Ultra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Nosferatu is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her. Set in 1830s Germany, the plot begins with estate agent Thomas Hutter who, at the bequest of his boss, travels to Transylvania to meet with Count Orlok, a prospective client looking to purchase a rundown estate in their province.

Hutter's bride, Ellen, has recently been plagued by escalating visions and night terrors, causing an increasing sense of dread for the safety of her husband. While in Transylvania, Thomas comes face to face with the evil that seeks to use him as a pawn in order to tighten its grasp on the long-awaited prize—his beloved wife, Ellen.

In the hands of filmmaker Robert Eggers, Nosferatu is a small film in terms of scope, relying on its subject matter to drive its dark themes of obsession, horror, and psychological thrills. Its synthesized plot is drawn from the pages of Bram Stoker, set to a slow burn of a story, with a series of eyebrow-raising moments, that will occasionally have viewers squirming in their seats.

This is a standout Dracula film, if ever I have seen one. It’s compelling, reaching beyond typical genre tropes, with a dark and creepy tale that focuses on the plight of a young woman that was bound to a soulless creature at an early age, who must now confront the darkness that seeks to reclaim, and, consume her.

The cast, as an ensemble, is fantastic. The direction, production elements, including the cinematography, are equally worthy of praise, driving the film’s elements with aplomb.

For its presentation in Ultra HD Nosferatu was derived from film-based sources, and finished using a 4K Digital Intermediate.

Framed in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio, this is a top-notch Ultra HD presentation that reveals the finest minutia in physical features, and textures, such as those seen on the interior of dwellings, prison cells, or the exterior shooting locations, featured in the story.

When applied, high dynamic range plays a notable role, as the use of color/sepia enlivens shots, bringing them to the forefront. Whites are detailed and bright, especially during the film’s many transitions that feature a mix of light/dark elements. The nighttime, and, dark interior sequences, of which there are many, have superb dimension.

Proper adjustment of your display’s black level is a must in order to discern the details in the shadow-laden environs. The rendering of specular highlights in firelight, set against the various stages of darkness seen in backgrounds, is among the presentation’s highlights.

The Dolby Atmos surround mix is equally worthy of praise, creating an involving level of 3D immersion that drives the film’s thematic tone. This is apparent from the opening scene. As the events in the story ratchet up, the sounds of expansive spaces, falling rain/thunder, and, front to rear pans, utilize the entire soundstage. The detection of subtle background sounds, off camera cues, and spatial dimension, in the listening environment is head turning. Dialog is firmly planted in the center channel, rendering voices, and effects, with appropriate distinction.

The low frequency effects mixed to the subwoofer work in tandem with the rest of the system to convey the recording’s palpably rich bass, and dynamic impact. There are set pieces, and, smaller/brief moments, that show off this well-crafted mix, resulting in a complete listening experience.

Bonus features are comprised of three deleted scenes, seven production featurettes, and filmmaker commentary, that offer insights into the making of the film, production design, visual effects, costumes, makeup, and background on the source material. Both the theatrical version, and unrated extended cut, are included, along with a Blu-ray, and Digital code.

Nosferatu isn’t a film that I feel compelled to watch again, however, it is most definitely a cinematic work deserving of recognition by cinema enthusiasts. Fans are sure to be pleased with its 4K presentation, making it a worthy addition to their video library.