MOVIE NEWS – Robert Eggers’ latest film, Nosferatu, takes a daring departure from the norms of vampire cinema. While the movie faithfully recreates iconic scenes from the 1922 original, it also fundamentally redefines aspects of vampire lore. One striking example is Count Orlok’s (Bill Skarsgård) unique method of drinking blood, which not only diverges from the original Nosferatu but also challenges traditional vampire tropes seen in countless films.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Eggers explained that this change wasn’t simply for shock value but was rooted in ancient folklore predating vampire movies. The director explained:

“One fascinating aspect of research is trying to forget everything you think you know about vampires. You’ll notice that [in this film] Orlok drinks blood from the heart, not the neck. Of course, piercing a breastbone isn’t realistic. Drinking from the neck makes more sense. But in folklore, when people described vampiric attacks, it was often like old hag syndrome [a term for sleep paralysis], where they felt pressure on their chest. They believed vampires were draining blood from there.”

Eggers’ exploration of these myths has added a richer layer to Orlok’s character and influenced the film’s deeply sexual tone. In particular, one folktale about vampires’ relationships with women heavily shaped the narrative of this 2024 horror film.

Nosferatu’s Psychosexual Undertones Draw from Folklore

Eggers elaborated on these themes, stating: “There are also folk tales about vampires who didn’t drink blood but instead slept with their widows until the women succumbed. It’s all part of the source material.” Eggers has often noted his resistance to letting other film adaptations influence his work, instead choosing to anchor his movies in historical accounts.

In Nosferatu, the influence of folklore is evident, from Orlok’s method of feeding to the film’s unsettling and intimate tone. The result is a story that not only defies convention but also delves deeper into the twisted mythology of vampires.

Nosferatu is chilling and unsettling, a testament to Eggers’ ability to combine innovative storytelling with period-accurate design and timeless myths.

Source: MovieWeb