Ideally, a remake should have a creative intent beyond recycling familiar IPs.
2024’sNosferatu, writer-directorRobert Eggers passion project, isnt merelyhis love letterto directorF.
It isnt even just a decadent waking nightmare dripping withbreathtaking dread.
Image by Jefferson Chacon
Yet none ofEggers' alterationsare more transcendent than his crucial reframing of Ellen Hutter(Lily-Rose Depp).
How Does Focusing on Ellen Improve ‘Nosferatu’s Story?
Neither provides satisfactory insight into Ellen herself.
In Nosferatu, a reclusive vampire’s presence disrupts a small European village, drawing an unsuspecting young couple into a battle against an ancient evil. As fear spreads, the villagers must confront the terrifying legend and their own beliefs, leading to suspenseful confrontations and chilling revelations.
In Eggers’ update, Ellen’s bifurcated existence and her attunement to the supernatural facilitates the entire plot.
It feels like a natural choice to make Ellen the protagonist.
Leave it to Eggers, however, to unflinchingly go for the throat.
In Nosferatu, a reclusive vampire’s presence disrupts a small European village, drawing an unsuspecting young couple into a battle against an ancient evil. As fear spreads, the villagers must confront the terrifying legend and their own beliefs, leading to suspenseful confrontations and chilling revelations.
Who knew Count Orlok was such a prankster?
Everything about Ellen’s differences and her resulting isolation is inseparable fromNosferatu’speriod setting.
Be it the 1830s or the 1920s, religious propaganda depicted women’s sexuality as abhorrent and dangerous.
However, Ellen’s choices setNosferatuinto motion and carry its action through untilthat final frame.
In Murnau’s film, Ellen sacrifices her body toOrlok’s depravity.
Although the 2024 Ellen follows a similar trajectory, Eggers' subversive framing makes all the difference.
What better reason is there for a remake?
Nosferatuis playing in theaters now.
