Geez... You're f-cking exhausting. All you ever seem to do is attempt to drain ALL the joy, fun and excitement out of mainstream movies & entertainment in general. Sadly, this is why I can't subscribe to your channel...
What I love about gothic horror and gothic romance is that it allows me as a reader/viewer to sit with dark and thrilling feelings without immediately trying to rationalize them. It just says: this is what can happen, this is what it can do to us.
YES exactly, gothic is all about the irrational, and sitting in that fascination and revulsion of confronting the unknowable. And also being campy and unhinged. God I love gothic shit 😅
I recently read Carmilla and honestly she is far more of a predator than Eggers’ Orlok is. Orlok only awakens because Ellen summons him, he was dead in his grave until he hears her call. While she loves Thomas there is a vein (no pun intended) of desire coming out of her for Orlok, she craves him the way he craves her. In Carmilla, the vampire is a TRUE predator. She isn’t summoned, she manipulates her victims into welcoming her into their homes, she doesn’t pick one victim but instead has a “type” that she consistently goes after (beautiful teenaged girls, especially those related to her from when she was human). Orlok wants one person and his atrocities are done to get her back, while Carmilla is just a creep. I wanted it to be sexy and romantic like the Carmilla webseries was, but the vampire in the novella just gives off asshole predatory fuckboy vibes.
I’ve seen several Twilight fans in groups I’m in trying to dismiss the film as a whole because it’s “romanticizing abuse” and I still can’t really wrap my head around it. I did not see the relationship between Ellen and Orlok as something to idolize, I saw it as an unhealthy, supernatural connection that posed a threat to the lives of Ellen and those around her and that seems to be the consensus with most people. I get it if the movie isn’t their thing, but it struck me as odd when there’s a fair many arguments to make about how unhealthy and actually romanticized the relationships in Twilight are. I have fun in Twilight spaces because the memes are great and the discussions are actually quite nuanced, so seeing people just writing Nosferatu off as “it’s unhealthy so it’s garbage” was surprising.
"Romanticizing abuse" has to be one of the most well, abused terms in the English language, currently. I think a lot of it is mostly from the terminally on line parts of Gen Z and younger. Hopefully as their brains develop and learn more nuance it will alleviate. Plus I don't know maybe the harsh economic times we live in and awareness of abuse and "power imbalance" has made the younger generation much more wary of romantic and sexual relationships. Young women in a good chunk of the country have to be very careful now of getting pregnant as abortion is a crime in some states now or virtually inaccessible. I could see why romance is much scarier to the younger generation. I'm not even sure the stereotype of the young girl dreaming of having a boyfriend and looking forward to romance exists much anymore.
Yeah. The movie gets that Orlok is very bad news & her attraction to him is part of a self-destructive streak. Thematically, very similar for Babygirl, which got wide release on the same day.
many are also viewing their relationship as purely romantic and romanticizing their rs as well. many different people are analyzing this movie in very directly opposing ways.
I mean the literal grooming depicted and glorified in twilight between the renesme and jacob is probably more irridemable than anything in this movie. I think they don't like it because its not a "cute and wholesome" romance I feel "wholesome" shippers are very hypocritical about how toxic there own ships are while attacking others at least toxic shippers are like I know its fucked up but I like it anyway.
I once thought like that too about Twilight. And I still do, a little. But what I truly hate about Twilight is that all the characters are awful, and novels are riddled with massive unfortunate implications (racial, sexual, gender wise), no doubt reflecting Meyers' bias, narrow worldview, and lack of proper research. The Twilight universe is an awful, cold, shallow and weirdly conservative place. With Bella treated like the most beloved heroine when there are times when she isn't. Bella's character is an unhealthy blend of selfishness, main character syndrome, blandness, not-like-other-girls syndrome, and possibly Hybristophilia. Meyers wrote Bella as unintentionally bad, and Edward just as bad if not more so. But that is just my opinion.
For me, Ellen’s sacrifice in the film reminded me a lot of Dani’s sacrifice in ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’. Both of them were basically doomed to have a tragic end and were forced to choose between giving themselves up or being forced to and also losing their loved ones in the process. At the end of their stories, they chose to sacrifice themselves on their own terms and made sure that their antagonist/villain was never able to hurt or kill anyone ever again. They both basically broke the cycle of pain/suffering and that in a sense is quite beautiful.
Also reminiscent of another Flanagan Project. In "Midnight Mass" Erin "tricks" the "angel" into feeding from her, when it tries to break away to flee the sunlight, she forces its head down into biting her again, and cuts holes in its wings to prevent its escape, ultimately killing it.
32:50 changed my brain chemistry. "You can consent to inviting them into your home and that doesn't mean you consent to being harmed after. You can rescind consent at any time - except to a monster"
Nosferatu has actually been a great entry point into talking about nuance and ambivalence with some of my friends and family. Also the carriage scene with Thomas? I’ve never been so tense over an inanimate object
The lead-up to the carriage scene with Thomas walking up to the crossroads is such a perfectly framed and shot image that I can't even handle it. Even after Thomas arrives at the castle, the framing of him walking through the door with all of the various shaped archways ......*chef's kiss* I love Eggers and his cinematographer, Jaron Blaschke, so so much. I hope they make a hundred more movies together.
I so deeply feel this. I got to a point the other year with all this moral discourse where I just threw my hands up and said, "I'm tired of pretending I don't understand nuance and the human condition" because sometimes this hyperfixation on moral perfection feels like a willful denial of intelligence.
Eggers is about to do a Labyrinth sequel. When you think about it, that has a fairly similar plot with a young woman calling out for help escaping her mundane life. It's answered by a man who understands her deepest desires, but probably just plans to murder her.
Yeah, I'd probably trust him with it. The costumes alone would be neat. Frankly the only reasons I'm not super jazzed about it are that the music probably won't be as good since Bowie's unavailable due to death, and that I generally don't think the movie needs a sequel.
Using the topic of incest, and its implication about the decay of a family unit was a compelling was to compare the 'sexiness' some viewers' struggle to experience between Ellen and Orlock, in spite it obviously not seeming okay. I think some people may have forgotten this was an R rated Gothic Horror, more akin to Midnight Mass, than Twilight.
I’m glad to see the reference to Midnight Mass. I think Midnight Mass and Nosferatu have a lot in common, but I would have to do a lot more thinking about it.
I cannot begin to explain the excitement I felt when I saw the words “Princess Weekes” and “Nosferatu” together. Thank you as always for another banger video, and for bringing me some joy by rambling about vampires and gothic horror/romance when I’ve felt like it was hard to breathe this past week. I’m so sorry for your loss, you never need to apologize for being human & getting dragged through the experience of being human. Take care of yourself, we’re gonna get through this as a team 💕
In the Final Thoughts section - oh lord, I didn't know that... That's absolutely a huge amount of emotional work you suddenly have to do. Heck, we the audience benefit from your choosing to make content to work thru it, but the important part is if it's good for YOU! You said earlier in the video - just because you have a desire to do something, doesn't mean it's healthy for you! May you have supportive people around you and meet gentle strangers in 2025.
I’m so glad you talked about even the men who listen to her still being willing to use her as a sacrifice. I keep thinking about how the first thing the professor does is save her from being tied up in the bed, then soon he is stabbing through her arm with as a demonstration. I saw it three times and the thing that sticks out to me is the running arc of trying to convince Friedrich of the truth. I couldn’t understand what difference it made if he believed in Orlock or not. Then in the climax, how different would things have turned out if they men hadn’t wasted the whole day waiting and then searching for Friedrich? By the time they track him down in the cemetery, it is dark and Orlock has left his coffin. Would things have been different if the three believers had just gone to kill Orlock when he was sleeping? IMO, yes. The scene of the vampire slaying Thomas witnessed shows that they can be killed, and I think that the people getting wise and hunting down vampires is a huge reason why Orlock needs to leave.
I agree with everything you said. Thomas witnessing the vampire slaying would have connected well had he killed Orlok himself. But I understand Eggers wanted to do a dirrect adaptation even if it's not an ending I would have done myself
I was waiting for any of the experiences Thomas had in the countryside to come into play and it's so weird that they just, didn't. The visions, the nuns that saved him, the fact that he too was preyed on by Orlok, none of it informed his decisions when he returned. He even tried to dismiss Ellen's visions AFTER everything she warned him about came true! He did not deserve to survive this movie.
I completely agree. Like, Von Franz may have listened to Ellen, but he showed even less regard for her ultimate safety and wellbeing than the more overtly misogynistic Harding and Sievers ever did. In fact, he actually managed to horrify even them at one point or another - Harding seemed disgusted when he stabbed Ellen in the arm, (and lets be real, she may not have felt it in the moment but don't tell me she wouldn't feel it in the morning?!?) and Sievers was almost as appalled as Thomas when Von Franz and Ellen's ultimate plan was revealed. Maybe his motivation was only that he wanted to be 100% sure that Orlok would be destroyed, but on some level I wonder if he was also eager to see how it would all play out. He was so remorseless when the deception was revealed; gleeful, even. During my first viewing, on the lead up to that sequence I was screaming (only in my head, don't worry) at the men to just forget about Harding and go to the manor before sunset - Thomas I think was genuinely distracted by concern for his friend, but Von Franz? Upon my second viewing of the film I noticed that he didn't even want to look for Harding, he wanted to wait around even though it was obvious that Harding was not in a good place and had gone awol; in fact, from the moment he spoke to Ellen he did nothing but stall. It seemed to me that he didn't just want Ellen's sacrifice to be a backup plan, he actively wanted it to be the ONLY plan. Yes, he takes Ellen seriously, praises her, even, but I'd argue that by his actions he dehumanises her perhaps the most out of the men in the film. Harding and Sievers treated her like an animal or a wayward child, but Von Franz used her like a tool, a valued tool maybe, but still a tool. Maybe there is something in there about the fetishization of women with mental health problems, and the way some people will enable or even encourage self destructive behaviors in people they are supposed to care for because it suits their own purposes.... Or maybe I'm just INTENSELY salty that Ellen died.
