KnockturnaLIST: 5 Ways Nosferatu Builds on the Original

1) Use of Shadow

Murnau’s Nosferatu was known for its creeping mood and set design, two elements that Eggers is perfect at capturing in all his films. As Eggers’ Nosferatu contains the beautiful period detail you’d expect, his direction truly shines in his depiction of deterioration. Orlok’s castle feels lived in but withered and neglected as you practically feel the musty air. While most of Eggers’ direction is creepingly moody, his pacing in the castle is significantly faster with disorienting transitions, as if in a whole other world. Coupled with the looming shadows and overarching decay, Eggers took what already worked in Muranu’s film and amplified it to a horrifying degree.