With it’s Christmas Day release looming, Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu remake has been issued a rating by the MPA, and it’ll no doubt delight genre fans.
Garnering a solid “R” rating, Nosferatu is said to contain “bloody violent content, graphic nudity and some sexual content”
Now, doesn’t that sound fun? This description tracks with what star Bill Skarsgard has previously said about his portrayal of Count Orlok. Describing his performance earlier this year, Skarsgard stated:
“He’s gross. But it is very sexualized. It’s playing with a sexual fetish about the power of the monster and what that appeal has to you. Hopefully you’ll get a little bit attracted by it and disgusted by your attraction at the same time.”
The rating comes as Focus Features stand firm on their marketing stance. Undoubtedly the biggest selling point for Nosferatu, the studio is refusing to let the public see Skarsgard in character as Orlok. In a ballsy statement, the studio confirmed to potential audience members that if they want to see Skarsgard’s grotesque villain, they’ll have to see the film. Admirable dedication, indeed, but will it result in more tickets sold? We hope so!
Of his transformation into Count Orlok, Skarsgard has spoken of the toll the performance took on him, whilst also hoping he’ll be completely unrecognizable:
“It took its toll; it was like conjuring pure evil. It took a while for me to shake off the demon that had been conjured inside of me. I do not think people are gonna recognize me in it.”
So, Eggers’ reimagining of the 1922 classic seems full of promise, but will it deliver at the box-office? We’ll find out following its release on December 25th.
