Nosferatu in 2024

By Vittoria Vignolo

With the release of the 2024 version of Nosferatu (1922), there has been many discussions on its meaning and its ending, particularly on social media. 

In my opinion, this story is very important as it highlights and emphasises the significance of mental illness, particularly women’s mental health. In this version, the figure of the woman is put in a spotlight,or controversially, is shown as a repressed figure. 

While Ellen suffers from mental illness and is haunted by horrible nightmares, her emotions are often overlooked and rejected by her own husband Thomas. This emphasises the idea of women considered to be “weaker and dramatic”. She is also existing in a society that completely disregards her physical and psychological needs. I thought that this newer version of the film was very successful in portraying this idea of rejecting women’s sexual and mental repressions.

This also explains the psychic and unhealthy relationship that Ellen develops with count Orlok over the years, as the nightmares take over her life and everyone else’s around her. This physical need that Ellen feels for Count Orlok reflects how sexual repression and mental illness are often overlooked.

It is rather interesting the approach that the various characters had towards her during her nightmares and her illness. Throughout the movie, everyone treats her as helplessly hysterical.  However, we can see the relationship between the two main female characters develop as Ellen’s character falls down with her illness. To this regard, it is a very significant portrayal of how mental illness impacts not only the affected but also their relationships with others. As Ellen’s condition worsens, the relationship between the two women is tested, showing support and creating a deeper bond between them.

The meaning of Nosferatu is particularly significant for film history, as the first version came out in 1922 and set a pretty high standard for the horror genre of the moment. With its incredible plot and excellent symbolism, Nosferatu influenced many other films that were produced afterwards. 

I believe that this version is rather historically and culturally accurate, as Robert Eggers succeeds to represent accurately the history and the hierarchical aspect of society at the time. 

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