The Ending of Nosferatu, Explained

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As a seasoned connoisseur of all things supernatural and cinematic, I must say that Robert Egger’s modern reimagining of Nosferatu has left me utterly spellbound. The film, much like a mesmerizing vampire, has sunk its teeth deep into my heart, leaving an indelible mark on my cinematic psyche.

After much wait, Robert Egger’s modern take on the 1922 silent film “Nosferatu” titled the same, featuring Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlok, has graced movie screens at last. With only a few days left in the year, one of the most eagerly awaited horror films in recent times can now be witnessed by audiences worldwide, making these holiday seasons rich for film enthusiasts who will undoubtedly scrutinize every aspect.

Moreover, let’s delve into the concluding scenes of Eggers’ interpretation of the timeless story. This way, we can analyze how this ending ties into the broader storyline.

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What happens at the end of Nosferatu?

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Similar to the initial movie, which was an unofficial interpretation of Dracula, the film Nosferatu tells the chilling tale of a vampire who haunts not merely a community, but a family. In this instance, the captivating Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp) serves as the focus of the vampire’s fixation. Her husband, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), is an estate agent sent to Transylvania on business to sell a property in the German city of Wisborg to Count Orlok.

In my gaming world, it all started differently with the character Ellen. Years ago, when I was at my lowest point, I cried out for help in the darkness, unknowingly summoning a supernatural guardian angel. This entity, Orlok, found an entrance into my thoughts through my desperate plea. He would sometimes take control of me, causing me to lose my sanity in strange fits.

As Ellen encountered true happiness with Thomas, her troubles seemed to lessen, but Orlok’s longing for Ellen remained unabated. Using his servant Herr Knock (played by Simon McBurney), Orlok devised a plan: he would have Thomas act as his real estate agent to purchase a property in Wisborg. This strategy allowed him to move both physically and psychically nearer to Ellen, all while attempting to eliminate Thomas from the equation.

Despite successfully leaving Orlok’s castle and heading towards a convent, Thomas yearns to return home and rescue Ellen since Orlok is pursuing Germany. Joined by his friend Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), their associate Dr. Sievers (Ralph Ineson), and Professor Von Franz (Willem Dafoe), Thomas embarks on a mission to vanquish Orlok and save his spouse.

However, the bond between the vampire and Ellen runs extremely deep, making it difficult for even Von Franz and his non-traditional methods to break it through sheer force. Instead, it requires secret wisdom, a truth that Von Franz ultimately uncovers in a book within Herr Knock’s possessions. It appears that only an innocent woman can vanquish the vampire by embracing him at dawn. Once Ellen learns this, she chooses, without Thomas’ awareness, to lead Orlok to her bed and charm him.

In the end, despite their attempts to rescue her, they discover that she had deceived them. Ellen clings to Orlok, allowing him to drink her blood until the sun rises and destroys him. With mere seconds left, Ellen manages to catch a glimpse of Thomas once more before succumbing to death herself.

What the ending of Nosferatu means

Restructuring F.W. Eggers’ version of “Nosferatu” centers Ellen Hutter as the protagonist throughout the narrative instead of just at the climax, significantly alters the plotline. Superficially, it remains a tale of people uniting to combat a vampire, ultimately discovering that the woman they aim to protect is the one who must make the fateful sacrifice. However, by establishing Ellen as the one responsible for summoning Orlok initially, the film’s focus and direction undergo a profound transformation.

In her youth, Ellen grapples with what seems to be recurring bouts of depression, seeking solace in a seemingly unseen power. Later in life, she experiences marital bliss, but the depressive episodes persist, leaving those around her, including society itself, powerless to help. Ellen becomes an enigmatic, sorrowful figure to all who know her. It isn’t until much later in the movie that the men in her life finally understand her situation, but by then it is too late. Ellen’s fate is sealed, not only by Orlok’s presence but also by a world that fails to comprehend her struggles. The everyday terror of the era, compounded by the darkness of the supernatural, makes Nosferatu a unique form of Gothic tragedy.

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2024-12-25 20:02