Orlock was so offended and defensive when thomas broight up the scared villagers to him. I didnt really think about him being scared/aware he needs to move. This makes sense now
@@sr7701I agree I would have liked it to come neatly together but imo that adds to the realism. Life isn't always so cut and dry and neat. Sometimes if not most people in dire situations do not act rationally. We also have the hindsight as a more developed peoples who can instantly travel use our phones with infinite knowledge. If you think about it he also had to travel days if not weeks back home while being afflicted with sickness from orlok he literally falls off the horse upon returning home. I doubt most would be so coherent to just try killing a supernatural entity such as a vampire. Lastly we know what vampires are people in that time frame would think them as basically devils. Everyday people aren't just out here slaying devils! Also Thomas wasn't even fully sure what he witnessed was even real. We know obviously but he couldn't tell the difference from dream and reality.
“Take that sh*t to the AMC!” sums up why I pay for your content on Patreon. Passion, witty, and very informed! Love you Princess, you never disappoint! Thank you for providing so many communities with the language to examine their own media literacy, as well as normalize the QBINOC (queer black/ indigenous NERD of color) experience in these fandoms! Much love to you and your work 💕✨💅🏽
I adore Nosferatu (2024), though I definitely agree with some of your criticisms of the ending. I've heard Eggers in interviews talking about how Ellen is as much a victim of Victorian society as she is of Orlok, but I'm not sure I'm convinced that comes through thoroughly enough in the actual film. I have to say I've been hesitant to consider the ~discourse~ about the story being about (C)SA as I had my own very strong interpretation when I saw the film for the first time, which leans more into the direction of Orlok being a metaphor for mental health struggles with the sexual/erotic aspects moreso being a vassel for that theme. But you've made some really interesting points here so I'm excited to have more stuff to think about hahah! Thank you for your hard work. I'm sorry for your loss, my condolences ❤
It's interesting that "the times" affecting Ellen didn't come across as strongly to you. For me it did, specially in the way she sort of becomes trapped by her friends and tied up. The hysteria angle is also pushed which was also common for the time. I think here was a woman who clearly needs help but these people don't know what to do or how to help her and at the same time she's not being taken seriously enough, so she must be crazy.
Something stood out to me after having seen this movie. Orlok kills all four of the female characters we spend any time with. They all die. So: Count Orlok, a literal corpse from the literal Old World aristocratic ruling class of Europe, literally consumes the literal life's blood of all the women and girls, killing them all. Literally. Young Ellen reaches out psychically to someone, not realizing that the only one who would answer is a murderer. There was never anyone else on the other end of that cosmic telephone line. And because of Ellen's naivete, not only does she die, but her best friend and her best friend's children all die at the hands of the monster. None of them ever had any chance to save themselves, the zombie aristocrat was simply too powerful in every way that mattered. Meanwhile, as Ellen lays in her deathbed, her hapless husband and his male companions are haring off on a fool's errand, aided by the one man who knows that Ellen must make the sacrifice to stop Orlok. A sacrifice that won't save Ellen, Anna, Klara or Louise, but will save THEM, the men. Because in Albin's mind, that's what women do, they sacrifice themselves for the well-being of men. Interestingly, Knock is killed by Thomas, while Friedrich is killed by the plague, so Orlok is never as direct a threat to the men as he is to women, even though two of them die due to a connection to Orlok, in Knock's case, a voluntary connection. Even Thomas survives being preyed upon by Orlok, seemingly suffering no permanent harm whatsoever. Sure, he's sad, because Ellen is dead, but he has a future ahead of him. He's alive. This all says a lot about the world in my opinion, and not just the world of the 1830s.
I don't understand any of this. What does it mean? That women are expected to sacrifice their lives for men, whereas men get to be considered complete characters, not defined by their fatherhood or community? That women under a patriarchal society will eventually perish because of being exploited by those who have power thanks to the institutions and laws? That women's innocence and naivity is exploited by groomers?
@@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ all of the above, this interpretation is saying that the movie is highlighting the meatgrinder of women and girls go through for the sake of the patriarchy and the men that benefit from it. It isn’t saying thats right, that not what a gothic horror sets out to prove. It’s serving as a mirror to the real world.
30:30 - Yes yes yes! That is 100% what I've been trying to put into words! "You should be able to opt out, but it should still exist in art"! I will always believe that. That's why I love content warnings - and especially how I heard it done in IRL books - they're on the very last page, so you can flip to it if you need to, and don't HAVE to see it at the start, if you don't want to. That felt very smart to me. I also want to praise the use of "mouse click" as a censoring noise - it really hits that medium of loud enough to notice, but not TOO loud to scare. The complete silence over the word "r@pe" in previous vids has been distracting and confusing, but this is a GREAT work-around, thank you!
The section at about the 34:00 mark, about how these CNC fantasies show up reminded me of a piece of Dan Olson's breakdown of the 50 Shades book/movie, where he pointed out the logic of the wealthy man lavishing riches on the humble protagonist. It creates this space where you can indulge in the excess without having to acknowledge the want for the excess. Good, saintly Anastasia would NEVER be so materialistic as to splurge tens of thousands on some opulent vacation, but Christian just TAKING her on one (even if she protests) would still be fun. And I think that's part of it with these fantasies, too. The space to indulge in a pleasure that the woman would feel ashamed for demanding. There's so much pressure for women to be these big, moral beacons of goodness, absent these impure thoughts. And then something like Nosferatu dives further, examining how all these threads pull at each other. The nature of the people involved. Even Thomas as the well intentioned but still oppressive force in Ellen's life. He was unwilling to accept or acknowledge this part of her, and this in turn left Ellen adrift.
This is exactly what I was thinking, the women who are humble being forced to accept riches where the woman can secretly enjoy this in her mind, where nobody will know
I read Maggie Nelson's Art of Cruelty right before watching Nosferatu, and it really complicated how I felt about it. My knee-jerk reaction was that the sacrificial lamb ending didn't add anything to the story. That the death-maiden trope being the natural conclusion to accepting the effect of the abuse and rape feels like a trite or easy way out of the darkness. I felt like the modern interpretation would not sacrifice the heroine to her monster, but ask how does she live with the monstrousness within her? How does she go on living after everyone around her suffers from her choosing not to submit to her abuser? I don't know how to change that or wrestle with it. It makes me want the cruelty of the story to be centred not on 'heroic' self-sacrifice, even after her best friend died, but to highlight the cruel reality of living with monstrousness? The only thing that felt maybe kind of true to form is the cruelty of the story not being changed highlights the same way the story of rape and sexual assault hasn't changed much, even in 2025. And to further that cruelty, Orlok killed the only people who really believed Ellen-her best friend and her children
I agree with you. It was my knee-jerk response post-viewing but also it's still my opinion after a lot of deliberation. I just dislike the ending having that message.
There is this one scene in the myth of Cupid and Psyche that I absolutely like. After convinced by her jealous sisters that her mysterious unseen husband could be a giant snake monster, Psyche summons up all the courage to light a lamp and stab him in the night while he's sleeping. She expected to find a brutish, evil monster, only to find a beautiful, radiant, innocent-looking young man. But he wakes up, looks scared, and he flies away from her. I took this scene as Psyche seeing Cupid, while he lay asleep in bliss, amazed and in awe of his beauty and vulnerability, and she falls in love with him. What she thought was a hideous, carnivorous monster turned out to be a pretty but vulnerable young man. I wish we could see more of that in modern media. Because in some versions of the Beauty and Beast tale, the Beast secretly reveals his handsome human true form to the Beauty, exposing all his vulnerability, but he asks never to reveal this secret at least for a while (until the curse on him is lifted and her loyal love breaks that curse). But in these versions, the Beauty is either tricked or foolishly breaks this promise, the Beast is taken away from her, and Beauty must go on a penitent journey to rescue her beloved husband.
@EpwnaExeter Probably an East of the Sun, West of the Moon adaptation, since that the prince in that story is in the form of a polar bear. It's definitely related to the Cupid and Psyche story, but the polar bear specifics come from Norway.
East of the Sun West of the Moon is absolutely a variation on the Eros and Psyche myth. Honestly the only part of Bridgerton season 3 that wasn’t botched was the through line connecting it to the Eros/Psyche story.
