Nosferatu

Released Mar 5, 1922

1 hr. 5 min.

Horror

Fantasy

List

97%

74 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this highly influential silent horror film, the mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck) summons Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) to his remote Transylvanian castle in the mountains. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen (Greta Schroeder). After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok's servant, Knock (Alexander Granach), prepares for his master to arrive at his new home.

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Critics Consensus

One of the silent era's most influential masterpieces, Nosferatu's eerie, gothic feel -- and a chilling performance from Max Schreck as the vampire -- set the template for the horror films that followed.

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Alejandro E

The film that opened the door to the vampire genre. Photography and silent history still preserve their charm and are far from becoming obsolete. As a curiosity you have to explore it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Jonathan C

One of first great horror and vampire films, Nosferatu stands out to me as both an overrated and perfectly rated film. The film delivers as a horror film with the haunting performance of Max Schreck as Nosferatu and the German expressionism. German expressionism is (unfortunately) not very common in cinema now but, it's a staple in both gothic and silent films so I very much enjoyed seeing it here; however, I found the film lacking German expressionism all throughout with it only being strong during some parts in the second act. The score was absolutely beautiful and it's definitely one of my favorites. The story is good but the pacing is pretty choppy and the performance by Gustav von Wangenheim being overly dramatic making some scenes feel a bit goofy. For the most part Nosferatu is very good film but it does have its issues.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

James B

This film is unintended to be scary and it is very so much it was banned that alone proves how good it was and it was my first silent movie and they are definitely different to say the least

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

Full Review

Jennie B

I love this film. It is one of the very first horror films. The use of shadow and the cinematography give it an unsettling feel in places. Obviously the acting styles of today are much changed from those of the past but it still holds up well. There is also subtle religious imagery thrown in that passed me over the first few times I watched the film. The scene where the doors are being marked with chalk is akin to the rituals of the Epiphany where the liminal spaces of a home are marked with blessed chalk. It is definitely worth watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

David H

The absolute OG of horror movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/08/23

Full Review

KUSH 2

very dope movie especially for its time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

Full Review

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F.W. Murnau

Director

Max Schreck

Graf Orlok

Alexander Granach

Knock

Gustav von Wangenheim

Hutter

Greta Schroeder

Ellen Hutter

G.H. Schnell

Westenra

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Kate Cameron

New York Daily News

The action of the picture is so disconnected as to make the continuity confusing. However, this one certainly holds interest, for its extreme weirdness and its unusual photography.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 8, 2021

Full Review

Tom Huddleston

Time Out

So this is it: ground zero, the birth of horror cinema.

Oct 14, 2014

Full Review

Noel Murray

The Dissolve

The movie's best effect is its star...He looks every bit like an actual demonic wild-thing, retrieved from deep within the German wilderness and trotted out to perform for Murnau's camera.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 19, 2013

Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

Responsible for starting things off for horror (Dracula/vampire) films, Nosferatu leaves quite a bite thanks to its iconic lead performance and use of practical effects wizardry. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 9, 2024

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a fully realised version of the Dracula myth, and even today has the power to disconcert and create unease in a world struggling to reach the post-pandemic phase…

Rated: 5/5

Oct 26, 2022

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The first screen adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” in everything but name, F.W. Murnau’s "Nosferatu"... remains the most beautiful and resonant interpretation of the defining vampire novel.

Oct 15, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this highly influential silent horror film, the mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck) summons Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) to his remote Transylvanian castle in the mountains. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen (Greta Schroeder). After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok's servant, Knock (Alexander Granach), prepares for his master to arrive at his new home.

Director: F.W. Murnau
Screenwriter: Henrik Galeen, Bram Stoker
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., Republic Pictures, Hollywood's Attic, GoodTimes Home Video [us], Sinister Cinema, Grapevine Video, Video Yesteryear, Reel Media International [us], BijouFlix Releasing, Kino Video
Production Co: Jofa-Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 1922, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 15, 2008
Aspect Ratio: Academy (1.33:1), 35mm

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