waywarddrifters

I'm confused by reviews which suggest this movie has no plot. It has a clearly defined plot, and a couple of minor subplots, but they weave together cohesively. Those who say there isn't a plot here must have the attention span of mosquitos.

The acting is solid across the board, with Vigo Mortensen and Jeremy Irons being the most stand-out. Renee Zelllweger showcases a different side of her acting chops, and really delivers. In fact, this might be my favorite performance of hers. That said, Ed Harris is good in this too, but I feel his character was underwritten in ways, and it kind of shows up in waves throughout the movie.

The cinematography is fantastic, the score is wonderful, and the editing is solid. Yes, this is a slow burn in ways, and the pacing isn't going to make those who want a two hour "bang-bang-shoot-em-up" western happy. That's not what this film is at all. But if you're looking for a well told story showcasing the dichotomy between loyalty and disloyalty, and staying true to yourself even when tested against the odds, this is a great movie to sit down with.

One viewing of this movie tells much. Robert Eggers definitely sunk his passion into it. He also surely liked both "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and the 1977 BBC adaptation. That said, I respectfully disagree with those who call this a rip-off of the former. Inspired by? Surely! A "rip-off?" Not hardly.

There are some shots and some elements reminiscent of BSD, but Eggers put his own stamp on a heavily retold tale.

What I like about it:

The cinematography is astounding! It's one of the most lovely films I've seen in a while.

The acting is superb - not a weak link in an amazing cast! Lily Rose-Depp is especially spectacular. As are Bill Skarsgård and Nicholas Hoult.

The suspense is solid throughout, and the pacing ultimately holds up well.

I love that they made Orlok look like a tattered Eastern European nobleman too. It's a different yet fitting thing to incorporate.

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There are only two things I didn't care for within this film: Those who say it's a bit dark aren't wrong. Certain shots could have used a bit more light.

And my biggest criticism is the amount of reverb on the Count's voice. It made sense in the castle scene, but it carries on throughout the entire movie - even where nothing else echoes with any kind of reverb. It's also so saturated that it's hard to make out certain words that Orlok is saying. Outside of that, I don't think a lot of the criticisms people are throwing at this movie are just. It's a great take on a tale that has been told a hundred ways. While not the rip-off of BSD that people say it is, it's the best take on this story since that film - by far. Well with a watch!

This movie isn't horrible. I've seen far worse. But for all the hype surrounding this one, it doesn't hit the home run. It's barely a base hit.

The story is decent, the acting is stellar, the direction is solid, and the fx are good. The movie is well worth a watch, but I don't think I'll be adding it to my collection or revisiting this one.

What starts as a strong and ambiguous thriller, morphs into so many twists, turns, and shifts, that it's hard to stay invested. Had they gone more subtle in that respect, and eased up on the jump scares, it could have gone down as much more noteworthy. That said, it is good enough to recommend watching. Judge for yourself!