I really struggled with this film and had trouble digesting it. Your essay provided alot of clarity, which they usually do. Thanks for your work, I am a big fan
Agree with your take about the ending, when I saw the movie I was like "couldn't she just have, played chess with nosferatu until the sunrise to kill him?" She could have lived
I do really like that this version takes a lot of the subtext out of Dracula and makes it outright text, as in my opinion it really adds to the vibes; this movie is mostly vibes and I was having a fantastic time. The clip that you're using at 34:33 is genuinely one of my favorite scenes in the entire movie from an acting standpoint because LRD is so genuinely unsettling, it really sells how much this is affecting Ellen and the people around her
Oh, HECK yes. A Nosferatu (2024) dissertation let's GO! I *knew* Orlok's "I am an appetite," line and the Death & the Maiden-type imagery would get people's academic brains going as soon as I witnessed them, including my own. 👏🖤
As someone who enjoys dark romance and gothic horror, this movie did touch on a lot of things I find enjoyable. However, keeping it so Ellen died in the end frustrated me. Anna died, the two little girls died, Ellen died, so literally no named women are left alive at the end of the film. That combined with Ellen's traumatic life and death just makes it draining to watch. Yeah the people of 1830s Wisburg are safe from the plague, but they still have to live in 1830s Wisburg so is that really a victory? /s While this movie makes Ellen the definitive protagonist, she doesn't get to live in the world she saved and a mistake she made as a child leads to the death of all the other women/girls she loves. This movie is almost the anti-empowering movie for me, a bit in the vein of Midsommar. Like yes, Ellen gets to be a cool psychic with genuine powers and a real backstory and arc, rather than a victim of circumstance, but she still dies in the end and only saves her husband, who would have gladly given his life to ensure her safety and freedom.
Interesting. I also really enjoy gothic stories, but this movie was not it for me and I've been wondering why. Her death and sacrifice is fine for me as a plot point. But the way we got there seemed..eh The inciting incident seemed perhaps too vague. Why did she invite him in her life. What mistake was she being punished for? No idea. I think I felt no tension, and I didn't get the allure of Nosferatu. I guess the conflicting allure is something I usually like to observe.
I went into this SO absolutely pumped because I love gothic and gothic horror movies, books, tv etc etc… I fell asleep while watching in the theater. It felt SO unnecessarily extended like a lot of time filler vs actual content in the movie. Don’t get me wrong it was a STUNNING movie but yeah I was fiiiiiiighting my eyes to stay open and finally did fall asleep about halfway through.
Finally! I've seen tons of people give this movie nothing but praise, but I genuinely find it meaner to the protagonist than Herzog's ever was. Gorgeus movie, scary and all, but it really just seems like a remake of classic Dracula and doesn't have the little ideosyncracies that made Orlok stand out. 😊
For me, Gothic literature has been a place where ignorant young women experience the dangers of the world, especially the dangers specifically directed at them. They go on a version of “the hero’s journey” and emerge sadder, wiser, and better prepared. I’m therefore disappointed that Ellen dies. Not because heros should never die, but because goddamn it, she should be allowed to change her mind. Shackling Ellen to the consequences of her wish is just another way of saying, “This is what you asked for so you don’t get to complain,” and I hate that.
for a dark gothic vampire movie, the ending was necessary. the whole point is to be tragic and show the unfair consequences of someone's actions will still occur no matter how much they may regret them
Speaking of Gothic, I'm still not over what *might* have been a nod to Cocteau's La Belle et La Bete (1946) with that one mantlepiece statue that turns its head and looks at Thomas during the dinner scene at Orlok's castle. Eggers, you madman. 😉 Not to mention my learning I wasn't the only one to get some POTO vibes out of this film... 🥰
This is the line that stood out most to me in this movie. I took it to mean he represented her appetite for sex or connnection and all the baggage that came with it. Excited for this take on it.
After finally getting to watch Nosferatu, (very small point im making) It was so interesting to see the difference between the Bram Stokers Dracula movie that I adored and it was so colorful and you could easily call it (and Dracula) comforting, Nosferatu however felt dead in every part, its not like its filmed in black and white but more like the color was just completely drained out of everything, also how nosferatu does not look ANY better the more he feeds. He stays desicated the entire time even though he's eaten at least 30 people before he even makes it to the city Ellen is in. He is the evil inside and out
I'm so sorry about your loss, I commented before I finished the video. I hope your heart heals, take as long as you need to grief doesnt have a time limit, please reach out to your loved ones in this time.
I appreciate you making this video and finding the strength to create it despite the passing of your friend. My condolences. May they be at peace. As a now 31 year old man who is of color, relatively tall, who enjoys fitness, getting further into manhood/adulthood I notice that imposing fear that comes with being a man. It saddens me sometimes as iwant to be warm but there are times where I feel by default intimidating when that isnt my choice to be. A line in the video that striked me was when she said that women are forever haunted by men whether it be husband, father, brother, etc. I have a sister as a sibling who has had two daughters. It pains me that even subconsciously they may fear me despite the fact I am warm and caring towards them all. I want to be a great uncle and brother who protects them and guides them. Idunno just interesting to hear from a womans perspective how scary it must be to be in this world filled with men that essentially could be "orloks". It makes sense why women are so defensive but damn does it hurt as a man sometimes to be looked at as a "scary creature".
It's interesting that Eggers sees the ending as a triumph--I don't think it's played that way. Ellen's death is slow and sad and doesn't feel heroic at all. I don't mind that she dies, but it's not empowerment. Now, the ending of The Witch was empowerment.
I don't see either as empowerment really. But Ellen was a hero in a way, even if she was doomed. The end of the Witch reminds me of the end of Midsommar. Both protagonists were vulnerable and manipulated by evil. They might feel empowered in the moment but they're actually f*cked
@@Δ-Δ-Δ-ΔThe film doesn't metaphorically "bash you with a hammer" but instead is subtle with many layers that we have to unpack and dissect to fully understand.
@@WheatDos I was watching it right now. To me, it looks like what Western Europeans see Eastern Europeans as. Maybe. Orlok. Dirty, superstitious, blood-sucking. Ellen and her higher knowledge is ignored. She's treated like a child. Hutter sells it all in order to advance and provide like a man.
I'm so so sorry about your loss of your friend. I hope that you can find a way to manage in time and you and your friends other loved ones find some comfort in company. Grieve in your own time. I know life struggles happen, but genuinely sending you all the well wishes. Grief takes a lot from us. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Omg u just inspired me. I’m new to video essays and I was having a hard time conceptualizing what I wanted to say about Nosferatu. I was ready to give up but you posting has inspired me to continue.
Imo it’s not that ATJ is any more “distractingly striking” than LRD, it’s that ATJ has NEVER shot for the moon in a performance the way LRD did in this one. Not that she can’t, I’ve just never seen her go above a 7 on the intensity of her performances. She gives very subtle expressions and conveys alot with very little, but this role needed her to convey a lot with a LOT and LRD brought it
my heart goes out to you and your family/friends at this time ❤ this was fantastic work as always! I feel like I engage with of 19th century Romantic & Gothic literature a lot and you always manage bring something new and interesting to mind that makes me think and I really appreciate that! 10/10 😘
I can’t tell you how much I relate to your perspective on this issue of consent in art as it relates to its validity. The grayness of life is a common thread throughout works of literature going back as far as I’ve reached (Anglo-Saxon to be exact). I believe it makes a work more compelling, and this moral vagueness opens a space for conversation to happen. Just because an individual (for valid reasons) doesn’t like a work based on “dubious consent” as you’ve stated, doesn’t mean that it is unworthy wholeslale. Bravo, Princess.
This was such a gift. It's always a joy to see you do what you do so well. Thank you. 🧡 Condolences for your friend, wishing you time to connect and heal.
Honestly I don't find the sacrifice empowering or vengeful or a sacrificing act, it's more as though the society failed to save her and the women and a result of living in a patriarchy.
I am so sorry for your loss Princess. Myself and this community here will be with you all the way. Thank you for bringing us along! It is a privilege to hear your insights and thoughts, we are lucky to have you😊
Just wanted to say that you're probably my favourite creator right now. Your videos are always so interesting and well-researched, I could watch 10-hour versions of every single one. Thank you for sharing them with us 💖
I never comment ever but you inspired me to write my first ever fanfiction and it has helped me become a better writer. I'm sorry for your loss and hope you get through this.
THANK YOUUUUU for mentioning death and the maiden omg it’s one of my favorite motifs in art and music and to see it so heavily baked into a mainstream film like this was *chefs kiss*
I wait (im)patiently for new videos from you, but it is especially meaningful that you've made this one as you go through a dark time. You are a delightful corner of the internet, Princess. Take care of yourself. Remember, living well is the best revenge 😉
Omg, you've put into words what I was having so much trouble saying. The end just didn't sit right with me and what you said is so right. How Dafou's character seemed to see Ellen for who she was, discarding the era's biases, but then was so quick to incentivise her sacrifice and even revel in it at the end. Seeing her as a means to an end and so quick to use her instead of trying to save a person he seemed to have such respect for.
