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Nosferatu

Play trailer Poster for Nosferatu Released Mar 5, 1922 1h 5m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence -- and his new real estate agent Hutter's wife.
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Nosferatu

Nosferatu

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Critics Consensus

One of the silent era's most influential masterpieces, Nosferatu's eerie, gothic feel -- and a chilling performance from Max Schreck as the vampire -- set the template for the horror films that followed.

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Critics Reviews

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Kate Cameron New York Daily News The action of the picture is so disconnected as to make the continuity confusing. However, this one certainly holds interest, for its extreme weirdness and its unusual photography. Rated: 2/4 Jan 8, 2021 Full Review Tom Huddleston Time Out So this is it: ground zero, the birth of horror cinema. Oct 14, 2014 Full Review Noel Murray The Dissolve The movie's best effect is its star...He looks every bit like an actual demonic wild-thing, retrieved from deep within the German wilderness and trotted out to perform for Murnau's camera. Rated: 4/5 Nov 19, 2013 Full Review Roberto Tyler Ortiz Loud and Clear Reviews Watching Nosferatu is like stepping into another realm, one where fear isn’t screamed but whispered. Rated: 5/5 Dec 6, 2024 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins The work as a whole is impossible to dismiss; the influence of Murnau's unauthorized adaptation is no less than monumental. Rated: 9/10 Aug 25, 2024 Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast Responsible for starting things off for horror (Dracula/vampire) films, Nosferatu leaves quite a bite thanks to its iconic lead performance and use of practical effects wizardry. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3.5/5 Apr 9, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Chloe A Very creepy and eerie for its time. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/25 Full Review Chloe W Confusing, anticlimactic, and grotesque. The artistic cinematography only slightly distracts from the disappointment of wasting an hour and a half of my life. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/13/25 Full Review Jelisije J Great for its time that should be remembered for what inspiration it gave to a generation of the horror genre. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review Diego M F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu is a landmark in gothic cinema, renowned for its expressionist style and its iconic portrayal of the vampire. This silent German horror film follows Thomas Hutter, who is sent to Transylvania to facilitate the purchase of a house by the mysterious Count Orlok. Upon arriving, Hutter learns from locals that Orlok may be connected to supernatural events. Orlok's strange behavior and sinister appearance lead Hutter to suspect that he is a vampire, and soon enough, horrific events begin to unfold. Max Schreck's portrayal of Count Orlok is grotesque, thanks to groundbreaking prosthetic makeup, making him one of the most chilling figures in cinematic history. His shadow, one of the most famous in film, looms over the story, further emphasizing the eerie atmosphere. The film’s use of chiaroscuro lighting and claustrophobic sets creates a sense of dread, drawing the viewer into a world of shadows, dread, and mystery. Set in the lavish yet intimidating castle of Orlok, the film utilizes exaggerated, almost surreal architecture, contributing to the unsettling mood. The expressionist style is characterized by cold, dark, and oppressive visuals, intended to unnerve the audience. While some of the special effects and the somewhat dated script may feel less frightening to modern viewers, the haunting atmosphere and innovative design choices make Nosferatu an unforgettable experience. In conclusion, despite its age, Nosferatu remains a seminal work in horror, with its masterful use of atmosphere, makeup, and visuals. It set the template for many vampire films to come and continues to influence the genre to this day. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review Mark J Some horror makers need to go back and watch this. No need in jump scares all the time, suspense and a good sound track can increase the uneasy feeling and provide the scares alone. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/02/25 Full Review Lars N No way around it - legendary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/01/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence -- and his new real estate agent Hutter's wife.
Director
F.W. Murnau
Producer
Enrico Dieckmann, Albin Grau
Screenwriter
Henrik Galeen, Bram Stoker
Distributor
Image Entertainment Inc., Republic Pictures, Hollywood's Attic, GoodTimes Home Video [us], Sinister Cinema, Grapevine Video, Video Yesteryear, Reel Media International [us], BijouFlix Releasing, Kino Video
Production Co
Jofa-Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal
Genre
Horror
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 5, 1922, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 15, 2008
Runtime
1h 5m
Aspect Ratio
Academy (1.33:1), 35mm
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