Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu has received an extended edition that’s currently available to rent online, but this updated version of the film isn’t as different as many audiences would have expected. The director’s cut only includes four minutes of extra footage, and none of these scenes actually change the story in a meaningful way. Though it may seem disappointing at first, the fact that Eggers’ “ideal” version of this project is so similar to the version that was released is a great sign, and one of the many reasons that it remains the best adaptation of Nosferatu yet.

Nosferatu’s extended cut is something that’s been teased by the director ever since the original version’s theatrical release, proving that it was always his intention to provide fans with some extra material to elevate this story. The extra material builds upon the film’s atmosphere and offers some deeper insight into the film’s mystical characters – which are brought to life by some of the best performances of Robert Eggers’ entire catalog.

Nosferatu’s Extended Cut Is Only Four Minutes Longer Than The Original – What’s Added

Only Two New Scenes Are Included In Nosferatu’s New Version

There aren’t too many changes in Nosferatu’s extended cut, meaning that Eggers’ completed vision of this Gothic tale is only four minutes longer than the version that was released in theaters. Only a couple of scenes were altered in this version, with an extended piece of dialogue during Thomas’ visit to Orlok’s castle taking up the majority of the new runtime. This conversation shows Orlok giving more details about the supernatural ritual that Thomas observes during his journey to Bohemia – nothing that changes the story in any way.

Nosferatu’s extended cut also features some detected scenes that weren’t included in either version of the film. These include a lengthened version of Ellen’s final night with Count Orlok and a more detailed depiction of Ellen’s prayer at the window. Alongside these deleted scenes, the home release of Nosferatu will include various special features that detail the behind-the-scenes production of the film, ranging from interviews with the costume designers to visual effects breakdowns that clarify exactly how much of this big-budget production was done practically.

Nosferatu’s Extended Cut Confirms The Movie Was Already The Perfect Length

Too Many New Scenes Would Have Ruined Nosferatu’s Pacing

While the decision to include just four minutes of extra content in Nosferatu’s extended cut may initially seem disappointing, it’s actually a good sign. Too much new material would have lengthened the story too much, as Nosferatu’s theatrical release was already fairly long. At 2hrs 13mins, there wasn’t much room for extra material in the first place – so it’s good to know that Eggers hasn’t ruined the pacing and momentum of his narrative with this extended edition.

One of the best things about Nosferatu is its slow pacing, which creates a very intentional atmosphere of dread and horror as the story gradually builds to its climax. This is very typical of the Gothic subgenre, but it’s also a dangerous game. While Eggers clearly wanted to take his time with this story, audiences can sometimes get impatient and distracted when the story isn’t evidently progressing. Thankfully, the film’s theatrical release managed to strike this balance perfectly, which is one reason why Nosferatu was such a success at the box office.

Nosferatu Didn’t Need An Extended Cut To Show Robert Eggers’ True Vision

Robert Eggers Already Fit Everything He Wanted Into This Story

The revelation that Nosferatu’s extended cut only has four minutes of new footage also proves something else about the original version. Where many studios would typically place constraints on a director and leave certain scenes on the cutting room floor, it seems like Nosferatu’s theatrical release was strikingly close to Robert Eggers’ original vision. There apparently wasn’t too much extra footage that had to be cut, which suggests he was given complete freedom over the production. This is great news for fans of the director, whose works have always been considered large risks that usually pay off.

While many directors’ cuts serve as “correct” versions that represent the artist’s true vision, Nosferatu’s extended version seems more like an excuse to provide fans with more material and tamper with things that didn’t 100% work the first time around. It’s not strictly necessary, and Eggers hasn’t made any comment about this being the “right” version to watch, which once again suggests how smooth and cooperative this production must have been. Directors are frequently unhappy with the cuts they’re forced to make, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at all with Nosferatu.