The first official look at Bill Skarsgård's portrayal of Count Orlok in Nosferatu has been revealed, offering a haunting glimpse of Robert Eggers’ reimagining of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent classic. This long-anticipated reveal comes after the gothic horror film amassed an impressive $135 million at the global box office since its Christmas Day release. Skarsgård leads the Nosferatu cast as the menacing Count Orlok, an aristocratic vampire who preys on the residents of a remote seaside village in pursuit of Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp) after her husband, Thomas (Nicholas Hoult), unwittingly sells him a home.
In a video shared by Nosferatu’s official account on X/Twitter, Skarsgård’s unsettling transformation into Count Orlok is finally unveiled. The footage highlights Orlok’s grotesque features, including his decayed skin, sunken eyes, and long nails as he looms in the shadows of his gothic mansion in an eerie pursuit of the haunted Ellen. Skarsgård, who previously played another iconic villain in Andrés Muschietti's It reboot, remarked that Nosferatu is "the scariest performance of [his] career." Watch the full video below:
What Nosferatu’s First Look At Orlok Means
Skarsgård’s Orlok Redefines A Horror Icon
Eggers’ Nosferatu has been praised for its repulsive yet seductive reimagining of the iconic vampire tale. During the film’s marketing campaign, Orlok's appearance was kept largely in the shadows, save for his booming and ethereal voice. With the new footage, it becomes clear that Skarsgård’s Orlok is a creature overcome by decay and rot. With a more aristocratic demeanor, the Count is given an air of devilish authority. As the vampire visits Ellen in her nightmares, and stalks Thomas from the depths of his castle, these haunted characters seem unable to fully unravel themselves from his charisma and menace.
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With Eggers' atmospheric touch and penchant for folkloric horror, Nosferatu reinvigorates its timeless imagery with a modern twist. Nonetheless, Orlok’s elongated nails pay homage to Max Schreck’s original portrayal of the vampire in Murnau's silent film, which has existed across every iteration of Count Orlok, including Werner Herzog's 1979 Nosferatu. Skarsgård's Orlok thus remains anchored to the character's cinematic legacy, while his rotted skin, mustache, and forelock offer a fresh take on the monster’s parasitic allure.
Our Take On Nosferatu’s First Look At Orlok
It's Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
Eggers' Nosferatu deliciously captures the grotesque decay of a timeless predator. Skarsgård’s dedication to Count Orlok, from the endless hours in the make-up chair to the opera lessons it took to achieve that thundering voice, carves a bold new path in gothic horror. The newly revealed video of the Count perfectly encapsulates the film's haunting themes and atmospheric tones with a glimpse into the chilling world Eggers has crafted with fervor. For fans of gothic horror and reimagined classics, Nosferatu is a must-watch experience that promises to mesmerize and terrify in the same breath.
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.
Release Date
December 25, 2024
Runtime
132 Minutes
Character(s)
Count Orlok
, Ellen Hutter
, Thomas Hutter
, Dr. Wilhelm Sievers
, Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz
, Friedrich Harding
, Anna Harding
, Knock
, Dockhand
, Head Nurse
Studio(s)
Regency Enterprises
, 1492 Pictures
Distributor(s)
Focus Features
, Universal Pictures
English (US) ·