Great video. Something about what you were discussing with audiences takeaways or the discourse about the movie, kind of made me think about “pleasure activism” and the issues with it. Sending you love through the grieving process 💜
Thank you for this video! I was hesitant to watch because the discourse around this movie has been awful…and that’s coming from a girl who’s on Interview with the Vampire twitter. I genuinely feel like you addressed everything that’s been bothering me about the movie and discussions surrounding it. I was raised in a repressed, oppressive religious environment and experienced sexual assault at a young age, so of course I connected a lot to Ellen as a protagonist, so even though I could see the end coming, it was devastating to watch. I left the theater feeling nauseous, but it was the puriteens vs monsterfucker media literacy wars that actually had me triggered. My own perspective on the movie is so informed by my experiences and trauma that I genuinely can’t imagine seeing anything redemptive or romantic in Ellen’s relationship with Orlock, but I’m also able to recognize why that is, and not expect other people to feel the same way I do.
So sorry to hear about your friend. That is tough to handle. I hope you will keep posting videos because your essays mean so much to me. I am always so excited when I see an update from you. My Holy Trinity is Princess, BKR and Kaz - and it gives me so much joy to see a topic that so clearly connects all three of you, and your areas of expertise.
Condolences for your loss... Once again I'm so glad I found your channel. Former Austin/San Antonio person with many fond memories of the Alamo Drafthouse. I always learn so much watching.
this is the best discussion i’ve seen about this movie so far. i’ve gotten so frustrated with the discourse on this movie because i also felt, as someone who sees myself in ellen in so many different ways, that nosferatu could be considered both a manifestation of ellen’s sexual desires AND a sexual predator. everyone will interpret the film as they will depending on their own experiences and perspectives. but why argue whether or not it’s about r@pe or a woman’s sexual desire in a world where sexual desire is feared and repressed when it can be both? i started experiencing sexual desire at a young age, which i was ashamed of and learned to repress. i experienced men using that as an excuse to assault me - because i’ve wanted it so many times before so i must always want it and im not virginal enough to deserve a choice. my experiences with assault have lead to hypersexuality for me. but that doesn’t mean i don’t deserve gentleness and sensitivity and consideration of my feelings throughout the process of intimacy. and i know that many other people feel similarly to me too. so yeah sorry for getting too personal in the comments lmao. i’m not seeking sympathy or anything i’m only sharing this because i had very complicated feelings about the film and i appreciate you diving deep into it and acknowledging the validity of the many different and complicated interpretations of it
YESS !! As always thank you for the breakdown of the "dracula" of it all!! I feel like you're one of the rare creators that focus on that element and HOW different movies change it the book.... also I agree on the Clint /Natasha bit lol
Oh, sorry to hear that you lost someone this year, I also lost someone around the same time and it's so weird to have to juggle financial/travel arrangements along with grief. :(
I've been waiting for a video by you on Nosferatu as soon as I left the theatre with conflicting feelings on to movie and feeling torn between appreciating the artistry and vibes of it but also feeling kinda ehh about the ending of it. I loved seeing your thought process and how you reached your conclusions and opinions and how much it resembles the thoughts I also had while thinking about the movie for weeks after the initial watch. Thank you SO much for such a well made video. I enjoyed a lot that you touched on to the hypersexuality a victim might feel in regards to Ellen's displays of desire not canceling out necessarily the fact that what she went through while calling upon a companion wasn't fully consensual as I haven't seen that touched upon much (as in what I've seen on the movie so far on both youtube and tumblr). Looking forward to being able to watch the movie again once it comes to video-on-demand or streaming because I would enjoy watching it with the ability to take some breaks and take some notes too. Once again, great video!
I tripped HARD at about 15:30 when Princess seemed to call death itself "The Ultimate Patriarchal Force." I need elaboration because I'm pretty sure in all possible power structures, patriarchal or not, we gonna have a bit of death
Im gonna have to watch it again to digest all the literary analysis of the Gothic genre. And take notes. I love your work. Your latest twilight video was really helpful in helping me get over a really bad breakup. Im really sorry for your loss. Hope you feel better.
I never understood the “either or” discussions. Like you can be raped by people you’re attracted to? Eggers could have wrote it more like Coppola’s Dracula if he wanted it to be only interpreted as a dark Romance. He also could have written her as having no pull towards the darkness if he wanted. It’s clearly supposed to have elements of both.
As always, you made a really great video with very interesting points and insights into gothic stories and how they relate culturally and historically.
Love this video! A deep conversation about this movie from a literary perspective is what I wanted so bad! If you’re interested in more of the folklore/historical context for the concept of “spirit marriage” “The Frightful Howls You May Hear” is another one of the best discussions of this movie
great video! i really hope the return of eroticism in movies is a sign that we're starting to move past the puritan nightmare culture we've been stuck in. shoutout to babygirl!
So sorry for your loss, Princess. Do whatever you need to cope and take care of yourself ❤ Thank you for this video. I saw this with my boyfriend to show that I could get outside my comfort zone. But I felt so uncomfortable by the ending that I felt something was wrong with me or that I didn’t understand it. And my boyfriend told me that if I try to do that again, I’m allowed to just walk out for my own sake.
I’m currently reading Carmilla and it occurred to me that Ellen is not only a combination of Mina/Lucy from Dracula, but also has a bit of Laura thrown in. The yearning and desperation for companionship leading her to welcome a vampire into her life is very reminiscent of Laura. Also, your audio cuts out at 43:01 and the video continues silently through the end credits. Just thought you should know.
34:00 exactly! Girls can be hypersexual without being abused. Sometimes the shame just comes from seeing society around you paint your inner thoughts as dirty and shameful. It's a recipe for disaster. Ellen was lonely and sensual and reached out but was heard by the WRONG ONE. My initial interpretation was that "you never forget your first, even if you hated it". Orlock gave her the first taste and even though she doesn't want him and she tried to move on, the shame stuck with her. She's newly married and loves her husband but still can't shake that shame. She even tells Thomas that he was the one to bring her out of that despair for the first time!
Essalam to your loved one Princess, I feel you and I'm so grateful as a supporter and viewer that you share your process. Together we are, peace and comfort to and through you. I did love the pivot this take took. I was shaken at the notion of the director's insistence that her final act was "Kill Bill" moment, but I resonated more with the interviewer's perspective. Hearing your analysis, I think I better understand "Why the Monster?" Though being disappointed by the monster winning, I can better see the escape fantasy potential. May be why the horror genre is "dark fantasy," add subtle to fantastical language to the unspeakable in life... thank you for doing this again, stay up and awesome as you are. Know you have our love, support, and dearest condolences. 🤲🏾🤲🏾
I’m a very simple woman. I see Nosferatu (2024) and IMMEDIATELY click
You and me, both 😂
Same, but for Princess Weekes
@@RashidMBeyPrincess weeks + gothic I think I double clicked
Geez...
You're f-cking exhausting.
All you ever seem to do is attempt to drain ALL the joy, fun and excitement out of mainstream movies & entertainment in general.
Sadly, this is why I can't subscribe to your channel...
How edgy from you....🤡
What I love about gothic horror and gothic romance is that it allows me as a reader/viewer to sit with dark and thrilling feelings without immediately trying to rationalize them. It just says: this is what can happen, this is what it can do to us.
YES exactly, gothic is all about the irrational, and sitting in that fascination and revulsion of confronting the unknowable. And also being campy and unhinged. God I love gothic shit 😅
Exactly! Thank you for that.
Fantastically stated. Just absorb the gothic I say ❤❤❤
Gothic horror is feeling not thinking. Heady people won't enjoy it as much
We thirst for a great version of Carmilla!
We do!
We certainly do
Basically impossible to please more than a fifth of the audience at once with that one.
Oh my god yes pls.
I recently read Carmilla and honestly she is far more of a predator than Eggers’ Orlok is. Orlok only awakens because Ellen summons him, he was dead in his grave until he hears her call. While she loves Thomas there is a vein (no pun intended) of desire coming out of her for Orlok, she craves him the way he craves her. In Carmilla, the vampire is a TRUE predator. She isn’t summoned, she manipulates her victims into welcoming her into their homes, she doesn’t pick one victim but instead has a “type” that she consistently goes after (beautiful teenaged girls, especially those related to her from when she was human). Orlok wants one person and his atrocities are done to get her back, while Carmilla is just a creep. I wanted it to be sexy and romantic like the Carmilla webseries was, but the vampire in the novella just gives off asshole predatory fuckboy vibes.
I’ve seen several Twilight fans in groups I’m in trying to dismiss the film as a whole because it’s “romanticizing abuse” and I still can’t really wrap my head around it. I did not see the relationship between Ellen and Orlok as something to idolize, I saw it as an unhealthy, supernatural connection that posed a threat to the lives of Ellen and those around her and that seems to be the consensus with most people. I get it if the movie isn’t their thing, but it struck me as odd when there’s a fair many arguments to make about how unhealthy and actually romanticized the relationships in Twilight are. I have fun in Twilight spaces because the memes are great and the discussions are actually quite nuanced, so seeing people just writing Nosferatu off as “it’s unhealthy so it’s garbage” was surprising.
"Romanticizing abuse" has to be one of the most well, abused terms in the English language, currently. I think a lot of it is mostly from the terminally on line parts of Gen Z and younger. Hopefully as their brains develop and learn more nuance it will alleviate.
Plus I don't know maybe the harsh economic times we live in and awareness of abuse and "power imbalance" has made the younger generation much more wary of romantic and sexual relationships. Young women in a good chunk of the country have to be very careful now of getting pregnant as abortion is a crime in some states now or virtually inaccessible. I could see why romance is much scarier to the younger generation. I'm not even sure the stereotype of the young girl dreaming of having a boyfriend and looking forward to romance exists much anymore.
