Robert Eggers’s conceptualization of the iconic silent horror film delivers an unparalleled macabre experience that excels in both gothic visual splendor and narrative intrigue.  If there is a metric that evaluates the success of a remake, Eggers has masterfully transcended it.  This achievement is further elevated by consistently charismatic performances from its stellar cast.

The film immediately establishes an atmosphere that is somewhat minimalist, enabling it to hone in on its most haunting attributes.  Eggers’s approach provides a visual narrative into the bleak, gothic landscape that serves to enrich the characters that inhabit it.  This is most easily observed in its opening act where Nicholas Hoult’s Thomas Hutter is sent to Count Orlok’s (Bill Skarsgard) castle to conduct a real estate deal with the title villain.  The process by which Hutter travels and arrives at the castle emphasizes the demonic characteristics of both the plot and its villain.  It maintains a striking ability to possess its viewer with a persistent feeling of dread, even in its most benign moments, elicited through its nightmarish landscapes and edifices.  

The story continues to unfold through sequences of Mrs. Hutter’s (Lily-Rose Depp) enigmatic connection to Orlok, which serve to enhance the sinister persona of Skarsgard’s villain.  The significance of this plot device is that it takes the familiar Vampire concept and evolves it into a more terrifying entity whose scope of supernatural influence is seemingly limitless.  This idea is effective in infusing a Vampire tale with the necessary components to elicit an unsettling feeling from its audience.  This is a welcome tactic as the notion of a stalking vampire on its own can seem somewhat underwhelming in the face of the wealth of related content in this genre.  This is perhaps the single biggest driver for Nosferatu’s success in bringing ample horror to the screen, a feat that is becoming increasingly challenging in this corner of cinema.

This leads to Skarsgard’s interpretation of the titular villain, which can only be described as simultaneously visceral and authoritative. His ability to command many of the film’s characters permeates the screen, invoking a sense that you too must acquiesce to his presence.  Skarsgard has once again imbued a horror icon with his signature performance which is both unique and enamoring.  He has demonstrated that he is more than capable of establishing himself alongside the cinematic villain pantheon of the likes of Hannibal Lecter and Darth Vader.

Nosferatu excels in virtually every characteristic that comprises unforgettable horror.  Its dreary, haunting visual palette is elevated by strong performances from its cast as well sharp narrative pacing that delivers chilling moments precisely when it should.  Eggers has solidified his reputation for providing tales that are as captivating as they are unsettling through effective use of cinematography and storytelling. This is without a doubt his finest work yet.