Robert Eggers's ‘Nosferatu’ Set To Chill & Thrill This Christmas!

Robert Eggers has been renowned as a horror film auteur since his debut feature The VVitch released in theaters in 2015. He is known for his signature atmospheric style and dedication to historical accuracy, as his works often double as period films. 

His newest project’s release is fast approaching. Nosferatu has been in development for years, and its existence has been public knowledge since 2022. In September of that year, official cast announcements were released. Soon after, in November, a release date of December 25, 2024, was announced. Earlier this year in April, new stills and exclusive footage were debuted at CinemaCon. With each new breadcrumb, fans have been eagerly awaiting more content. 

On June 24, Focus Features dropped the official teaser trailer for the film. Fans and critics alike are already lauding the snippets of footage as ambitious and exciting material that indicate an equally satisfying and terrifying movie to come. Still, the nearly 2-minute video doesn’t give fans too much to work with, and there’s sure to be a lot more material released before its theatrical release in 6 month’s time. 

The film’s cast includes Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok and Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, the film’s leads. Other cast members include Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter, Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers, Emma Corrin as Anna Harding, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding. Talk about star-studded!

Nosferatu is a reimagining of the classic German 1922 silent film of the same name directed by F.W. Murnau, which is itself an original take on the iconic Dracula story created by Bram Stoker. It's one of the first horror movies ever made and considered a beloved work of the genre. Although it seems that there are similarities between the two films from the first look, it seems that Eggers is employing his own creative liberty in order to shape the story to his liking. Check out the original below for comparison:

In 2000, another take on this story made it to the screen in the film Shadow of the Vampire, which is a fictionalized take on the filming of the 1922 Nosferatu which posits that the actor who plays the title character, Max Schreck, might have been just a little too perfect for the role... Willem Dafoe played Schreck in that film, so this is not his first foray into the world of Nosferatu! 

Those anticipating the eerie new film will have to wait until Christmas Day this year. If you’re one who likes to spice up your holiday season, mark your calendar!