Nosferatu (2024)

Forget everything you know about F. W. Murnau's original 1922 silent German Expressionist horror film. This is a completely new interpretation. Originally based on Bram Stoker's Dracula (with just enough details changed to escape copyright infringement), it tells the story of a woman and her connection to an ancient evil spirit.

Robert Eggers is one of those filmmakers (like Ari Aster) who has carved out his own path with a singular vision and niche style of storytelling. Even when I'm not totally in love with that vision, I admire it more for its audacity in the face of mainstream values.

While I imagine this film won't be for everyone (it's very slow, with lots of lingering shadow play), it's unique enough to leave an indelible impression on the viewer. It's more of a dark, brooding mood piece than anything.

4 plague-infested rats out of 5

THE WITCH [2015]

aka

The VVitch: A New England Folktale

Robert Eggers makes his feature-length directorial debut with the deeply disturbing and thoughtfully hypnotizing atmospheric horror film The VVitch.
Set in the early 1600's, it tells the tale of a New England family, who are banished from their Puritan settlement, only to settle deep in the woods where it appears some sort of evil is at work.
The film floods the viewer with a intense feeling of claustrophobia and dread by shooting the stark landscape in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio, using only natural lighting and a immensely creepy score from composer Mark Korven.  Studying the effects of blind religious hysteria, fear of the unknown and coming of age makes for a simple & quiet but very effective film that leaves a lasting effect.

4 creepy stalking bunnies out of 5