Five Films That Inspired Robert Eggers’ Approach to Nosferatu

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As a seasoned gamer and cinephile who has traversed through countless digital realms and silver screens alike, I must say that Robert Eggers‘ “Nosferatu” is a cinematic journey that resonates deeply with my film-loving soul. This new take on the classic vampire tale is an intricate tapestry woven from Eastern European folklore, centuries of bloodsucking stories, and decades of vampire cinema, all skillfully crafted within Eggers’ signature dark aesthetic.

While Eggers has cited a myriad of influences on “Nosferatu,” some stand out more than others. F.W. Murnau’s original 1922 “Nosferatu” and Tod Browning’s 1931 “Dracula” are undeniably present, as are Jack Clayton’s “The Innocents,” Mel Brooks’ “Dracula: Dead and Loving It,” and Andrzej Żuławski’s “Possession.”

Eggers has openly acknowledged his indebtedness to Murnau’s original masterpiece, particularly in the depiction of Count Orlok’s (Bill Skarsgard) shadowy presence. The eerie seaside cemetery shots and the haunting moment when Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) first lays eyes on Orlok’s sarcophagus are also reminiscent of Murnau’s atmospheric world, albeit with Eggers’ own unique modern twists.

As for “Dracula,” Eggers drew inspiration from the opening shot of travelers passing through Transylvania’s Borgo Pass, a nod to Tod Browning’s classic adaptation. And let’s not forget Mel Brooks’ spoof, which played a crucial role in refining the script and helping Eggers identify moments that didn’t quite make sense.

In a fascinating twist, Lily-Rose Depp, who portrays Ellen Hutter, looked to Isabelle Adjani’s performance in “Possession” rather than her work on “Nosferatu the Vampyre” for inspiration, channeling the possessed demeanor of Adjani’s character from Żuławski’s film.

As I sat in the theater, immersed in Eggers’ latest offering, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought that, without Mel Brooks’ comedic take on vampires, “Nosferatu” might have been a very different film indeed. After all, who would have thought that the King of Sith would hold the key to refining such a dark and brooding tale? But then again, it’s always funny how life – or in this case, cinema – works out sometimes!

In theaters now is Robert Eggers’ take on “Nosferatu,” a film steeped in cultural influences similar to many others before it. This modern adaptation draws inspiration from the 1922 original, which left an impression on Eggers at age 9. The movie is richly infused with Eastern European folklore, centuries of vampire tales, and the legacy of past vampire films, all encapsulated within Eggers’ distinctive dark narrative style.

As an admirer, I can’t help but marvel at how Eggers masterfully weaves an impressive tapestry of cinematic and artistic wisdom into his reimagining of ‘Nosferatu’. Disentangling each influence on the film is a Herculean task, but there are several that Eggers himself has acknowledged in interviews, some of which may surprise you. With the film now gracing our screens, let’s delve deeper into five significant influences that shaped its creation.

For More on Nosferatu

1. Question: What rating does Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) have and where was it filmed?

2. Answer: The rating for Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) is yet to be determined, but it was filmed on location at [filming location].

3. Paragraph: The sarcophagus in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) inspired a popcorn bucket and an actual coffin. Although the filming location remains undisclosed, audiences are eagerly awaiting its release with such intriguing details in mind.

Nosferatu (1922) 

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As a devoted admirer of Guillermo del Toro’s latest masterpiece, “Nosferatu,” I must confess that F.W. Murnau’s original 1922 silent film version has long been an indelible part of my cinematic landscape. Although del Toro himself claims he intentionally steered clear from the influence of Werner Herzog’s 1979 remake, it’s undeniable that Murnau’s classic has left its mark on this modern retelling.

In the film, Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard) exhibits a striking resemblance to his silent-era counterpart in several significant ways. For instance, Orlok’s ability to manipulate the environment with nothing but his shadow, the haunting shots of the seaside cemetery, and the dramatic unveiling of Count Orlok’s sarcophagus by Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) are all nods to Murnau’s original work.

These moments, along with others, are unmistakable echoes from Murnau’s world, skillfully updated for a contemporary audience by del Toro. The result is a film that pays homage to its predecessor while still offering something fresh and captivating for modern viewers.

Dracula (1931)

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Murnau’s film “Nosferatu” is widely recognized as an unofficial take on Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula”, preceded by a legitimate adaptation produced by Universal Pictures nine years later, titled simply “Dracula”. Directed by Tod Browning and featuring Bela Lugosi in the lead role, this version of “Dracula” is more refined and less frightening compared to its predecessor. However, Eggers’ film includes a scene that clearly references the opening shot from “Dracula”, where Hutter’s carriage approaches Orlok’s castle, mirroring the initial shot in “Dracula” where travelers ride through Transylvania’s Borgo Pass. As stated by Eggers, this particular scene was directly influenced by the opening scene of “Dracula”.

 “I really wanted to do my version of that,” Eggers told Wired.

The Innocents (1961)

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As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but acknowledge the evident impact of classic vampire flicks on “Nosferatu,” but what truly sets this adaptation apart is Eggers’ deliberate referencing of Jack Clayton’s masterpiece, “The Innocents.” This chilling tale, an adaptation of Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw,” served as a significant inspiration for “Nosferatu.” The story revolves around a governess (Deborah Kerr) who becomes increasingly convinced that the house where she cares for two young children is haunted. This narrative, which delves deep into the psychological journey of a woman amidst a society unwilling or unable to assist her, undeniably resonates with the core themes in “Nosferatu,” particularly its reimagined narrative centered around Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp). Moreover, the enveloping Gothic ambiance found in “The Innocents” is also evident in the atmosphere of “Nosferatu.

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

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Absolutely! Back in the ’90s, I found Mel Brooks’ hilarious take on classic vampire flicks, starring the legendary Leslie Nielsen, to be a game-changer for me and my understanding of “Nosferatu.” In an exclusive chat with IndieWire, Eggers shared that this movie played a significant role in his scriptwriting journey. He mentioned that he utilized Brooks’ film as a guide because it did such an amazing job highlighting the aspects about vampires that always seemed a bit off-kilter in other versions.

According to Eggers, many parts of the script were intentionally revised following the viewing of the Mel Brooks film. This was because he found himself thinking, “That just doesn’t add up at all.

Possession (1981)

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It wasn’t just Eggers who delved into his ‘Nosferatu’ research; for her portrayal of Ellen Hutter, Lily-Rose Depp drew inspiration directly from a seasoned ‘Nosferatu’ actor – Isabelle Adjani. In an interview with IndieWire, Depp revealed that Adjani, who played Ellen in Herzog’s ‘Nosferatu the Vampyre’ (now on Peacock), served as a significant reference point for her. However, it wasn’t Adjani’s work in the vampire film that primarily influenced Depp; instead, it was another performance by Adjani – in Andrzej Żuławski’s 1981 horror movie ‘Possession’ – that Depp believes shaped Ellen Hutter’s possessed character throughout the film.

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2025-01-01 17:01