Bill Skarsgård has opened up about the challenges he faced while filming the climactic scene of Nosferatu, Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated adaptation of the classic gothic tale. In the film, Skarsgård plays the vampire Count Orlok, whose obsessive pursuit of a young woman named Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) drives the narrative.
The movie, which also stars Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, and Ralph Ineson, has garnered critical acclaim and performed well at the box office, grossing over $56 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing horror films of 2024.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Skarsgård shared the difficulties he encountered while filming the film’s finale.
The actor explained that the extensive prosthetics required to portray the monstrous Count Orlok were incredibly cumbersome. He described being “covered in latex, full body,” with only his eyeballs and the soles of his feet exposed.
As the crew filmed the final scene, which required numerous takes, Skarsgård’s physical performance took a toll on him. After 30 takes, the actor became exhausted, with sweat accumulating under the layers of latex.
This led to a large bubble forming on his stomach, which eventually had to be pierced between takes. He also mentioned that the scene involved fake blood, sweat, and saliva, creating a “gory mess” on set.
The Nosferatu ending features a dramatic and intense moment where Count Orlok comes to Ellen’s home one last time.
Bill Skarsgard (Photo: Shutterstock)
In this powerful scene, Orlok is shown feeding on Ellen, with the two locked in a violent and passionate struggle. As he drains her blood, Ellen, despite being on the brink of death, manages to bring about Orlok’s demise.
Lured by her, the vampire villain is ultimately scalded by the morning sunlight that floods the room, causing him to wither away and die atop Ellen.
Skarsgård’s behind-the-scenes account reveals the complex and demanding nature of filming the scene. With an array of prosthetics and practical effects involved, it’s clear why so many takes were necessary to achieve the desired result.
The scene stands in stark contrast to the 1922 version of Nosferatu, where Max Schreck’s portrayal of Count Orlok also features a moment of blood-sucking, but lacks the same emotional intensity and visual impact as Eggers’ modern interpretation.
Advances in technology played a significant role in elevating the sequence, bringing it into the world of more technical complexity than the original.
The makeup and practical effects used in Nosferatu are not only vital to creating the eerie atmosphere of the film, but they also demonstrate the significant labor and creativity involved in crafting the “gory” and ominous aesthetic essential to the film’s atmosphere.
As the Academy Award nominations draw near, it will be intriguing to see whether Nosferatu will be recognized for its technical achievements, particularly in the makeup category, given the challenges and effort that went into bringing the Count to life.
