‘Nosferatu’ Director Reveals the “Comical” but Icky Scene Cut From Its End

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As a devoted follower of the horror genre, I have witnessed my fair share of bone-chilling experiences that have left me trembling in my seat. However, the latest masterpiece from Robert Eggers, Nosferatu, has undoubtedly taken the cake. The film’s hauntingly beautiful visuals, coupled with the impeccable performances of Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Bill Skarsgård, transported me to a world where darkness and despair reigned supreme.

Warning: The Following Contains SPOILERS for the End of Robert Eggers’Nosferatu

On Christmas Day, Nosferatu made a grand entrance, raking in $11.6 million at the box office, far surpassing predictions. This vampire movie has been garnering acclaim from both audiences and critics, largely because of the outstanding performances by Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Bill Skarsgård, who portrays Count Orlok. Robert Eggers helmed this Gothic horror film, which pays homage to the original in numerous ways but offers a contemporary twist. The director himself revealed that one scene was so “unsettling” it had to be omitted from the final cut.

In the final scenes of Nosferatu, Depp as Ellen Hutter is depicted tenderly holding and feeding herself to a bloodthirsty Orlok. Director Eggers explained to Variety that he had to omit a part of this scene because it was both unsettling and amusing, which didn’t align with the tone set throughout the rest of the film.

Upon a closer inspection of the scene, you’ll notice that Orlok continues to bleed from his eyes, ears, and nose. There are also openings suggestive of maggots on his back. Initially, we intended for him to bleed from his anus too, but it turned out quite amusing. When filming commenced, we needed to physically stop the flow using a cork.

It’s clear he took the correct action as the intense and emotional scene might have lost its essence if there was visible bleeding from Orlok, which would undoubtedly distract viewers. Although it was realistic given Orlok’s condition, showing it on screen could have backfired, causing many viewers to laugh instead of being moved by Eggers’ brilliant conclusion.

Robert Eggers Names His Favorite Horror Movie of 2024

With Nosferatu added to his collection, Eggers now boasts four films credited to him, each earning praise from critics. As for what the director plans to do next, he shared with Variety that while he’s written numerous screenplays that are distinctly his own style, one way or another, there’s currently no definitive idea brewing for his upcoming project.

To sum up, despite being engrossed in the production of Nosferatu for much of the year, the director found time to watch some horror films from 2024 and expressed his favorite as The Substance. He praised its singular, coherent vision and exceptional execution, stating that it was a sight to behold for any filmmaker, inspiring admiration and advocacy.

Couldn’t it possibly spark his imagination to craft a unique body horror movie? Admittedly, it seems rather unlikely, but who knows? If the director of movies like “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” “The Northman,” and now “Nosferatu” were to tackle this subgenre, it would certainly be intriguing. It’s a tantalizing thought, isn’t it? While we eagerly await news on Eggers’ next project, don’t forget to catch “Nosferatu” in theaters now from Focus Features.

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2024-12-27 19:01