‘Nosferatu’: Why Orlok Drinks Blood from the Chest Explained by Robert Eggers

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As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for delving deep into the annals of film history, I must say that the latest rendition of ‘Nosferatu’ by Robert Eggers is nothing short of a breath of fresh air in the stale realm of vampire cinema. Having spent countless hours poring over dusty tomes of folklore and ancient tales, I found myself captivated by the way this director has managed to breathe new life into a story that has been told time and again.

The fundamental changes made to Count Orlok’s blood-drinking methods may seem like mere trivia to some, but for those who appreciate the nuances of folklore, it is a testament to Eggers’ dedication to his source material. The decision to have Orlok drink from the heart instead of the neck adds an unexpected layer of authenticity that sets this film apart from its predecessors.

Eggers’ commitment to exploring the more sexual aspects of vampire folklore is particularly noteworthy, as it lends a psychosexual tone to the film that is both chilling and intriguing. The director’s assertion that vampires were known to fornicate with their widows until they died is certainly a far cry from the glamorized bloodsuckers we have grown accustomed to seeing on screen.

In watching ‘Nosferatu’, it becomes evident that Eggers has succeeded in creating an unconventional narrative that is not only compelling but also rooted firmly in historical folklore. The period-accurate production design and the evocation of ancient myths make this film a must-see for any serious student of cinema history.

All in all, ‘Nosferatu’ is a masterclass in how to take a tired genre and breathe new life into it by delving deep into the source material and staying true to the roots of the story. And as someone who has spent far too many sleepless nights poring over dusty books, I can confidently say that this film will keep you up at night, but in a good way.

Oh, and just one more thing – if vampires really did drink blood from their victims’ chests, I think I might stick to the movies, thank you very much!

The unique elements of the latest film titled Nosferatu deviate from typical vampire movie tropes. Although it incorporates several accurate reenactments of scenes or shots from the 1922 original, it also features significant alterations in the portrayal of a vampire as envisioned by Egger. For instance, the method Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) uses to drain blood from his victims is strikingly different not only from what was shown in the initial Nosferatu, but also offers an intriguing contrast to how vampires have been presented in nearly every other vampire movie thus far.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Eggers shared that a significant alteration was introduced in Nosferatu not merely for the sake of contradiction, but rather to honor the ancient vampire lore that predates modern vampire movies. In his own words, he described this decision as following the original spirit of the vampire tales.

One intriguing aspect of conducting this research is to attempt to set aside any preconceived notions about vampires. In this movie, Orlok drinks blood directly from the heart instead of the neck, which may seem illogical because piercing a breastbone isn’t possible. However, it might be more plausible for him to drink blood from the neck. Yet, in folklore, when people are being attacked by vampires, they often feel pressure on their chest, similar to old hag syndrome (a colloquial term for sleep paralysis). This pressure is interpreted as a vampire drinking blood from the chest.

In stories like these tall tales, Eggers contributed significantly to the lore surrounding vampires and Count Orlok specifically, as this lore also played a key part in the film’s overall sexual undertones. Notably, another tale about vampires’ interactions with women appeared to have a significant impact on how the 2024 horror movie would unfold.

‘Nosferatu’ Gets Its Psychosexual Tone From Vampiric Folklore

In that same interview, Eggers also touched upon additional vampire narratives with a sexual undertone. He explained that there are “vampires” from folklore who didn’t drink blood but slept with widows until their deaths. This, according to him, is just another aspect of the source material he draws inspiration from for his films. Despite not being swayed by previous vampire portrayals in film and television, these recent comments confirm Eggers’ preference for exploring lesser-known historical elements in his movie adaptations.

In watching the movie “Nosferatu”, there is ample indication that the folklore mentioned in the interview significantly influenced Eggers’ portrayal of Count Orlok. This influence is not limited to how the character sucks blood, but also extends to the overall atmosphere and type of attacks in the film. When viewed from the perspective of Egger’s source materials, these aspects make a lot more sense. Consequently, the story becomes less conventional, yet more intriguing, with an added layer of dark complexity that enhances the overall appeal of the film.

The movie “Nosferatu” is eerie and unsettling, a significant portion of which can be attributed to the intriguing balance Eggers has struck in exploring fresh perspectives on old and familiar tales, while maintaining historically authentic filmmaking techniques, and weaving stories reminiscent of ancient myths that predate films such as these.

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2024-12-29 18:03