Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated retelling of the silent vampire classic Nosferatu has arrived just in time for the holidays. Surprisingly, the film, with its chilling tale of bloodlust and domination, positions itself as a Christmas release. For Eggers, the yuletide backdrop only amplifies the emotional depth of the story.
In an interview with NBC News, Eggers revealed, “Focus Features pitched the Christmas release date to me, and because of what was in the film and my interests, I was really happy about it.”
The Tradition of Christmas Horror
The concept of Christmas-themed horror is not new. Over the decades, films like Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), Christmas Evil (1980), and the Spielberg-produced Gremlins (1984) have blended holiday cheer with frights. Nosferatu aims to join this unique subgenre, adding a gothic flair to the holiday season.
According to Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, “A Christmas Day release like Nosferatu is a welcome creepy gift for film fans and horror buffs alike.”
Even streaming platforms like Shudder celebrate the season’s darker side with specials like The Last Drive-In hosted by Joe Bob Briggs. This year, its Christmas episode features gory double features such as Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale and It’s a Wonderful Knife, accompanied by a charity auction.
Eggers’ Vision for a Wintery Vampire Tale
Eggers’ Nosferatu marks the third adaptation of the classic vampire story, following F.W. Murnau’s 1922 original and Werner Herzog’s 1979 remake. This time, Eggers situates Count Orlok’s terror during Christmastime, a stark juxtaposition of holiday cheer and existential dread.
“There is something cozy about a ghost story around the fire when it’s cold out,” Eggers remarked, likening his film’s aesthetic to the timeless appeal of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
While the festive imagery in Nosferatu is limited, production designer Craig Lathrop ensured meticulous attention to historical detail for the 1830s-set film. His team sourced 200-year-old molds to craft authentic glass ornaments for tabletop Christmas trees.
A Unique Holiday Release
The release of Nosferatu on Christmas Day is a bold choice, especially when competing with family-friendly blockbusters like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Oscar hopefuls like the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. However, the film boasts a star-studded cast, including Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Emma Corrin, which could draw both horror fans and casual moviegoers.
Eggers’ previous films, The Witch (2015), The Lighthouse (2019), and The Northman (2022), have solidified his reputation for atmospheric, detail-driven storytelling. While Nosferatu carries his signature style, its Christmas timing may broaden its appeal.
The Legacy of Holiday Horror
Horror films have thrived during the holiday season before. For example, The Exorcist, released on December 26, 1973, became a cultural phenomenon, grossing nearly $200 million. Eggers’ Nosferatu could potentially replicate such success, offering a hauntingly different cinematic experience amid the season’s typical fare.
Whether Nosferatu will emerge as a Christmas classic or remain a niche gothic masterpiece, it undeniably enriches the tradition of blending festive warmth with chilling darkness. For fans of unconventional holiday tales, this vampire saga may be the perfect cinematic gift.