Yeah. The movie gets that Orlok is very bad news & her attraction to him is part of a self-destructive streak. Thematically, very similar for Babygirl, which got wide release on the same day.
many are also viewing their relationship as purely romantic and romanticizing their rs as well. many different people are analyzing this movie in very directly opposing ways.
I mean the literal grooming depicted and glorified in twilight between the renesme and jacob is probably more irridemable than anything in this movie. I think they don't like it because its not a "cute and wholesome" romance I feel "wholesome" shippers are very hypocritical about how toxic there own ships are while attacking others at least toxic shippers are like I know its fucked up but I like it anyway.
I once thought like that too about Twilight. And I still do, a little.
But what I truly hate about Twilight is that all the characters are awful, and novels are riddled with massive unfortunate implications (racial, sexual, gender wise), no doubt reflecting Meyers' bias, narrow worldview, and lack of proper research.
The Twilight universe is an awful, cold, shallow and weirdly conservative place. With Bella treated like the most beloved heroine when there are times when she isn't. Bella's character is an unhealthy blend of selfishness, main character syndrome, blandness, not-like-other-girls syndrome, and possibly Hybristophilia.
Meyers wrote Bella as unintentionally bad, and Edward just as bad if not more so. But that is just my opinion.
For me, Ellen’s sacrifice in the film reminded me a lot of Dani’s sacrifice in ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’. Both of them were basically doomed to have a tragic end and were forced to choose between giving themselves up or being forced to and also losing their loved ones in the process. At the end of their stories, they chose to sacrifice themselves on their own terms and made sure that their antagonist/villain was never able to hurt or kill anyone ever again. They both basically broke the cycle of pain/suffering and that in a sense is quite beautiful.
This part…
Yes, she had suffered so much and still had the strength to say enough and save the whole town.
Omg yes!! I love this connection, the ending of bly manor always makes me sob. It’s so sad and tragic but it’s also beautiful.
Also reminiscent of another Flanagan Project. In "Midnight Mass" Erin "tricks" the "angel" into feeding from her, when it tries to break away to flee the sunlight, she forces its head down into biting her again, and cuts holes in its wings to prevent its escape, ultimately killing it.
@@erzsebetbathory7639I thought of that scene too! Midnight Mass and the Haunting of Bly Manor are incredible!
32:50 changed my brain chemistry. "You can consent to inviting them into your home and that doesn't mean you consent to being harmed after. You can rescind consent at any time - except to a monster"
Me too, but (maybe) obviously not for the same reasons, exactly.
Nosferatu has actually been a great entry point into talking about nuance and ambivalence with some of my friends and family. Also the carriage scene with Thomas? I’ve never been so tense over an inanimate object
That scene was executed SO well.
That was one of my favorite scenes of the movie, the vibe was horrifyingly beautiful
I can't wait til we get hi-def screenshots so I can print and frame that scene
Ohhh yesss! I found my people in these comments! I think about that scene at least once a week🥹
The lead-up to the carriage scene with Thomas walking up to the crossroads is such a perfectly framed and shot image that I can't even handle it. Even after Thomas arrives at the castle, the framing of him walking through the door with all of the various shaped archways ......*chef's kiss* I love Eggers and his cinematographer, Jaron Blaschke, so so much. I hope they make a hundred more movies together.
Bill Skarsgard served Gothic majesty with his mustache alone.
Did he also play Pennywise?
@@JessP-ut9glAnd the throw up guy in Deadpool 2.
@ cool good to know
We can forgive him for The Crow because of that stache
I so deeply feel this. I got to a point the other year with all this moral discourse where I just threw my hands up and said, "I'm tired of pretending I don't understand nuance and the human condition" because sometimes this hyperfixation on moral perfection feels like a willful denial of intelligence.
Eggers is about to do a Labyrinth sequel. When you think about it, that has a fairly similar plot with a young woman calling out for help escaping her mundane life. It's answered by a man who understands her deepest desires, but probably just plans to murder her.
Really!! That will be so interesting!!
I loved Girl on Film’s video about Labyrinth - she talks about those themes!
Yeah, I'd probably trust him with it. The costumes alone would be neat. Frankly the only reasons I'm not super jazzed about it are that the music probably won't be as good since Bowie's unavailable due to death, and that I generally don't think the movie needs a sequel.
Unfortunately, I've heard that the reports of this are not reliable.
@OspreySoul This isn't Facebook rumors or stories about a project being considered. Deadline & Variety are reporting that he signed.
Using the topic of incest, and its implication about the decay of a family unit was a compelling was to compare the 'sexiness' some viewers' struggle to experience between Ellen and Orlock, in spite it obviously not seeming okay.
I think some people may have forgotten this was an R rated Gothic Horror, more akin to Midnight Mass, than Twilight.
Ah, Midnight Mass reference; it's do damn good.
I’m glad to see the reference to Midnight Mass. I think Midnight Mass and Nosferatu have a lot in common, but I would have to do a lot more thinking about it.
I thought of Midnight Mass in the scene that Nosferatu feeds on Ellen.
I cannot begin to explain the excitement I felt when I saw the words “Princess Weekes” and “Nosferatu” together. Thank you as always for another banger video, and for bringing me some joy by rambling about vampires and gothic horror/romance when I’ve felt like it was hard to breathe this past week. I’m so sorry for your loss, you never need to apologize for being human & getting dragged through the experience of being human. Take care of yourself, we’re gonna get through this as a team 💕
I am so sorry for your loss. I really apreciate your work on these media interpretations, and thank you for making them.
"At least a vampire is honest about what he wants." 41:33 excuse me while I try to track down my soul because it has fully left the building.
In the Final Thoughts section - oh lord, I didn't know that... That's absolutely a huge amount of emotional work you suddenly have to do. Heck, we the audience benefit from your choosing to make content to work thru it, but the important part is if it's good for YOU! You said earlier in the video - just because you have a desire to do something, doesn't mean it's healthy for you!
May you have supportive people around you and meet gentle strangers in 2025.
I’m so glad you talked about even the men who listen to her still being willing to use her as a sacrifice. I keep thinking about how the first thing the professor does is save her from being tied up in the bed, then soon he is stabbing through her arm with as a demonstration. I saw it three times and the thing that sticks out to me is the running arc of trying to convince Friedrich of the truth. I couldn’t understand what difference it made if he believed in Orlock or not. Then in the climax, how different would things have turned out if they men hadn’t wasted the whole day waiting and then searching for Friedrich? By the time they track him down in the cemetery, it is dark and Orlock has left his coffin. Would things have been different if the three believers had just gone to kill Orlock when he was sleeping? IMO, yes. The scene of the vampire slaying Thomas witnessed shows that they can be killed, and I think that the people getting wise and hunting down vampires is a huge reason why Orlock needs to leave.
I agree with everything you said. Thomas witnessing the vampire slaying would have connected well had he killed Orlok himself. But I understand Eggers wanted to do a dirrect adaptation even if it's not an ending I would have done myself
I was waiting for any of the experiences Thomas had in the countryside to come into play and it's so weird that they just, didn't. The visions, the nuns that saved him, the fact that he too was preyed on by Orlok, none of it informed his decisions when he returned. He even tried to dismiss Ellen's visions AFTER everything she warned him about came true! He did not deserve to survive this movie.
I completely agree. Like, Von Franz may have listened to Ellen, but he showed even less regard for her ultimate safety and wellbeing than the more overtly misogynistic Harding and Sievers ever did. In fact, he actually managed to horrify even them at one point or another - Harding seemed disgusted when he stabbed Ellen in the arm, (and lets be real, she may not have felt it in the moment but don't tell me she wouldn't feel it in the morning?!?) and Sievers was almost as appalled as Thomas when Von Franz and Ellen's ultimate plan was revealed. Maybe his motivation was only that he wanted to be 100% sure that Orlok would be destroyed, but on some level I wonder if he was also eager to see how it would all play out. He was so remorseless when the deception was revealed; gleeful, even. During my first viewing, on the lead up to that sequence I was screaming (only in my head, don't worry) at the men to just forget about Harding and go to the manor before sunset - Thomas I think was genuinely distracted by concern for his friend, but Von Franz? Upon my second viewing of the film I noticed that he didn't even want to look for Harding, he wanted to wait around even though it was obvious that Harding was not in a good place and had gone awol; in fact, from the moment he spoke to Ellen he did nothing but stall. It seemed to me that he didn't just want Ellen's sacrifice to be a backup plan, he actively wanted it to be the ONLY plan. Yes, he takes Ellen seriously, praises her, even, but I'd argue that by his actions he dehumanises her perhaps the most out of the men in the film. Harding and Sievers treated her like an animal or a wayward child, but Von Franz used her like a tool, a valued tool maybe, but still a tool. Maybe there is something in there about the fetishization of women with mental health problems, and the way some people will enable or even encourage self destructive behaviors in people they are supposed to care for because it suits their own purposes.... Or maybe I'm just INTENSELY salty that Ellen died.
