damepratt

... THE vampire movie to Gen Z as 1992 Bram Stoker's Dracula was to Gen X?

I watched The Witch and thought it was pretty good, but didn't look into its director and had no idea he directed 2024 Nosferatu, so I have no bias there. Haven't watched the old ones too, but grew up with 1992 Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula so when I saw how similar Nosferatu was (except it's set in Germany), I was rendered surprised.

Nosferatu is no doubt well made, stylish, high quality everything visual. Costume, set, props, look so authentic. My problem with Nosferatu is of all the characters only 2 are likeable, the Hardings. Everyone else just didn't make me sympathize with their plight, especially Ellen. Depp's acting I found was exagerrated, in one scene it looked like she was about to start breakdancing.

I have to admit I kept waiting for Count Orlok to turn young and handsome when he arrived in Wisburg, like Gary Oldman did in 1992, but it never happened. Instead they made him hideous throughout with funny accent and what supernatural being have a use for a moustache???? Such a shame, Bill Skarsgard would have made an excellent seductive vampire.

The back story of how Ellen was connected to Orlok, was weak. Out of loneliness she called for anyone who would answer, distressed and in tears, but nothing was explained on what made her so desperate. The 1992 Bram Stoker's Dracula had far more compelling story of how the count was connected to the female lead.

I do have only the 1992 movie to compare this with, and for me Coppola's far better overall. All the characters were likeable too, so much so you didn't want the hunters to succeed and feel bad for the villain when he died. Today's generation who have never watched the old ones may find 2024 Nosferatu great. But having seen Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves before he is John Wick, Anthony Hopkis, Cary Elwes, and Monica Bellucci, the cast here in Nosferatu just can't compare.

6.5 just for the visuals.

Went in with somewhat higher expectation because having watched Korean series and movies since the 2000's, very familiar with the female lead Song Hye Kyo and that's also how long she has been in the industry. Have to say that Dark Nuns is only her second venture into darker roles, first one being The Glory. Because she is too pretty she had always been previously offered roles as well, a beautiful woman in melodramas. Not entirely her fault because actors often don't get cast for more gritty roles because they're "too beautiful/delicate".

Having said that, Dark Nuns makes me want to see The Priests (2015) and compare both to see how good was the source and how good the sequel fares.

The story is nothing new, two nuns this time instead of priests doing everything they can to save a possessed boy. In my opinion Song still seems too delicate for the role of an exorcist strong enough to hold down the possessed and her decades of good girl image doesn't help, but I think she has potential to someday be a badass character.

Visuals of the movie was fine but with mediocre CGI on one scene. Jeon Yeo Been shines brighter here than in Vincenzo. Just a bit bothered by the idea of "divine powers ultimate combo" to ward off the pesky demon. Doesn't work like that.

Overall a decent watch. Definitely watch it if you're a fan of SHK to encourage future grittier, bad girl role pick from her.

Finally a truly biased last part: giving an otherwise 7 star rating an extra 1 star to support the hallyu queen, and so happy to see Dark Nuns does well while Bogota, Loh Ki Wan and Hopeless flop miserably, ha! If you know, you know!