What inspired the look of Robert Egger's Nosferatu remake? Details explored 

Robert Eggers' Nosferatu was one of the highlights of 2024 as it explored unsettling horror set against the backdrop of 1800s Germany. The gothic horror film combined eerie supernatural elements and human loneliness, leading to sinister events.

Led by Lily Rose-Depp, who has been widely praised for her portrayal of a lonely 1800s woman called Ellen, Nosferatu is a treat for horror fans with its gloomy, creepy atmosphere and how the creature feeds off Ellen's loneliness.

Eggers has gone into details on the creative process behind Nosferatu, citing the artwork that inspired his horror film. One of these is Tim Burton's Batman Returns, as the director stated in a recent interview:

“I was watching on one of these flights… I threw on Batman Returns and, like, snowy, gothic, atmosphere of that movie is, it’s quite like, shockingly similar to a lot of the stuff we were doing here, which is something that I never really considered at all. But Wayne Manor, like, doesn’t look a hell of a lot different than Grűnewald Manor. I have got to say except for falling apart. So that was kind of interesting.”

Burton himself is well-known for the gothic elements in his films, which range from animated classics like Corpse Bride to current-generation masterpieces like Wednesday. Naturally, his legacy has been an inspiration for modern-day filmmakers, who are on the rise.

What is Nosferatu about?

Nosferatu is a classic portrayal of how human loneliness can drive a person to the limits of desperation, leading to sinister outcomes. The film's cast includes Bill Skarsgard, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Anna Corrin, and William Dafoe.

The story is set in the fictional town of Wisburg, where a couple, Ellen and Thomas, have just gotten married. Lily-Rose Depp carries the film throughout with her character, Ellen. A lonely, depressed bride, she seeks the blessings of a supernatural entity who would soothe her solitude. Her pleas get answered as the entity binds Ellen to himself.

It is later revealed that the entity she has pledged herself to is Nosferatu, a demonic vampire. Plague consumes the town of Wisburg as Nosferatu increasingly possesses Ellen. The film ends with her offering herself as a sacrifice to the vampire to stop his influence on the town. As Nosferatu feeds on her until sunrise, eventually getting killed by sunlight, the town of Wisburg is set free from the clutches of his evil, and Thomas holds Ellen's hand in her death.

Nosferatu has been nominated for four Oscars this year, a rare occurrence for a horror film. Apart from that, Depp and Skarsgard have received largely positive reception for their roles, along with the rest of the cast members.

Nosferatu is now available to stream on Prime Video