Film Review: Nosferatu is in Conversation with Barbie

Nosferatu is in conversation with Barbie. However, it talks a lot but makes few solid points. It could use more humor or break into song (see Sweeney Todd -yes, even the film version -yes, when Depp is in profile, looking into the distance, Nosferatu is pregnant with potential for song). It could use more Björk from The Northman -Dafoe and Simon McBurney’s characters aren’t enough to carry it. It could use more Kate McKinnon and Weird Barbie -Ann Harding (even with her children) aren’t enough (to Ellen); Nor are Thomas Hutter to Friedrich Harding (and to Ellen) or Dr. Siever to Prof. Eberhart Von Franz.

Another difference, and perhaps point about lack of subtlety, there’s a lot of “to” in Nosferatu and not a lot of “with.” Even Providence and Ellen’s potential agency in summoning the creature feel removed of force of their own. Everything is someone else’s fault. No ownership -but hardly, given the restraint from chaos or powerful landing at the end. It could’ve been enclosed within Ellen, but then why Von Franz’s comment that she would’ve been a priestess in heathen times. Too mottled.