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Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)
Directed by F.W. Murnau
[Not Rated] 1hr 25min
★★★★½
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is a silent horror film based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 Dracula novel. It follows a real estate agent as he travels to a remote castle in order to sell its mysterious occupant a house located across from his own. However, after a series of increasingly strange occurrences, the agent soon discovers that the true intentions of his client are far more nefarious than he had believed.
This is a significant film from the silent era that has had a major impact on filmmaking and still holds up by today’s standards in the horror genre. It effectively builds an unsettling atmosphere through its German expressionist imagery, and Count Orlock’s creepy iconography leaves such a strong impression that it’s still referenced in contemporary media over a century later. Since this is a silent film, the actors’ facial expressions and body movements are used to convey their emotions without verbal dialogue, and they perfectly capture each character’s feelings at any given moment. From Hutter’s goofy grinning with his wife to his fearful recoiling from Count Orlock’s menacing presence, the tonal shifts over the course of the film are meticulously expressed by the characters along with the cinematography, lighting, and set design. With its exceptional visual style, dramatic acting, and ominous atmosphere, this film provides an impressively compelling experience that still manages to terrify over 100 years later.
Nosferatu is a must-see film for horror fans, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in film history. It’s such an important film that established fundamental elements in horror filmmaking that are still used in movies today, and it offers some genuinely frightening moments that make it a great film to watch during the Halloween season.
Nosferatu is currently available to stream for free on Plex. Click here to watch its 100th Anniversary Trailer.
– Review by Will Hopper
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