Orlock was so offended and defensive when thomas broight up the scared villagers to him. I didnt really think about him being scared/aware he needs to move. This makes sense now
@@sr7701I agree I would have liked it to come neatly together but imo that adds to the realism. Life isn't always so cut and dry and neat. Sometimes if not most people in dire situations do not act rationally. We also have the hindsight as a more developed peoples who can instantly travel use our phones with infinite knowledge. If you think about it he also had to travel days if not weeks back home while being afflicted with sickness from orlok he literally falls off the horse upon returning home. I doubt most would be so coherent to just try killing a supernatural entity such as a vampire.
Lastly we know what vampires are people in that time frame would think them as basically devils. Everyday people aren't just out here slaying devils! Also Thomas wasn't even fully sure what he witnessed was even real. We know obviously but he couldn't tell the difference from dream and reality.
“Take that sh*t to the AMC!” sums up why I pay for your content on Patreon. Passion, witty, and very informed! Love you Princess, you never disappoint! Thank you for providing so many communities with the language to examine their own media literacy, as well as normalize the QBINOC (queer black/ indigenous NERD of color) experience in these fandoms! Much love to you and your work 💕✨💅🏽
I adore Nosferatu (2024), though I definitely agree with some of your criticisms of the ending. I've heard Eggers in interviews talking about how Ellen is as much a victim of Victorian society as she is of Orlok, but I'm not sure I'm convinced that comes through thoroughly enough in the actual film. I have to say I've been hesitant to consider the ~discourse~ about the story being about (C)SA as I had my own very strong interpretation when I saw the film for the first time, which leans more into the direction of Orlok being a metaphor for mental health struggles with the sexual/erotic aspects moreso being a vassel for that theme. But you've made some really interesting points here so I'm excited to have more stuff to think about hahah!
Thank you for your hard work. I'm sorry for your loss, my condolences ❤
It's interesting that "the times" affecting Ellen didn't come across as strongly to you. For me it did, specially in the way she sort of becomes trapped by her friends and tied up. The hysteria angle is also pushed which was also common for the time. I think here was a woman who clearly needs help but these people don't know what to do or how to help her and at the same time she's not being taken seriously enough, so she must be crazy.
Something stood out to me after having seen this movie. Orlok kills all four of the female characters we spend any time with. They all die. So:
Count Orlok, a literal corpse from the literal Old World aristocratic ruling class of Europe, literally consumes the literal life's blood of all the women and girls, killing them all. Literally.
Young Ellen reaches out psychically to someone, not realizing that the only one who would answer is a murderer. There was never anyone else on the other end of that cosmic telephone line. And because of Ellen's naivete, not only does she die, but her best friend and her best friend's children all die at the hands of the monster. None of them ever had any chance to save themselves, the zombie aristocrat was simply too powerful in every way that mattered.
Meanwhile, as Ellen lays in her deathbed, her hapless husband and his male companions are haring off on a fool's errand, aided by the one man who knows that Ellen must make the sacrifice to stop Orlok. A sacrifice that won't save Ellen, Anna, Klara or Louise, but will save THEM, the men. Because in Albin's mind, that's what women do, they sacrifice themselves for the well-being of men.
Interestingly, Knock is killed by Thomas, while Friedrich is killed by the plague, so Orlok is never as direct a threat to the men as he is to women, even though two of them die due to a connection to Orlok, in Knock's case, a voluntary connection. Even Thomas survives being preyed upon by Orlok, seemingly suffering no permanent harm whatsoever. Sure, he's sad, because Ellen is dead, but he has a future ahead of him. He's alive. This all says a lot about the world in my opinion, and not just the world of the 1830s.
I don't understand any of this.
What does it mean? That women are expected to sacrifice their lives for men, whereas men get to be considered complete characters, not defined by their fatherhood or community?
That women under a patriarchal society will eventually perish because of being exploited by those who have power thanks to the institutions and laws?
That women's innocence and naivity is exploited by groomers?
YES! Holy shit you expressed my thoughts so perfectly!!!
Mine as well- horror is a great lens to explore the darker elements of both the psyche and society writ large- especially women’s role.
Interesting!!
@@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ all of the above, this interpretation is saying that the movie is highlighting the meatgrinder of women and girls go through for the sake of the patriarchy and the men that benefit from it. It isn’t saying thats right, that not what a gothic horror sets out to prove. It’s serving as a mirror to the real world.
30:30 - Yes yes yes! That is 100% what I've been trying to put into words! "You should be able to opt out, but it should still exist in art"! I will always believe that. That's why I love content warnings - and especially how I heard it done in IRL books - they're on the very last page, so you can flip to it if you need to, and don't HAVE to see it at the start, if you don't want to. That felt very smart to me.
I also want to praise the use of "mouse click" as a censoring noise - it really hits that medium of loud enough to notice, but not TOO loud to scare. The complete silence over the word "r@pe" in previous vids has been distracting and confusing, but this is a GREAT work-around, thank you!
“Take that shit to the AMC!” took me out
Sorry for your loss, Princess! Thanks for making another amazing video during this trying time!
The section at about the 34:00 mark, about how these CNC fantasies show up reminded me of a piece of Dan Olson's breakdown of the 50 Shades book/movie, where he pointed out the logic of the wealthy man lavishing riches on the humble protagonist. It creates this space where you can indulge in the excess without having to acknowledge the want for the excess. Good, saintly Anastasia would NEVER be so materialistic as to splurge tens of thousands on some opulent vacation, but Christian just TAKING her on one (even if she protests) would still be fun.
And I think that's part of it with these fantasies, too. The space to indulge in a pleasure that the woman would feel ashamed for demanding. There's so much pressure for women to be these big, moral beacons of goodness, absent these impure thoughts.
And then something like Nosferatu dives further, examining how all these threads pull at each other. The nature of the people involved. Even Thomas as the well intentioned but still oppressive force in Ellen's life. He was unwilling to accept or acknowledge this part of her, and this in turn left Ellen adrift.
This is exactly what I was thinking, the women who are humble being forced to accept riches where the woman can secretly enjoy this in her mind, where nobody will know
I read Maggie Nelson's Art of Cruelty right before watching Nosferatu, and it really complicated how I felt about it. My knee-jerk reaction was that the sacrificial lamb ending didn't add anything to the story. That the death-maiden trope being the natural conclusion to accepting the effect of the abuse and rape feels like a trite or easy way out of the darkness. I felt like the modern interpretation would not sacrifice the heroine to her monster, but ask how does she live with the monstrousness within her? How does she go on living after everyone around her suffers from her choosing not to submit to her abuser? I don't know how to change that or wrestle with it. It makes me want the cruelty of the story to be centred not on 'heroic' self-sacrifice, even after her best friend died, but to highlight the cruel reality of living with monstrousness? The only thing that felt maybe kind of true to form is the cruelty of the story not being changed highlights the same way the story of rape and sexual assault hasn't changed much, even in 2025. And to further that cruelty, Orlok killed the only people who really believed Ellen-her best friend and her children
I agree with you. It was my knee-jerk response post-viewing but also it's still my opinion after a lot of deliberation. I just dislike the ending having that message.
There is this one scene in the myth of Cupid and Psyche that I absolutely like.
After convinced by her jealous sisters that her mysterious unseen husband could be a giant snake monster, Psyche summons up all the courage to light a lamp and stab him in the night while he's sleeping. She expected to find a brutish, evil monster, only to find a beautiful, radiant, innocent-looking young man. But he wakes up, looks scared, and he flies away from her.
I took this scene as Psyche seeing Cupid, while he lay asleep in bliss, amazed and in awe of his beauty and vulnerability, and she falls in love with him. What she thought was a hideous, carnivorous monster turned out to be a pretty but vulnerable young man.
I wish we could see more of that in modern media. Because in some versions of the Beauty and Beast tale, the Beast secretly reveals his handsome human true form to the Beauty, exposing all his vulnerability, but he asks never to reveal this secret at least for a while (until the curse on him is lifted and her loyal love breaks that curse). But in these versions, the Beauty is either tricked or foolishly breaks this promise, the Beast is taken away from her, and Beauty must go on a penitent journey to rescue her beloved husband.
And in East of the Sun, West of the Moon, she has to rescue him. He's the one in danger, and she must find him and scheme to procure his freedom
That sounds similar to a plot point in the movie "The Polar Bear King" 1991, I wonder if the Psyche and Cupid story was an inspiration!
@EpwnaExeter Probably an East of the Sun, West of the Moon adaptation, since that the prince in that story is in the form of a polar bear. It's definitely related to the Cupid and Psyche story, but the polar bear specifics come from Norway.
East of the Sun West of the Moon is absolutely a variation on the Eros and Psyche myth.
Honestly the only part of Bridgerton season 3 that wasn’t botched was the through line connecting it to the Eros/Psyche story.
I really struggled with this film and had trouble digesting it. Your essay provided alot of clarity, which they usually do. Thanks for your work, I am a big fan
Agree with your take about the ending, when I saw the movie I was like "couldn't she just have, played chess with nosferatu until the sunrise to kill him?" She could have lived
Chess alone wouldn't have Kept him until sunrise.
