Nosferatu? Steven says 4/5

Welcome to ShelfMag’s movie review corner, where every review exists in the chaotic tension between “I wrote my thesis on cinematic symbolism” and “that explosion was shiny and I liked it.” Sometimes I’m deep-diving into metaphor and mise-en-scène like I’ve got a degree in it (because I might). Other times, I’m just here to vibe with the hot actors and loud sound effects. It’s giving Letterboxd meets group chat chaos, with a sprinkle of existential dread and a lot of heart.

Buckle up, babes—it’s movie night,

Steven <3

I’ve been waiting for Robert Eggers’ next film since The Northman in 2019. When it was revealed that his next film would in fact be a retelling of the world's most famous vampire, it instantly became my most anticipated for all of 2024.

The long wait until December 25, when the film hit theaters, was well worth it. Films that take their time making sure every detail is perfect to completely transform the audience into their own world are rare nowadays, but Nosferatu is the exception. Nosferatu feels like a slow descent into misery—gloomy, claustrophobic, and soaked in dread. Eggers serves peak gothic cinema, with every frame heavy enough to crush your soul.

Lily-Rose Depp delivers a compelling performance that transcends her work in The Idol. Her ability to tell an entire story of emotions just with her facial expressions was truly an art form to behold. Depp's body choreography also did not go unnoticed. She moves with an unsettling, puppet-like precision that persuades the viewer that she is being taken by some otherworldly control. On the flip side, Nicholas Hoult wears terror like couture—fragile, raw, and painfully human. Together, both of their performances carry the weight of Eggers’ bleak vision, and were the highlights of the film.

Curious about what else Steven is into? Get updates on shelf.im/stevenmorea