Summary
Robert Eggers’Nosferatucounts on the talents of Willem Dafoe, but, surprisingly, this isn’t Dafoe’s firstNosferatumovie. Continuing the current trend of remakes in the horror genre is Robert Eggers’Nosferatu, based on the 1922 German Expressionist vampire movie by F. W. Murnau, which, in turn, is an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’sDracula. Eggers’Nosferatuis described as a Gothic tale of love, obsession, and blood between a mortal woman and a vampire, though not much has been revealed about its plot and how it could differ from the original movie.
Eggers’Nosferatutells the story of Ellen Hutler (Lily-Rose Depp), a young mortal woman, and Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), a vampire who becomes infatuated with Ellen – however, once he awakes, Count Orlok unleashes horror around them. Also starring inNosferatuare Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicholas Hoult, Emma Corrin, Simon McBurney, Ralph Ineson, and Willem Dafoe.Nosferatuis Dafoe’s third collaboration with Eggers, but, to the surprise of many, this isn’t his firstNosferatumovie, though his past work with the character is a different take on Murnau’s horror classic.
A 103-Year-Old Lost Film Was Actually The First Dracula Movie, Not The Movie People Think Is The First
One Dracula movie is wrongly believed to be the famous vampire’s first movie adaptation, but the first Dracula movie is now a lost film.
Willem Dafoe Played Max Schreck As A Real Vampire In Shadow Of The Vampire
Shadow Of The Vampire Is A Fictionalized Look At The Filming Of Nosferatu
Shadow of the Vampirestars John Malkovich as F. W. Murnau and Dafoe as Count Orlok actor Max Schreck, but with a twist.
Nosferatuhas gotten unofficial remakes over the years, most notably Werner Herzog’s 1979Nosferatu the Vampyre, though it’s more an adaptation ofDracularather than a direct remake of Murnau’s film.Dafoe’s past withNosferatuisn’t related to any of those unofficial remakes, and, instead, he starred in a fictionalized account of the making of Murnau’s 1922 film inShadow of the Vampire. Released in 2000 and directed by E. Elias Merhige,Shadow of the Vampirestars John Malkovich as F. W. Murnau and Dafoe as Count Orlok actor Max Schreck, but with a twist.
Shadow of the Vampiretakes the audience back to 1921, during the filming ofNosferatu. Murnau keeps his team in the dark about their schedule and the actor playing Orlok, who only shows up at night to film his scenes, in full makeup, and never breaks character. As it turns out,Shreck wasn’t just playing a vampire, but he was a vampire, soon instilling fear among the cast and crew.Shadow of the Vampirewas a critical success, with Dafoe receiving praise for his performance and getting a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2001 Academy Awards.
Who Does Willem Dafoe Play In Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu?
Dafoe’s Character In Nosferatu Is A Mortal Man
Dafoe’s character in Eggers’Nosferatuis called Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, but there’s no such character in Murnau’s movie.
Nosferatuhas many similarities toDracula, with changes to the character’s names and parts of their stories, but they’re essentially the same. Dafoe’s character in Eggers’Nosferatuis called Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, but there’s no such character in Murnau’s movie. However, judging by what the first trailer shows of Von Franz,Dafoe’s character seems to be the equivalent of Murnau’s Professor Bulwer, a physician.Bulwer was Murnau’s version ofDracula’s Abraham Van Helsing, so Dafoe’s Von Franz is expected to play that role in Eggers’Nosferatu.
InDracula, Van Helsing is called by his former student John Seward to assist the mysterious illness of Lucy Westenra, and he’s the one who realizes she is the victim of a vampire. Van Helsing is key to Dracula’s defeat as he destroys the vampire women in his castle, while the rest go after the famous Count. It’s unknown if Willem Dafoe’s Von Franz will also play a part in Count Orlok’s defeat inNosferatuand how his role will be expanded, but at leastDafoe can brag about playing Max Schreck, Nosferatu, and a version of Van Helsing.
Nosferatu
Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name from director F. W. Murnau. Robert Eggers is crafting his own version of the story for the reboot as writer and director, with Bill Skarsgård stepping into the shoes of Count Orlok. Nosferatu tells the tale of a young woman who falls victim to a vampire utterly infatuated with her.
