piece but some of the dialogue and performances were verging on parody at times. This film has no likable characters so when they suffered the ultimate loses I was left completely cold. Even when people said 'I love you' and meant it I felt no genuine warmth at all. The person I was with has seen his other films and says he doesn't write 'human' or likeable characters. I've only seen this one, so...
The new idea they had was great but there wasn't enough contrast between the ok times and the awful times to have a dynamic that helps the audience gain the impact of the intense stuff. She started off a neurotic mess and.. kind of went somewhere? That's all i got. If she had started the film by being in recovery from a dark past but was now on the up and hopeful for her future before then descending back into her darkness and ultimately fulfilling her spiritual purpose and discovering her power and destiny (and that had actually been coherently explained to the audience rather than through underwhelming exposition scenes) it would have worked much better for me. We needed her character to be written better and the intensity to be dialed down a bit in places so it could just breath a bit and have some dynamics. In conclusion It is a pretty average/goodish play dressed up as beautiful and carefully made film that stand out moments are in it's visual intensity not it's characters personalities.
Watched it yesterday, I was bored and not too scared, laughed at the over the top performances and never got much invested in the predictable plot. It wasn’t for me. PS: also, the score is hideous!
Without giving spoilers, i think i need to go see it again as i felt there was a plot hole around the finale...
Watched this last night with my son 10 out of 10 marvellous
Helen is not a strong woman, it was her weakness which led her to seek Orlock’s comfort in the first place and cost the lives of everyone who died. In the end she simply accepted her responsibility, like an arsonist putting out a fire.