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Frightful ‘Nosferatu’ is a monstrous vampire chiller

AP photo
Chris Columbus, from left, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Robert Eggers, Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Scarsgard, and Nicholas Hoult arrive at the premiere of ‘Nosferatu’ on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

The weather outside might be frightful but seeing “Nosferatu” in the theater could certainly chill you to the bone. So, bring your heart and soul warmers to go with the one for your hands.

There was a similar title for an AMC television series (called “NOS4A2”) that lasted two seasons in 2019-20. It starred Zachary Quinto and there were moments where I was petrified. It involved more sorcery and witchcraft, with Quinto’s immortal character staying alive by feeding off the souls of children.

At any rate, this update of the 1922 silent vampire classic tells the gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

While that might not terrify you — it was for me as I’m not a scary movie kind of guy — the picturesque 19th century German town to the bleak mountain snowscapes leading to that imposing castle in Transylvania were as authentic as can be.

Director Robert Eggers, who wrote and directed the film, described being haunted since his youth by F.W. Murnau’s 1922 version. Eggers said he wanted to present a true vampire, meaning the original folk variety — the horrifying, ugly, venal sort. Not the seduce-you-in-a-dinner-jacket kind.

And certainly not the “Twilight” version who drinks only animal blood. Eggers’ vampire, Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), wants only human blood, preferably from a lovely damsel.

The damsel would be young wife Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), who is the focus of Orlok’s obsessive desires. The story begins in fictional Wisborg, located on the Baltic coast.

Ellen has just been married to the handsome Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), who hopes to land a job with a real estate firm. He accepts a job assignment, which sends him solo to wintry Transylvania.

Waiting for Hutter in the dark, lonely castle — the exteriors of which were actually filmed in Transylvania — is Orlok. The two get down to business, but Thomas cuts his finger and his blood awakens a thirst in Orlok. Hutter soon fears for his life and quickly exits the castle to get back to his wife.

Ellen is staying with Friedrich and Anna Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corrin), who are friends of the couple. Ellen experiences seizures and spells, which we learn is Orlok calling to her. The Hardings try to help but turn to an occult specialist Prof. Albin Eberhart von Franz (Willem Dafoe) when traditional medicine fails.

The movie’s inevitable conclusion has horror fans waiting for a climactic confrontation with Orlok and Ellen. It ends with a frightening table of a skeletal Orlok lying atop a drained Ellen. It was satisfying enough to make the 133-minute experience worthwhile. At least, I bite all of my fingernails.

The film is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for bloody violent content, graphic nudity and some sexual content.

Grade: B-

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Greg Williams is a reporter and Weekend Editor for The Sentinel. A Mifflin County native, he has been writing for The Sentinel since 1991.

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