I do really like that this version takes a lot of the subtext out of Dracula and makes it outright text, as in my opinion it really adds to the vibes; this movie is mostly vibes and I was having a fantastic time. The clip that you're using at 34:33 is genuinely one of my favorite scenes in the entire movie from an acting standpoint because LRD is so genuinely unsettling, it really sells how much this is affecting Ellen and the people around her
Oh, HECK yes. A Nosferatu (2024) dissertation let's GO! I *knew* Orlok's "I am an appetite," line and the Death & the Maiden-type imagery would get people's academic brains going as soon as I witnessed them, including my own. 👏🖤
As someone who enjoys dark romance and gothic horror, this movie did touch on a lot of things I find enjoyable.
However, keeping it so Ellen died in the end frustrated me. Anna died, the two little girls died, Ellen died, so literally no named women are left alive at the end of the film. That combined with Ellen's traumatic life and death just makes it draining to watch.
Yeah the people of 1830s Wisburg are safe from the plague, but they still have to live in 1830s Wisburg so is that really a victory? /s
While this movie makes Ellen the definitive protagonist, she doesn't get to live in the world she saved and a mistake she made as a child leads to the death of all the other women/girls she loves. This movie is almost the anti-empowering movie for me, a bit in the vein of Midsommar. Like yes, Ellen gets to be a cool psychic with genuine powers and a real backstory and arc, rather than a victim of circumstance, but she still dies in the end and only saves her husband, who would have gladly given his life to ensure her safety and freedom.
Interesting. I also really enjoy gothic stories, but this movie was not it for me and I've been wondering why. Her death and sacrifice is fine for me as a plot point. But the way we got there seemed..eh
The inciting incident seemed perhaps too vague. Why did she invite him in her life. What mistake was she being punished for? No idea.
I think I felt no tension, and I didn't get the allure of Nosferatu. I guess the conflicting allure is something I usually like to observe.
I went into this SO absolutely pumped because I love gothic and gothic horror movies, books, tv etc etc…
I fell asleep while watching in the theater. It felt SO unnecessarily extended like a lot of time filler vs actual content in the movie.
Don’t get me wrong it was a STUNNING movie but yeah I was fiiiiiiighting my eyes to stay open and finally did fall asleep about halfway through.
Finally! I've seen tons of people give this movie nothing but praise, but I genuinely find it meaner to the protagonist than Herzog's ever was. Gorgeus movie, scary and all, but it really just seems like a remake of classic Dracula and doesn't have the little ideosyncracies that made Orlok stand out. 😊
For me, Gothic literature has been a place where ignorant young women experience the dangers of the world, especially the dangers specifically directed at them. They go on a version of “the hero’s journey” and emerge sadder, wiser, and better prepared. I’m therefore disappointed that Ellen dies. Not because heros should never die, but because goddamn it, she should be allowed to change her mind. Shackling Ellen to the consequences of her wish is just another way of saying, “This is what you asked for so you don’t get to complain,” and I hate that.
for a dark gothic vampire movie, the ending was necessary. the whole point is to be tragic and show the unfair consequences of someone's actions will still occur no matter how much they may regret them
@ I feel that “you can’t escape the consequences of your choices” is not a message women needed to hear again, but our opinions obviously differ.
Speaking of Gothic, I'm still not over what *might* have been a nod to Cocteau's La Belle et La Bete (1946) with that one mantlepiece statue that turns its head and looks at Thomas during the dinner scene at Orlok's castle. Eggers, you madman. 😉
Not to mention my learning I wasn't the only one to get some POTO vibes out of this film... 🥰
“Eggers, you madman” perfectly encapsulates my love for him and many of my other favorite directors 😅
the scene he walks on the castle and the statue moving was so Cocteau !!
I am so sorry for your loss. 💜 Echoing the Alamo Drafthouse sentiment.
This is the line that stood out most to me in this movie. I took it to mean he represented her appetite for sex or connnection and all the baggage that came with it. Excited for this take on it.
After finally getting to watch Nosferatu, (very small point im making) It was so interesting to see the difference between the Bram Stokers Dracula movie that I adored and it was so colorful and you could easily call it (and Dracula) comforting, Nosferatu however felt dead in every part, its not like its filmed in black and white but more like the color was just completely drained out of everything, also how nosferatu does not look ANY better the more he feeds. He stays desicated the entire time even though he's eaten at least 30 people before he even makes it to the city Ellen is in. He is the evil inside and out
I'm so sorry about your loss, I commented before I finished the video. I hope your heart heals, take as long as you need to grief doesnt have a time limit, please reach out to your loved ones in this time.
I appreciate you making this video and finding the strength to create it despite the passing of your friend. My condolences. May they be at peace.
As a now 31 year old man who is of color, relatively tall, who enjoys fitness, getting further into manhood/adulthood I notice that imposing fear that comes with being a man. It saddens me sometimes as iwant to be warm but there are times where I feel by default intimidating when that isnt my choice to be.
A line in the video that striked me was when she said that women are forever haunted by men whether it be husband, father, brother, etc. I have a sister as a sibling who has had two daughters. It pains me that even subconsciously they may fear me despite the fact I am warm and caring towards them all. I want to be a great uncle and brother who protects them and guides them.
Idunno just interesting to hear from a womans perspective how scary it must be to be in this world filled with men that essentially could be "orloks". It makes sense why women are so defensive but damn does it hurt as a man sometimes to be looked at as a "scary creature".
"Take that shit to the AMC!" I'm dead. Also, my condolences. I hope you have the support you need right now.
As someone who's watched your video on how Mina became Dracula's girlfriend more times than I can count, I was WAITING for this to drop. I am seated
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for what you do.
It's interesting that Eggers sees the ending as a triumph--I don't think it's played that way. Ellen's death is slow and sad and doesn't feel heroic at all. I don't mind that she dies, but it's not empowerment. Now, the ending of The Witch was empowerment.
I don't see either as empowerment really. But Ellen was a hero in a way, even if she was doomed. The end of the Witch reminds me of the end of Midsommar. Both protagonists were vulnerable and manipulated by evil. They might feel empowered in the moment but they're actually f*cked
Felt like she lost a battle in The Witch. Or by empowerment you mean the devil gave her powers to fly?
My favorite aspect of this movie is that the metaphors are not easily unpacked, at least not in a way that results in a simplistic fable.
Whatcha mean?
@@Δ-Δ-Δ-ΔThe film doesn't metaphorically "bash you with a hammer" but instead is subtle with many layers that we have to unpack and dissect to fully understand.
@@WheatDos I was watching it right now.
To me, it looks like what Western Europeans see Eastern Europeans as. Maybe.
Orlok.
Dirty, superstitious, blood-sucking.
Ellen and her higher knowledge is ignored. She's treated like a child.
Hutter sells it all in order to advance and provide like a man.
I'm so so sorry about your loss of your friend. I hope that you can find a way to manage in time and you and your friends other loved ones find some comfort in company. Grieve in your own time. I know life struggles happen, but genuinely sending you all the well wishes. Grief takes a lot from us.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Omg u just inspired me. I’m new to video essays and I was having a hard time conceptualizing what I wanted to say about Nosferatu. I was ready to give up but you posting has inspired me to continue.
Silvia Moreno-García mentioned!! i love her writing so much. Mexican Gothic was an instant favorite of mine 🖤
Imo it’s not that ATJ is any more “distractingly striking” than LRD, it’s that ATJ has NEVER shot for the moon in a performance the way LRD did in this one. Not that she can’t, I’ve just never seen her go above a 7 on the intensity of her performances. She gives very subtle expressions and conveys alot with very little, but this role needed her to convey a lot with a LOT and LRD brought it
I’m not a fan of either of their work but you’re absolutely right that LRD brought it and deserves credit for an impressive performance in this role.
i literally cheered seeing this video, princess thank you very much for speaking on this gothic masterpiece
my heart goes out to you and your family/friends at this time ❤ this was fantastic work as always! I feel like I engage with of 19th century Romantic & Gothic literature a lot and you always manage bring something new and interesting to mind that makes me think and I really appreciate that! 10/10 😘
Watched this on nebula yesterday but here to comment I loved it! Thank you for the great content
I can’t tell you how much I relate to your perspective on this issue of consent in art as it relates to its validity. The grayness of life is a common thread throughout works of literature going back as far as I’ve reached (Anglo-Saxon to be exact). I believe it makes a work more compelling, and this moral vagueness opens a space for conversation to happen. Just because an individual (for valid reasons) doesn’t like a work based on “dubious consent” as you’ve stated, doesn’t mean that it is unworthy wholeslale. Bravo, Princess.
This was such a gift. It's always a joy to see you do what you do so well. Thank you. 🧡 Condolences for your friend, wishing you time to connect and heal.
Honestly I don't find the sacrifice empowering or vengeful or a sacrificing act, it's more as though the society failed to save her and the women and a result of living in a patriarchy.
I am so sorry for your loss Princess. Myself and this community here will be with you all the way. Thank you for bringing us along! It is a privilege to hear your insights and thoughts, we are lucky to have you😊
I'm so sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself, and thank you for your videos. You are insightful and so talented.
Thank you for having us here as part of your grieving ❤
Just wanted to say that you're probably my favourite creator right now. Your videos are always so interesting and well-researched, I could watch 10-hour versions of every single one. Thank you for sharing them with us 💖
I immediately thought of Vanessa from Penny Dreadful when I watched Nosferatu as well.
