The representation of vampires has changed over the years, but historically accurate vampire culture hasn’t been overlooked. Both the 1922 and 2024 versions of the Nosferatu follow the classic storyline of vampire culture. The two films also utilize the classic black and white visuals, follow similar structures based on the original novel where Orlok, the vampire, targets the real estate agent’s wife, and both movies sometimes even have exactly the same dialogue. While following the original story, the 2024 version does an amazing job at not only modernizing the film, but also enhancing the culture, and more accurately depicting vampire heritage.
While in both films Orlok is depicted as a monster, their portrayals are very different. In the 1922 film, the vampire is seen as a monstrous figure with a traditional sense of horror, including his long, claw-like fingers, sharp features, a bald head, and pointed ears. The 2024 version portrays him more as a zombie-like character, rather than a species separate from humans. He even has a mustache, which is congruent with the original novel. The modernized version uses grotesque imagery, depicting him as a decaying, mangled, resurrected corpse.
While the 1922 version had very minimal, sharp shadows, the 2024 version’s modernism took it to another level. The new version used graphic and unsettling images, leading more towards shock value. This film strived to accurately depict historical 19th-century costumes and settings while still adding the inevitable modern charm.
The 1922 version was also influenced by its time period more heavily than the new version. Orlok had the ability to spread the plague, in connection to the post-World War I events and worries about the influenza epidemic, which makes him seen as more of a threat to society as a whole. This highlights how the story is more based on the time it was made. The 1922 version deals with more horror based on real life while the modern version incorporates folklore and historical vampire elements, with Orlok having a large variety of powers in this version, including shapeshifting and mind control. He has more of a vampire mythological and culturally appropriate background, being portrayed as not only a physical threat but also a mental one as well.
One of the most distinct differences between these two films is the character development. The 1922 version was very limited since it was a silent film, so character portrayal was also limited to mere physical gestures and title cards. Ellen, Orlok’s victim in the film, is shown to be very helpless. The 2024 version does a great job at furthering her character and the relationship between her and the count. In this modernized film, Ellen sacrifices herself to eliminate Orlok of her own accord, showing her growing character development in contrast to her static character in the older version.
While the 1922 film set the groundwork for many beliefs today, such as the fatality of sunlight and appearance, the 2024 version is seen as the more accurate depiction of vampire culture by fans. Actor Bill Skarsgård dedicated his time to not only improve and modernize the film but also made sure to expand the history of vampire tradition, simultaneously paying homage to the original and reimagining the original film. This film is great for more dedicated audience members who want a deeper understanding of the traditions and cultures of vampires that came from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
