Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Nosferatu" Episode Summary

Release Date: December 25, 2024

In this invigorating episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, host Glenn Weldon invites guests Nikki Burch, Jordan Cruciola, and Roxana Haddadi to discuss the newly released film "Nosferatu." Directed by Robert Eggers, this stylish remake reimagines the classic Dracula tale, blending horror with deep thematic elements.

Introduction to "Nosferatu"

Glenn Weldon sets the stage by outlining the film’s premise and its roots in cinematic history. He explains that "Nosferatu" is a contemporary take on the 1922 silent German film by F.W. Murnau, itself an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula." The film relocates the story from 1890s Britain to 1830s Germany, maintaining key plot points and character names while infusing fresh narrative elements.

Glenn Weldon [03:04]:
"Nosferatu has a strange history. It is a remake of the 1922 silent German film directed by F. W. Murnau, which was itself an unauthorized adaptation... Like that original film, this new Nosferatu relocates most of the Novel's action from 1890s Britain to 1830s Germany."

Cast Highlights:

• Lily Rose Depp as Ellen, the new bride haunted by the malevolent Count Orlok.
• Nicholas Hoult as Thomas, Ellen’s husband who, alongside friends played by Aaron Taylor Johnson and Willem Dafoe, confronts the undead threat.
• Bill Skarsgård portrays Count Orlok, embodying the sinister force of vampirism.

Guest Reactions and Initial Impressions

Nikki Burch commends Robert Eggers for his dedication to creating authentic period pieces, appreciating the meticulous craftsmanship.

Nikki Burch [04:53]:
"I continue to just be dazzled by the fact that Robert Eggers has been able to create the career that he has... I'm glad they moved it to a German setting from England because there's just something darker and scarier about a German setting than there is England."

Roxana Haddadi admires the film's adherence to the original story while pondering her emotional connection to the characters.

Roxana Haddadi [05:45]:
"I would not say that I enjoyed it as much as Jordan did, but I almost think this is not a critique. I almost think I admired it more than I liked it."

Jordan Cruciola highlights the film’s visual allure and technical prowess, particularly the camera work that captivates her as a videographer.

Jordan Cruciola [07:02]:
"Visually it's really stunning. I'm a videographer. I like the camera movements, like, kind of like all the pans that were happening, the shots on sliders, that made me really happy."

Performance Spotlight: Lily Rose Depp

A central focus of the discussion is Lily Rose Depp’s portrayal of Ellen. The guests dissect her performance, balancing physical expressiveness with emotional depth.

Roxana Haddadi [11:01]:
"I think that she is very effective physically... But at the same time, sometimes her line deliveries, I was like, I don't know if I buy the emotion of this necessarily until you're shaking yourself out of bed because you're having a weird vampire sex dream."

Nikki Burch lauds Depp’s fearless approach to complex and grotesque scenes, highlighting her ability to convey intense emotions through physicality.

Nikki Burch [10:14]:
"I love that this delicate little white girl... is like, I'm gonna take that entree and I am going to throw it on the floor and I'm gonna writhe in it and I'm gonna go, like, full possession freak out in the subway. And that makes me incredibly happy."

Themes Explored: Consent and Sexual Violence

The conversation delves deep into the film’s portrayal of consent and sexual violence, a departure from traditional vampire romance narratives.

Glenn Weldon [12:44]:
"Orlok is more a monster, more a clutching thing from the grave. And the sexuality is more about violence than it is about sensuality."

Roxana Haddadi interprets the film as a commentary on consent, resonating with contemporary discussions on women's autonomy and sexual agency.

Roxana Haddadi [15:43]:
"I think that ability to look back on your past and reassess what you did and get a redo, I think that in a romantic sexual context is very interesting to give a female character the opportunity to do in this film."

Nikki Burch adds a layer of dark humor to the theme, portraying Orlok’s advances as manipulative and coercive.

Nikki Burch [20:07]:
"If you read just like the first part of it... she has to come unto me of her own free will. She cannot be forced. She cannot be coerced. But I'm gonna kill everyone and everything."

Visual and Stylistic Elements

The film’s aesthetic is a significant point of discussion, with emphasis on its grotesque and expressive visual storytelling.

Jordan Cruciola [21:36]:
"I go straight to the source. I loved that and, like, the choreography of how that looks and just the sound design and the body motion of the blood-sucking process was so that, like, gets inside you and makes you feel something in one direction or another."

The innovative portrayal of vampire feeding deviates from traditional neck-biting, adding a visceral and unsettling layer to the horror.

Comparative Analysis: Original vs. Remake

Glenn Weldon contrasts Eggers' portrayal of vampirism with previous interpretations, noting a shift from romanticism to pure horror.

Glenn Weldon [14:51]:
"Dracula is telling a story about sexual repression and libidinousness and a woman being freed from repression. And this is telling a different story... straight horror."

Roxana Haddadi and Jordan Cruciola further compare the repellent nature of Orlok to the more seductive vampires of other franchises, appreciating the return to a more monstrous archetype.

Roxana Haddadi [14:58]:
"They are something just really repellent."

Jordan Cruciola [13:48]:
"They are grotesque... It reminded me of the scene in House of the Dragon where Alicent is having sex with Viserys and he's, like, falling apart."

Director Robert Eggers’ Vision

The guests acknowledge Robert Eggers' signature style—meticulous attention to historical detail and atmospheric storytelling—but express a desire for more original narratives over remakes.

Glenn Weldon [07:00]:
"Maybe it's just that Eggers is basically my favorite director now. Maybe I wasn't ready for him to do a remake... I kind of want him to tell original stories."

Nikki Burch appreciates Eggers' boldness in challenging traditional narratives and embracing the grotesque.

Nikki Burch [10:14]:
"I love that this delicate little white girl... is like... full possession freak out in the subway."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the panel reflects on the film's impact and its place within the horror genre. They recommend experiencing "Nosferatu" as a thought-provoking addition to holiday filmography, balancing traditional horror elements with modern thematic concerns.

Jordan Cruciola [22:09]:
"Put on a Christmas triple Baby Girl Nosferatu, and then bring back David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to give yourself the blackest Christmas of all time."

Glenn Weldon encourages listeners to engage with the conversation by sharing their thoughts on social media platforms.

Glenn Weldon [22:18]:
"We want to know what you think about Nosferatu."

Notable Quotes

• Nikki Burch [04:53]:
  "I was filled with dread. The man next to me was having just intermittent panics from the few but very artfully placed jump scares."

• Roxana Haddadi [15:43]:
  "I think that ability to look back on your past and reassess what you did and get a redo, I think that in a romantic sexual context is very interesting to give a female character the opportunity to do in this film."

• Glenn Weldon [12:44]:
  "Orlok is more a monster, more a clutching thing from the grave. And the sexuality is more about violence than it is about sensuality."

• Jordan Cruciola [21:36]:
  "I loved that and, like, the choreography of how that looks and just the sound design and the body motion of the blood-sucking process was so that, like, gets inside you and makes you feel something in one direction or another."

Final Remarks

This episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a comprehensive exploration of "Nosferatu," blending critical analysis with enthusiastic appreciation. The panel’s insightful discussions provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the film's artistic choices, thematic undertones, and its evolution from classic horror to a modern reinterpretation.

For more insights and to join the conversation, listeners are encouraged to visit Pop Culture Happy Hour on Facebook and Letterboxd, with additional links available in the episode description.