I never comment ever but you inspired me to write my first ever fanfiction and it has helped me become a better writer. I'm sorry for your loss and hope you get through this.
so sorry for your loss 😢
grateful for the energy you share in your content 🥹🫂
Great video, Princess. Consistently impressed by your nuanced takes and high standard of commentary. Thanks so much for your work!
THANK YOUUUUU for mentioning death and the maiden omg it’s one of my favorite motifs in art and music and to see it so heavily baked into a mainstream film like this was *chefs kiss*
I wait (im)patiently for new videos from you, but it is especially meaningful that you've made this one as you go through a dark time. You are a delightful corner of the internet, Princess. Take care of yourself. Remember, living well is the best revenge 😉
Wonderful insights! Thanks for another great analysis. Sending you healing and light as you grieve the loss of your friend.
Omg, you've put into words what I was having so much trouble saying. The end just didn't sit right with me and what you said is so right. How Dafou's character seemed to see Ellen for who she was, discarding the era's biases, but then was so quick to incentivise her sacrifice and even revel in it at the end. Seeing her as a means to an end and so quick to use her instead of trying to save a person he seemed to have such respect for.
Great video. Something about what you were discussing with audiences takeaways or the discourse about the movie, kind of made me think about “pleasure activism” and the issues with it.
Sending you love through the grieving process 💜
Thank you for this video! I was hesitant to watch because the discourse around this movie has been awful…and that’s coming from a girl who’s on Interview with the Vampire twitter. I genuinely feel like you addressed everything that’s been bothering me about the movie and discussions surrounding it.
I was raised in a repressed, oppressive religious environment and experienced sexual assault at a young age, so of course I connected a lot to Ellen as a protagonist, so even though I could see the end coming, it was devastating to watch. I left the theater feeling nauseous, but it was the puriteens vs monsterfucker media literacy wars that actually had me triggered. My own perspective on the movie is so informed by my experiences and trauma that I genuinely can’t imagine seeing anything redemptive or romantic in Ellen’s relationship with Orlock, but I’m also able to recognize why that is, and not expect other people to feel the same way I do.
So sorry for your loss, sending warmth and soothing in your grief. I can only imagine how elevated of an experience this was working with this topic
So sorry to hear about your friend. That is tough to handle. I hope you will keep posting videos because your essays mean so much to me. I am always so excited when I see an update from you. My Holy Trinity is Princess, BKR and Kaz - and it gives me so much joy to see a topic that so clearly connects all three of you, and your areas of expertise.
Condolences for your loss... Once again I'm so glad I found your channel. Former Austin/San Antonio person with many fond memories of the Alamo Drafthouse. I always learn so much watching.
I'm so very sorry for loss. Your content is STELLAR btw, thank you so much ❤
this is the best discussion i’ve seen about this movie so far. i’ve gotten so frustrated with the discourse on this movie because i also felt, as someone who sees myself in ellen in so many different ways, that nosferatu could be considered both a manifestation of ellen’s sexual desires AND a sexual predator. everyone will interpret the film as they will depending on their own experiences and perspectives. but why argue whether or not it’s about r@pe or a woman’s sexual desire in a world where sexual desire is feared and repressed when it can be both? i started experiencing sexual desire at a young age, which i was ashamed of and learned to repress. i experienced men using that as an excuse to assault me - because i’ve wanted it so many times before so i must always want it and im not virginal enough to deserve a choice. my experiences with assault have lead to hypersexuality for me. but that doesn’t mean i don’t deserve gentleness and sensitivity and consideration of my feelings throughout the process of intimacy. and i know that many other people feel similarly to me too. so yeah sorry for getting too personal in the comments lmao. i’m not seeking sympathy or anything i’m only sharing this because i had very complicated feelings about the film and i appreciate you diving deep into it and acknowledging the validity of the many different and complicated interpretations of it
YESS !! As always thank you for the breakdown of the "dracula" of it all!! I feel like you're one of the rare creators that focus on that element and HOW different movies change it the book.... also I agree on the Clint /Natasha bit lol
I’m sorry for your loss 💜 I’m glad this was able to help you through this. Great work as always.
im sorry for your loss, please take care and be kind to yourself!
also great video as always!
Oh, sorry to hear that you lost someone this year, I also lost someone around the same time and it's so weird to have to juggle financial/travel arrangements along with grief. :(
I've been waiting for a video by you on Nosferatu as soon as I left the theatre with conflicting feelings on to movie and feeling torn between appreciating the artistry and vibes of it but also feeling kinda ehh about the ending of it. I loved seeing your thought process and how you reached your conclusions and opinions and how much it resembles the thoughts I also had while thinking about the movie for weeks after the initial watch. Thank you SO much for such a well made video.
I enjoyed a lot that you touched on to the hypersexuality a victim might feel in regards to Ellen's displays of desire not canceling out necessarily the fact that what she went through while calling upon a companion wasn't fully consensual as I haven't seen that touched upon much (as in what I've seen on the movie so far on both youtube and tumblr).
Looking forward to being able to watch the movie again once it comes to video-on-demand or streaming because I would enjoy watching it with the ability to take some breaks and take some notes too.
Once again, great video!
Damn, sorry to hear about your friend's passing. All the best to you on dealing with it, it's always hard. Thanks for the video.
I tripped HARD at about 15:30 when Princess seemed to call death itself "The Ultimate Patriarchal Force." I need elaboration because I'm pretty sure in all possible power structures, patriarchal or not, we gonna have a bit of death
Just a bit lol
I loved your analysis but wanted to comment to express my condolences for the loss of your friend. I’m so sorry for your loss.
New Princess Weekes video! Let’s gooooo!
super thankful for your work, its a gift to witness ur greatness!! im sorry for your loss ❤️
Im gonna have to watch it again to digest all the literary analysis of the Gothic genre. And take notes. I love your work. Your latest twilight video was really helpful in helping me get over a really bad breakup.
Im really sorry for your loss. Hope you feel better.
I'M SO EARLY!!! Im so excited to watch this, I love your videos and your thoughts on media AHHH i loved this movie.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I understand the feeling of coping by working hard. Hope you can take whatever you need for yourself
I never understood the “either or” discussions. Like you can be raped by people you’re attracted to? Eggers could have wrote it more like Coppola’s Dracula if he wanted it to be only interpreted as a dark Romance. He also could have written her as having no pull towards the darkness if he wanted. It’s clearly supposed to have elements of both.
As always, you made a really great video with very interesting points and insights into gothic stories and how they relate culturally and historically.
What else can we do, indeed.
Great video, as always.
Happy new year, princess.
so sorry for your loss, this was a great essay!
I’m so glad the line that struck me also resonated and by gosh I’m excited for this
Love this video! A deep conversation about this movie from a literary perspective is what I wanted so bad! If you’re interested in more of the folklore/historical context for the concept of “spirit marriage” “The Frightful Howls You May Hear” is another one of the best discussions of this movie
Will check that podcast out thanks.
great video! i really hope the return of eroticism in movies is a sign that we're starting to move past the puritan nightmare culture we've been stuck in. shoutout to babygirl!
Really thought provoking, love it! ❤ so sorry for the loss of your friend. 😢 hello from UK x
So glad that smut is making a comeback. It honestly what we all deserve.
brilliant analysis of the movie and a great dive into the gothic genre, thank you!!
So sorry for your loss, Princess. Do whatever you need to cope and take care of yourself ❤
Thank you for this video. I saw this with my boyfriend to show that I could get outside my comfort zone. But I felt so uncomfortable by the ending that I felt something was wrong with me or that I didn’t understand it. And my boyfriend told me that if I try to do that again, I’m allowed to just walk out for my own sake.
This is a really great video, but I have to say I died laughing when I saw your Edelgard print in the BG. I wasn't expecting it and it's perfect!
Oh I’ve been waiting for your video 💕
I’m currently reading Carmilla and it occurred to me that Ellen is not only a combination of Mina/Lucy from Dracula, but also has a bit of Laura thrown in. The yearning and desperation for companionship leading her to welcome a vampire into her life is very reminiscent of Laura. Also, your audio cuts out at 43:01 and the video continues silently through the end credits. Just thought you should know.
oh thank you!!
34:00 exactly! Girls can be hypersexual without being abused. Sometimes the shame just comes from seeing society around you paint your inner thoughts as dirty and shameful. It's a recipe for disaster. Ellen was lonely and sensual and reached out but was heard by the WRONG ONE. My initial interpretation was that "you never forget your first, even if you hated it". Orlock gave her the first taste and even though she doesn't want him and she tried to move on, the shame stuck with her. She's newly married and loves her husband but still can't shake that shame. She even tells Thomas that he was the one to bring her out of that despair for the first time!
Essalam to your loved one Princess, I feel you and I'm so grateful as a supporter and viewer that you share your process. Together we are, peace and comfort to and through you. I did love the pivot this take took. I was shaken at the notion of the director's insistence that her final act was "Kill Bill" moment, but I resonated more with the interviewer's perspective. Hearing your analysis, I think I better understand "Why the Monster?" Though being disappointed by the monster winning, I can better see the escape fantasy potential. May be why the horror genre is "dark fantasy," add subtle to fantastical language to the unspeakable in life... thank you for doing this again, stay up and awesome as you are. Know you have our love, support, and dearest condolences. 🤲🏾🤲🏾
I’ve been waiting…. waiting……. waiting……. for this video :)