Director Robert Eggers' latest film, Nosferatu, is a bold reimagining of the 1922 classic, offering a fresh perspective on the vampire lore that has captivated audiences for generations. By combining elements from F.W. Murnau's original and Bram Stoker's Dracula, Eggers has created a new take on the character that feels both true to the source materials and deeper than the sum of its parts.

At the heart of the film is Ellen Hutter, played by Lily-Rose Depp, a woman tormented by psychic visions of a shadowy presence. Despite her constant fear, Ellen's days are filled with joy thanks to her realtor husband Thomas and best friend Anna. However, her nights are harrowing, with the mysterious voice in her head beckoning her to give in to her darkest desires. Eggers' focus on Ellen's interiority adds a new layer of complexity to the character, making her feel more relatable and human.

The film's depiction of Ellen is a masterclass in combining aspects of the original Nosferatu and Stoker's novel. Eggers presents Ellen as a woman who, even without her visions, would still feel smothered by the misogynistic social norms of her era. Her powers are an innate part of who she is, as is the way they often send her into fits of moaning that, to onlookers, read as explicitly orgasmic.

The mechanics of Ellen and Count Orlok's bond is another detail that Eggers has retooled just enough to make it work as a point of intrigue. The film cleverly leaves you wondering how, exactly, Orlok first came to know about his latest target, adding a delicious layer of dread to the story. As Thomas is requested to assist an "eccentric" nobleman in Transylvania, it becomes clear that Orlok is orchestrating some kind of elaborate plan to insert himself into Ellen's life.

Eggers' use of modern filmmaking techniques to create haunting visuals evocative of early 20th-century cinema is a standout aspect of the film. The way Nosferatu frequently shifts into a near-monochromatic palette of blacks and blues is a brilliantly artful trick evocative of blood draining out of a face in fear. These moments help make Nosferatu feel like a uniquely inspired presentation of vampires as beings of darkness.

What's most impressive about Eggers' remake is its ability to celebrate its predecessors while also realizing its own distinct vision. The film is a tribute to the works of Murnau and Browning, and its unique blend of psychosexual dread and haunting visuals is sure to make it an instant horror classic when it hits theaters on December 25th.

Nosferatu also stars Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, and Simon McBurney, and is a must-see for fans of horror and vampire lore. With its fresh perspective and masterful storytelling, Eggers' remake is a triumph that will leave audiences spellbound and eager for more.