Shadow of the Vampire

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Shadow of the Vampire

R

2001

1h 33m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

F. W. Murnau (John Malkovich) is struggling to create his silent classic "Nosferatu" on location in Eastern Europe. The director is obsessed with making this the most authentic vampire movie ever. To that end, Murnau has employed a real vampire, Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe), explaining to the crew that he is the ultimate of that new breed, the "method actor" -- trained by Stanislavsky himself. Schreck will appear only in character and only at night.

Critics Consensus

Shadow of the Vampire is frightening, compelling, and funny, and features an excellent performance by Willem Dafoe.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

"Shadow of the Vampire" is a gory and grandiose metaphor for the torments and sacrifices made, extracted, and endured in the name of art.

Oct 19, 2019

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Vampire satire has some creepy moments.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 28, 2010

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David Edelstein

Slate

The screenplay, by Steven Katz, suffers from arch, almost unspeakably theatrical dialogue, and, as Murnau, John Malkovich recites his lines as if monomania were synonymous with monotonic: He drains the drama of blood.

Sep 25, 2007

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Worth the price of admission for John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe's performances alone.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 12, 2025

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Ultimately, this picture’s entertainment value will depend largely on the audience’s knowledge of the source material – receiving such a comically morbid spoofing – even if modest amusement can be easily obtained from the performances.

Rated: 6/10

Dec 29, 2024

Full Review

Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

Does this mean Shadow of the Vampire is good? Sort of. Does it means it's bad? Sometimes. But it's usually entertaining.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 28, 2023

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Jason M

It was okay. Not what I thought it would be. Too much of a nod to classic cinema production, and not enough humor/horror. But it had it's moments and I can cross it off the list of movies I wanted to see.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

CT 8

Definitely one of the better vampire movies out there. Malkovich and Dafoe are fantastic. I have no idea why, but finding a hard copy of this gem is almost impossible.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

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Alec B

Honestly this is more interesting and way more fun than some run of the mill "making of" movie. The idea of an ancient vampire getting just as bewitched by the camera as all of the humans is just great.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/30/24

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Jason W

A fun and interesting concept. A mix of suspense, thrills and whimsy. It's theatre meets film and history meets fantasy in this reimagining of the making of the original Nosfaratu.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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Kyle M

Poetically scripted and well performed that instills filmic passion with a unique twist that further compels us to revisit its mythically horrific benchmark. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

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Anton H

By far one of the best films about filmmaking. An excellent and imaginative blend of film history and fantasy, as well as a genuine love-letter to early cinema.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

Full Review

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E. Elias Merhige

Director

John Malkovich

F.W. Murnau

Willem Dafoe

Max Schreck

Cary Elwes

Fritz Wagner

Aden Gillett

Galeen

Suzy Eddie Izzard

Gustav von Wangenheim

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Synopsis

F. W. Murnau (John Malkovich) is struggling to create his silent classic "Nosferatu" on location in Eastern Europe. The director is obsessed with making this the most authentic vampire movie ever. To that end, Murnau has employed a real vampire, Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe), explaining to the crew that he is the ultimate of that new breed, the "method actor" -- trained by Stanislavsky himself. Schreck will appear only in character and only at night.

Director: E. Elias Merhige
Producer: Nicolas Cage, Jeff Levine
Screenwriter: Steven Katz
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Saturn Films, Long Shot Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 26, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.3M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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