“Wuthering Heights” inspiration on “Nosferatu” (2024)

Robert Eggers revealed, in several interviews, that “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë was his main inspiration for this story, even over the “Dracula” novel itself. What Eggers did with the “Dracula” themes was, in fact, a subversion. “Nosferatu” (2024) is “Wuthering Heights” on steroids, horror version.

“It was always clear to me that Nosferatu is a demon lover story, and one of the great demon lover stories of all time is Wuthering Heights, which I returned to a lot while writing this script,” Eggers explained. “As a character, Heathcliff is an absolute bastard towards Cathy in the novel, and you’re always questioning whether he really loves her, or if he just wants to possess and destroy her.” (Robert Eggers wants you to see his Nosferatu as both a lover and a biter (interview)

“[Orlok] represents a sort of forbidden desire for Ellen […] Eggers, for his part, was eager to bring out the sexual subtext of Nosferatu, calling his version a clear “demon lover story” and likening it to Wuthering Heights (which he reread while trying to crack the script) […] the only ‘person’ that she can kind of connect with is this demonic force, this vampire, this demon lover. [And] Orlok is also alone.” (Nosferatu director needed Bill Skarsgård’s vampire to look like a creepy corpse - Interview)

"This is also a demon-lover story, like Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. Is Heathcliff really interested in Cathy, or does he want to possess and destroy her? You’re drawn into that story, but it certainly is not a healthy relationship." (The Melodrama of Robert Eggers)

“Yes, it is a scary horror movie with a lot of dread and even some jump scares. But more than that, it is a tale of love and obsession and a Gothic romance. (Filmmaker Robert Eggers Talks 'Nosferatu' and Remaking a Classic)

The “Wuthering Heights” inspiration is seen in themes throughout the film:

• Ghost at the Window: Orlok's shadow at Ellen's window during her teenage years;
• Love Triangle: free-spirited and medicalized woman (Ellen/Catherine); beastly man (Orlok/Heathcliff) and a gentleman (Thomas Hutter/Edgar Lindon);
• Locket with Lock of Hair: "haunt me, then";
• Catherine’s Madness and Ellen’s Sickness: "I am Heathcliff!"/Ellen believing Orlok is a demon possessing her;
• Destructive Power of Love and “Blood Plague”: Orlok forcing the characters to relive his own dark trauma through their "blood plague" deliriums;
• Separated by death/United by death.

Ghost at the Window

"Come in! come in!" he sobbed. "Cathy, do come. Oh, do—once more! Oh! my heart's darling! hear me this time, Catherine, at last!" The spectre showed a spectre's ordinary caprice: it gave no sign of being; but the snow and wind whirled wildly through, even reaching my station, and blowing out the light.

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And yet another person who didn't understand anything about the film to think that Thomas is the best choice for Ellen...

Seriously, what is this constant romanticization of Thomas' character ? Do you really want a misogynistic guy who doesn't take anything you say seriously, constantly infantilizes / diminishes you, and doesn't take into account your desires / needs on a material, emotional, and sexual level ? If anyone doesn't really care about Ellen's feelings, between Thomas and Orlok, it's Thomas and not Orlok (the vampire literally being a reflection of Ellen, who she really is and what she really desires). And moreover, beyond the romanticization of Thomas, the fact of seeing Orlok as a simple monster proves that this person understood nothing about the film. And damn, if this person once again refers to the possession scene I'm going to freak out, because this scene is the complete opposite of proof of great love on Thomas's part ! So the real good question would be if this person really saw this scene ?! Not understanding a film at this point almost fascinates me... At this stage reading @apoloadonisandnarcissus analyzes on this movie becomes of public utility !

“Robert Eggers Count Orlok is Count Dracula”.

No, he's Heathcliff from “Wuthering Heights”, consumed by grief and anger after Catherine’s death, and if ever he returned back from the dead and cursed to be a vampire/strigoi. Like Heathcliff, this Orlok is forcing his dark trauma over the death of 16th century Ellen on his victims through their blood plague deliriums: unbearable guilt (Thomas Hutter) burdens of reproduction (Anna Harding); maddening grief (Friedrich Harding); wanting to be executed (Herr Knock), to make 19th century Ellen “remember” how they once were (“you could never please me as he could”; “she was with child”; witnessing Friedrich Harding grief).

"You said I killed you–haunt me then. The murdered do haunt their murderers. I believe–I know that ghosts have wandered the earth. Be with me always–take any form–drive me mad. Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!”

Handsome

This is Toti's mugshot btw

Man is a hoe and has never done anything wrong in his life.