Director Robert Eggers has shed light on the creative decisions behind the redesign of Count Orlok in his remake of Nosferatu. The character, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, features a mustache that Eggers deemed essential to authentically represent the infamous vampire’s cultural origins.
In an interview, Eggers elaborated on the research and folklore that influenced Orlok’s revamped appearance. He revealed that his approach to making a more terrifying vampire relied on delving into historical folklore. “The early folk vampire was written about by people who believed in their existence,” Eggers noted. “These were seen as putrid, walking undead corpses, and there was a lot of rich material to draw from for Orlok’s design.”
Eggers’ Nosferatu is a fresh take on F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent film, which itself was a reimagining of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. While many iconic portrayals of the vampire exist, Eggers decided to make Skarsgård’s Count Orlok stand out, with one defining feature: a mustache.
The mustache, Eggers explained, was not merely an aesthetic choice but rooted in cultural authenticity. “The question became, ‘What does a dead Transylvanian nobleman look like?’” he said. “It means elaborate Hungarian attire, long sleeves, high-heeled shoes, a furry hat, and absolutely a mustache. It’s integral to the culture. Even Bram Stoker gave Dracula a mustache in the original novel.”
Set in the 1830s, Nosferatu follows Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), a newlywed German woman who becomes the object of Count Orlok’s eerie obsession. Nicholas Hoult plays her husband, Thomas Hutter, with a stellar supporting cast that includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, and Willem Dafoe.
Skarsgård’s experience as Pennywise in It helped prepare him for the role of Orlok, allowing him to bring depth to another monstrous character. “Pennywise was a huge leap for me in embodying something abstract and far removed from who I am,” he shared. “But Orlok is an even bigger challenge.”
Eggers’ Nosferatu balances its gothic roots with modern storytelling while drawing on deep cultural and historical influences. Fans can experience this chilling reimagining of the iconic vampire tale, now playing in theaters.