Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu not only ranks among the best films of 2024, but it’s also one of the strongest pieces of gothic horror in recent memory. A month after its theatrical debut, the director released an extended version of the film that includes several new moments, a handful of deleted scenes, and a long list of behind-the-scenes features to offer a deeper glimpse into the movie’s production. However, many fans were disappointed with the amount of new material in the extended version.
Eggers’ take on Nosferatu is an extremely atmospheric and eerie reimagining of Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula, with a few important twists to separate it from the source text. The narrative follows a man named Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), who travels to Bohemia to help the ancient Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) purchase property in Germany, but the elusive vampire ends up bringing nothing but death and darkness. Eggers’ is one of the best adaptations of Nosferatu thanks to his slow, methodical pacing and the cast’s absorbing performances, but the extended cut arguably leaves more to be desired.
Robert Eggers Added Two New Scenes To Nosferatu’s Extended Cut
There Seemingly Wasn’t Much To Change
Nosferatu’s new extended cut only features four minutes of new footage, lengthening two scenes that were already included in the theatrical version. These additional scenes are easy to miss upon a first watch, as they’re filled with much of the same imagery that appears throughout the story. This is admittedly very uncommon for an extended cut of this magnitude, where most directors would try to include as much new material as possible, and the release is slightly underwhelming.
But it’s also a good sign, proving that Eggers’ true vision is the version that was released in theaters; everything else that comes in the director’s cut is just a bonus. The lack of new material suggests that Nosferatu‘s production was a particularly smooth and cohesive one, without too many scenes left on the cutting room floor. This is likely why Nosferatu ended up being Robert Eggers’ best movie yet, providing that studios trust the filmmaker to bring his exact vision to life on the screen.
The First New Scene In Nosferatu’s Extended Cut Is A Count Orlok Monologue
The Scene Happens Upon Hutter’s Arrival At The Castle
The first (and longest) of Nosferatu‘s two new scenes takes place fairly early in the film, as Thomas arrives at Orlok’s castle and hands over the paperwork for his new property in Germany. In the theatrical cut, Thomas briefly mentions the ritual that he witnessed at a tavern during his journey, where the townspeople dug up a body from the forest and impaled it with a stake. Orlok doesn’t respond in much detail in the original version, but there is a much longer and interesting monologue in the screenplay.
He also gives an incredibly creepy laugh, which helps establish him as an unpredictable and unnatural presence.
This scene was added to Nosferatu‘s extended edition, and Count Orlok delivers a chilling monologue that explains the purpose behind this ritual and makes Thomas question exactly what he saw in the woods. He also gives an incredibly creepy laugh, which helps establish him as an unpredictable and unnatural presence. The scene was likely cut because of its irrelevance to the overall story but still aids in characterization.
The Second New Scene In Nosferatu’s Extended Cut Shows More Of The Second Night
A Shorter Clip Sees Ellen And Thomas Haunted By Count Orlok
Nosferatu‘s second extra scene is much shorter than the first, but it’s an extremely interesting addition that speaks volumes about Eggers’ personal interpretation of the story. The scene takes place during the “second night,” displaying Count Orlok’s shadow pᴀssing over Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) and Thomas as they sleep. This is also a creepy scene that proves how obsessed Orlok is with their relationship, demonstrating that he’s always watching over them. This scene comes shortly before Nosferatu‘s ending and foreshadows Ellen’s eventual acceptance of agency over her own fate.
The scene also doesn’t advance the story in any meaningful way, but it’s clear why Eggers decided to include this sH๏τ in his extended cut of Nosferatu. It furthers the narrative’s ongoing themes of obsession and autonomy, proving that Orlok has complete control over Ellen’s relationship, but agrees to spare her loved ones if she comes to him of her own volition. It’s a powerful scene that makes Nosferatu‘s final act even more frightening and Orlok an even more formidable villain.
