‘Nosferatu’s Deeply Unsettling Ending, Explained

by

As a cinephile who has traversed the darkest corners of cinema history, I must say that Robert Eggers’ reimagining of “Nosferatu” is a chilling masterpiece that harks back to the era of silent films while infusing it with modern dread and terror. The film’s slow-burning tension and unrelenting atmosphere are reminiscent of my late nights spent alone, watching horror classics on grainy VHS tapes.

Warning: Spoilers for Nosferatu.

Robert Eggers penned and orchestrated the film titled “Nosferatu“, which serves as a modern take on the 1922 silent movie of the same name, inspired by Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula“. The gothic horror narrative sets an ominous atmosphere right from the start, when Lily-Rose Depp’s character, Ellen, pleads for any spirit to show affection. With her mother deceased and father distant emotionally, her longing for companionship becomes overwhelming. Yet, it is the monstrous vampire, Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), who responds to her entreaties. After making a chilling appearance in a nightmare, the creature causes an epileptic fit before the story leaps forward “years later.” Now settled in Wisborg, Germany and married to Thomas (Nicholas Hoult), her beloved partner in life, Ellen has kept the terrifying creature at bay for years. However, it is only when the monster learns about her recent wedding that it emerges once more from the recesses of her mind.

Without Thomas realizing it, Orlok has initiated a wicked scheme to reclaim Ellen for himself. Being the Count’s loyal servant, Herr Knock (Simon McBurney), Thomas’ employer, asks Thomas to travel to Orlok’s castle in Transylvania’s Carpathian mountains to finalize a deal for an old castle in Wisborg. Thomas agrees, thinking it will strengthen his position at the company, but Orlok has no intention of letting him live. Upon arrival, Thomas experiences disturbing dreams and is unable to leave despite wanting to. After learning about Orlok’s connection to Ellen and the beast, Thomas manages to flee by jumping into a nearby river. He eventually returns home to his wife, but his arrival coincides with Orlok’s, who has brought the plague along. As Ellen resists Orlok’s advances, the plague spreads rapidly throughout Wisborg, putting everyone at risk.

How and Why Does Orlok Travel to Wisborg?

Ever since Ellen was a child, yearning for companionship, Orlok exerted an involuntary influence over her. Upon their initial encounter, he harbored desire for her, and when he first appeared in her dreams, he persuaded her to pledge herself to him. Although they shared an emotional bond and a rudimentary telepathic connection, they never physically interacted. In order to uphold the vow she made as a child, she must willingly renew the oath.

Despite being unable to depart from Transylvania due to his need to remain in the soil where he was buried or else perish when dawn breaks, Orlok persists in haunting Ellen through dreams and spectral appearances for much of her existence. Having discovered Ellen’s affection for Thomas, Orlok chooses to move to Wisborg so as to establish a physical connection with her, compelling her to renew her oath and yield herself to him.

Using his servant’s help, Count Orlok acquires the decaying castle deed in Wisborg and initiates his plan for travel there. With boxes filled with soil from Transylvania, the Count embarks on a dangerous sea voyage, carrying the plague with him. Upon reaching Wisborg, the plague breaks out through swarms of rats, which Herr later transports Orlok to his new residence. Fascinated by Ellen, the Count attempts to seduce her in the dead of night, but she resists. Enraged by her defiance, Orlok demands that she reaffirm her oath within three nights or else those dear to her will face a dire future. Obsessed with possessing Ellen, the Count desires her exclusively for his own consumption.

Does Ellen Rid Herself of Orlok?

On the second night, Orlok comes back and slays Anna (Emma Corrin), along with her two young daughters, after Ellen rejects him initially. Overwhelmed by sorrow, Anna’s husband, Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), succumbs to the plague the day after. Recognizing the urgency of eliminating the Count, Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz (Willem Dafoe), Dr. Wilhelm Sievers (Ralph Ineson), and Thomas depart in search of a way to kill Orlok, either using iron or preventing him from touching Transylvanian soil when daylight arrives. With the men gone to fight the vampire, Ellen comes to understand that it’s her responsibility to save everyone.

In Nosferatu, Ellen is the one who can captivate Count Orlok’s attention while Thomas and the others are gone. She voluntarily submits to him, allowing him to lie with her and drain her of life, keeping him occupied until dawn. As the sun rises, it’s too late for Orlok, who succumbs to death and takes the plague with him, leaving his desiccated form atop Ellen. Regrettably, by the time Thomas understands what his wife had intended all along, it’s already too late. He reaches her just in time to hold her hand as she breathes her last. In this chilling tale, Ellen manages to rid herself of Orlok, but only by sacrificing her own life. The film Nosferatu is now showing in cinemas.

Read More

2024-12-27 17:34