Nosferatu: The Return (2024) – Movie Review
Hello friends, in this review we will talk about Nosferatu: The Return. Robert Eggers directed it. If you haven't seen his previous film, I highly recommend it. He's an absolutely brilliant director, and you know that Nosferatu: The Return is a remake of the 1922 German film. This film was the unofficial adaptation of Dracula. The whole plot does not change, but some things including the names of the characters are changed.
Main Discussion
It is a faithful adaptation and some elements are taken from Dracula, and some places were changed in the German film. The film is very well done, it is a kind of atmospheric horror. The entire world is built in such a way, which will give you a spine chilling experience. The atmosphere of terror is deepened by the excellent sound design and lighting. Sound and lighting are very important in horror films, and here it shines through.
It will give you a new feeling as a completely visual experience. And those of Dracula or Nosferatu: For those interested in gothic horror films like The Return, this film is truly memorable. The character development and performances in the movie are also very good. But I want to discuss the theme and psychology in this video, not a full review of the movie. In fact, some great themes emerge in the film, and some changes are certainly relevant to our day.
The main theme of the movie comes from Bram Stoker's Dracula, where a man meets Count Dracula in a Romanian castle. He slowly realizes that this guy is a vampire. During a large part of the story, the vampire comes to England and spreads the plague, then Van Helsing's character comes to kill Dracula.
Here is well depicted a terrible disease or disease, which was unknown to the people at that time. This could not be explained by science, so people believed in many superstitions, such as ghosts or evil spirits. And Nosferatu: The Return the same theme creates tension.
As you know, Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1990 linked the theme of that disease to AIDS, which was spreading rapidly. At that time, just as Dracula was seeking a punishment through blood, AIDS was spreading through blood, and the audience could feel it a lot. In today's time of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are finding some connection in watching Nosferatu: The Return.
Also hidden in the movie is another theme: Bram Stoker was a closet homosexual who tried to hide multiple aspects of his personal life and identity. This can be seen in the way Nosferatu: The Return portrays hidden sexuality and bisexual themes. The audience can connect greatly with this, as there is a lot of discussion about these issues in today's society.
Maybe that's the reason, the audience is accepting this sexuality theme very well. And other themes such as the occult or black magic are also revealed in this movie, which we know from early times and those undertones are back again.
Within the story of Dracula we see discussions of homosexuality and bisexuality. It is well portrayed and while Nosferatu: The Return is simultaneously thought provoking, it also has another message—any activity that garners too much or unnecessary attention, ultimately results in great harm, as well as a negative impact on society.
Interestingly, the creator or director of the original German movie is named after the character in this film. It has become more interesting.
Conclusion
The film is a faithful adaptation. The director stayed true to the original ideas, which were in the old German cinema. Robert Eggers is a very talented actor, did a great job with his Van Helsing character. If you look deeper, the film is highly recommended.