The most recent remake of “Nosferatu,” released last year on Dec. 25, certainly measures up to the same eerie standards set by its 1922 predecessor, all while adding a new, modern layer of complexity and terror. It really shows that director Robert Eggers (“The Lighthouse,” “The Witch”) has a deep understanding of folklore, removing the romanticized image of vampires that has become so normalized in today’s culture. Through a mix of psychological tension and a haunting atmosphere, Eggers creates a version of Nosferatu that reveals to audiences what people in 1838 truly believed vampires to be, the dangers of desire, and how a tragic sacrifice can fulfill a greater purpose.

One of the best qualities about this film was definitely the performance led by Lily-Rose Depp (“The Idol”), who truly embodied the role of Ellen, whose grief not only for her missing husband but also for her plagued relationship with Count Orlok was both heartbreaking and deeply haunting.

Bill Skarsgård, who plays Count Orlok also did an amazing job portraying the brooding villain. Up to the very first introduction of his character, all the way to his final moments on screen, Skarsgård demystifies the appeal towards romantic vampires like that depicted in the “Twilight” series, and resurrects the terrifying, grotesque essence that people once feared. The dynamic between Ellen and Orlok together creates a meaningful story and shows how purity and darkness can be intertwined in a tragic dance.

Furthermore, the cinematography and overall use of lighting and shadows in “Nosferatu” worked incredibly well to intensify the horror and transport the audience to that time period. There were so many noteworthy scenes that left a lasting impression, particularly those where the interplay of light and dark heightened the tension and drew out the film’s psychological impact. Orlok almost appeared normal while hiding in the shadows, but when the sun finally emerged, the full extent of his hideousness was revealed, exposing his true monstrous form.

When real estate agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult “Renfield,” “Juror #2”) arrives at the village in Transylvania to find the castle where Count Orlok lives, the scene felt like a dreary nightmare that the audience and Hutter were compelled to enter, almost as if we were being drawn into a trap we couldn’t escape. Eggers really did a great job with crafting this slow, suffocating tension, all while using minimalistic yet striking visuals to heighten the sense of unease, keeping the audience on edge throughout the entire film.

On the downside, this film’s overall pacing felt a little uneven at times, with certain sections dragging on longer than necessary, and some plot turns feeling very predictable. Even though this is a remake of a well-known classic, I was still expecting some new twists or reveals that could have made the narrative feel fresher.

Perhaps intentional, the heavy breathiness in Orlok’s speech made me uncomfortable, and it was hard to understand what he was saying at times. It appeared to be a strategy to create a sense of unease, and it worked in that his breathing literally made me feel claustrophobic.

A counter to the heavy breathing is the almost comical mustache on Count Orlok. The mustache has been compared by viewers to Dr. Eggman, the villain from the “Sonic the Hedgehog” series. Knowing that it was historically and geographically accurate, I came to appreciate the mustache.

Overall, “Nosferatu” has amazing visuals, historically accurate folklore references, and deep symbolism embedded throughout the story. This film showcases a creative mix of classic horror with modern storytelling, making audiences admire both the timelessness of vampire myths, its ability to evolve into present-day cinema, and how even the oldest films can still leave a mark on us, no pun intended.