Title: Embracing Nosferatu's Iconic Facial Feature
Count Orlok in the film adaptation of Nosferatu by director Robert Eggers is more than just a decaying exterior. Eggers deliberately strayed away from both the classic Nosferatu look and the modern, appealing vampires, like Edward Cullen from Twilight. He wanted to tap into the fear that early Balkan and Slavic folklore had towards vampires.
Eggers explained, "The most appreciated contemporary vampire, Edward Cullen from Twilight, is not scary at all." So, he went back to the roots, where vampires looked like rotting corpses, resembling modern-day zombies. Nicholas Hoult, who played the love interest in Warm Bodies, was cast as Thomas Hutter. Hoult's character is unfortunate enough to be cuckolded by Orlok's centuries-old power.
The mustache Bill Skarsgård sports as Orlok is a key component of his character. Eggers believed that it was essential for Orlok to fit into the historical context of Transylvanian noblemen, most of whom wore mustaches or beards. Skarsgård's transformation into Orlok was a significant process involving prosthetic makeup and wardrobe changes. The actor found the process intimidating at first, but he eventually embraced the character.
Orlok's performance was intense, according to Skarsgård. He shared that the role took a toll on him and described it as conjuring pure evil. Skarsgård managed to portray Orlok as a seductive yet revolting character, making him stand out among modern vampires with their glittering chests and luscious golden locks.
In a nod to historical accuracy, Orlok's appearance is a far cry from the more romanticized, sexualized vampires. Eggers aimed to make vampires scary again, returning to the grotesque roots of vampire lore. With Orlok, Eggers achieved a balance of revulsion and attraction, making him a fascinating character. Orlok's portrayal in Nosferatu is a testament to Eggers' commitment to historical accuracy and his goal of making vampires terrifying again.
Source: Gold Derby, Esquire
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Eggers' choices for Orlok's appearance and portrayal were driven by a desire to make a more historically accurate and terrifying vampire. Some of the key elements he added include a mustache, which is a part of Transylvanian noblemen's cultural heritage. Orlok's clothing is inspired by 16th-century Hungarian finery, complete with long sleeves and high-heeled shoes. To achieve Orlok's transformation, Skarsgård underwent significant prosthetic makeup and wardrobe changes. The actor initially found the prosthetics intimidating, but he eventually fully embraced the character.
Eggers also aimed to ground Orlok in reality by drawing inspiration from European folklore. He returned to the roots of vampire lore, where vampires were often depicted as putrid corpses. Eggers believed that this approach would make Orlok more terrifying and make vampires scary again. The transformation process was a massive undertaking for Skarsgård, who described it as "daunting", but he eventually became fully immersed in the character.
Eggers expressed his thoughts on modern vampires in movies, saying, "The most appreciated contemporary vampire, Edward Cullen from Twilight, is not scary at all." In the future, he wanted to reintroduce the fear of vampires by looking back at their horrifying roots in folklore. Furthermore, in an interview with io9, Eggers discussed how modern technology played a role in the filmmaking process, specifically in creating Orlok's terrifying appearance.
