‘Tis the season to be … bloodsucking.
Reviews already suggest thatdirectorRobert Eggers upcoming remake ofNosferatuis terrifying and on par with his previous three acclaimed films.
In homage to all things vampire, fans should give credit where its due to the original fanged menace.
Image via Focus Features
And no, its notBram StokersDraculaor even the lesser knownSheridan Le FanusCarmilla.
The curious and fright-fanatic alike should take a deep dive into this obscure book of the horror canon.
All the classic tropes that have defined the vampire genre can be found in it.
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.
Bringing cloves of garlic with you would be advised.
In the novella, Lord Ruthven is introduced as a mysterious aristocrat whose physical appearance distinguishes him.
He is described as having a “dead grey eye” and “deadly hue of his face.”
These traits operate asthe foundation of nearly all vampires.
A decade later,Bela Lugosimade Dracula famous in American cinema with his portrayal of the vampire inTod Browning’sDracula.
His appearance is both aristocratic and deathly.
And, of course, no modern vampire comparison is complete without mentioning …Twilight.
Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), too, is characterized by an unnatural paleness.
All four movies base the vampire’s appearance on the descriptions found in Polidori’s novella.
As the plot develops, he gradually begins to perceive Ruthven forthe true villain he is.
In the originalNosferatu,Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) meets Count Orlok at his manor in Transylvania.
He quickly suspects Orlok of villainy but is powerless to combat him.
Hutter can only bear witness to the terror Orlok spreads.
Similarly, in Browning’sDracula,Renfield (Dwight Frye) is a naive witness to Dracula’s treachery.
He arrives at the castle and is initially charmed by Dracula’s eccentric personality.
However, he is eventually bitten by Dracula and becomes a slave to him.
These characters bear the imprint of Aubrey, though they differ in their development.
Some for better,others for worse.
