Herzog's Nosferatu

Herzog's Nosferatu is a conversation about the legacy of Nosferatu and Germany's postwar status. This version mines existential dread, the inevitability of death as an allegorical myth on Germany's post-Holocaust trauma. It interrogates nostalgia with Germany's complicity towards the Holocaust with evil being internally spread and not being an external threat.

Herzog's Nosferatu presents the eponymous vampire as a tragic figure, hence avoiding the otherness of the original and allowing subtlety and nuance. There's layered acting and physicality to it. Overall Herzog's Nosferatu is a thoughtful mediation on the original while examining post-war Germany through allegory.

Technically Herzog's Nosferatu is moody and atmospheric in tone and style. Its dreamlike imagery is enforced by landscape paintings, natural lighting, and focus. The restrained editing, which consists of fades and smash cuts, guides the drama and the narrative. Its music combines opera elements and folk songs to accentuate the Gothic worldbuilding.

The production design conveys scale, size, and Gothic tone (especially the Count's castle). Its cast while lacking fame are suited for their role. The effects consist of makeup, practical design, and blood to complement the tone and accentuate horror and tension. Overall Herzog's Nosferatu technically is an extension of F.W. Marnau's original while forging its own identity. It's marvelous.

Writing:8/10

Direction:9/10

Cinematography: 10/10

Acting:9/10

Editing:10/10

Sound:10/10

Score:10/10

Prod design:10/10

Casting:8/10

Effects:9/10

Overall Score: 9.1/10