How a 1981 Horror Film Enhanced Lily-Rose Depp’s Chilling Nosferatu Performance

WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Nosferatu.

Actor Lily-Rose Depp has captivated audiences with her remarkable performance in Robert Eggers’s horror film Nosferatu. Her character, Ellen Hutter, becomes ensnared by the psychological grip of the malevolent vampire Count Orlok, leading to some of the film’s most harrowing moments. Interestingly, Depp’s portrayal can be traced back to influences from a 43-year-old film, underlining the power of cinematic legacy.

While Nosferatu is a modern retelling of the iconic 1922 film, it draws heavily from Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula. However, it also pays homage to a lesser-known horror gem from 1981: Possession. This film echoes a shared theme of a woman confronting otherworldly forces, making it a crucial reference point for both Depp’s character and the new adaptation.

Lily-Rose Depp Takes Cues from Isabelle Adjani’s Performance in Possession

Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp) in bed looking sick in Nosferatu

In crafting her performance, Depp reflected on the psychological horror presented by director Andrzej Żuławski in Possession. She mentioned in an interview with IndieWire that Isabelle Adjani’s portrayal of Anna significantly informed her interpretation of Ellen:

“I thought a lot about Possession. Isabelle Adjani has an incredible and iconic performance in that. She also was an Ellen of the past [in Werner Herzog’s 1979 Nosferatu the Vampyre], and so I was very honored to carry the French girl baton to play Ellen in this version. She’s an actress that inspires me a lot.”

Both Ellen and Anna face profound psychological challenges, particularly during moments of isolation. The most striking parallel is evident in their visceral, animalistic episodes — with Ellen’s turmoil revealing Count Orlok’s sinister influence. In contrast, Anna’s harrowing climax results in a gruesome miscarriage within a subway station, symbolizing a deep descent into despair.

Parallels Between Nosferatu and Possession

Examining Marriages Torn Apart by Dark Forces

Much like Possession, Nosferatu unfolds the tale of a marriage slowly unraveling under the weight of a supernatural threat. In this narrative, Ellen’s distress is directly attributed to Count Orlok’s dark powers, whereas Possession leaves audiences questioning whether Anna’s struggles originate from an actual supernatural force or her psychological turmoil.

Despite these differences, both narratives navigate through complex love triangles that disrupt marital bonds. Ellen becomes entrapped in a disturbing dynamic with Count Orlok, while Anna clandestinely nurtures a tentacled entity that morphs into her husband, Mark’s, doppelgänger—representing her psychological desires. In stark contrast, Ellen’s situation presents Orlok as the ultimate threat to her well-being.

Lily-Rose Depp’s performance in Nosferatu serves as a tribute to Isabelle Adjani’s groundbreaking work in Possession. Through her unsettling yet captivating portrayal of a woman facing spiritual turmoil, Depp contributes to the film’s potential status as a contemporary horror classic.

In conclusion, both Nosferatu and Possession offer intense explorations of women who grapple with isolation and the allure of otherworldly connections. Depp’s homage serves to elevate Robert Eggers’ adaptation, paving the way for a new era of horror storytelling.

Source: IndieWire

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