Ranking the 10 Most Shocking Scenes in Nosferatu

WARNING: Major spoilers for Nosferatu ahead

Robert Eggers’ interpretation of the vampire horror classic Nosferatu stands out for its meticulously constructed narrative and an overwhelming atmosphere of dread. Led by Bill Skarsgård’s haunting portrayal of Count Orlok, this Gothic horror film draws extensively from authentic Eastern European folklore, bringing a fresh nightmare to the iconic story of a sinister Transylvanian aristocrat preying upon a newlywed couple in a Western European town. Critics and audiences have lauded Nosferatu for its rich world-building and compelling performances, generating widespread acclaim upon its release.

While some viewers suggest that Nosferatu lacks the conventional frights typically found in contemporary horror films—such as jump scares and graphic violence—the movie is far from devoid of unsettling moments. Throughout its narrative, it delivers a plethora of shocking imagery and disconcerting sequences. Below, we delve into ten of the most striking moments in Nosferatu, ranked by their intensity and impact.

10 Thomas Hutter Is Pulled Into The Carriage

The First True Sign Of Orlok’s Power

Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter approaches Orlok's carriage in Nosferatu

This scene, while unfolding gradually, marks a pivotal moment indicating Count Orlok’s supernatural influence. As Thomas Hutter embarks toward Orlok’s ominous castle, he traverses a shadowy path illuminated only by the moonlight and snow. Suddenly, a carriage hurtles towards him, halting abruptly before he is drawn into it by an unseen force. Upon entering a trance-like state, it appears as if he levitates into the carriage, enhancing the dreamlike quality of the moment as he is seemingly led by Orlok’s dark power.

Nosferatu – Key Details
Director	Release Date	Budget	Box Office Gross	RT Tomatometer Score	RT Popcornmeter Score
Robert Eggers	December 25th, 2024	$50 million	$48.4 million (and counting)	87%	75%

9 A Grieving Friedrich Holds His Wife One Last Time

The Grieving Husband Violates His Family’s Mausoleum

Friedrich Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) in Nosferatu

The unfolding tragedy of the Hardings encapsulates the idea of “no good deed going unpunished.”Their act of kindness towards Ellen Hutter while Thomas is absent culminates in a catastrophic loss when Count Orlok eradicates their family. Following the brutal murders of his wife Anna (Emma Corrin) and their children, Friedrich Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) grapples with immense sorrow. A visit to his family’s mausoleum reveals his profound despair, as he battles the plague devastating Wisborg.

The earlier portrayal of the deeply affectionate bond between Friedrich and Anna heightens the impact of his subsequent violation of her tomb. Friedrich’s actions carry a heavy implication, as he appears to succumb to a twisted grief that veers perilously close to necrophilia, a shocking transformation for a character previously depicted as rational and resolute.

8 Anna Harding Gets Gnawed By Rats

One Of The Most Unsettling Images Of The Movie

Anna Harding (Emma Corrin) looking terrified in Nosferatu

As Ellen’s sole confidante, Anna Harding, portrayed by Emma Corrin, provides critical support during Ellen’s harrowing experiences. Tragically, Anna becomes ensnared by the very evil her friend had unwittingly summoned. Following a chilling incident, Ellen finds Anna sprawled on the floor, seemingly lifeless, ravaged by the plague-ridden rats that have arrived with Orlok’s ship. This grotesque image—a result of Anna’s violation by Orlok—lingers unsettlingly in the viewer’s mind, especially for those with an aversion to rodents.

7 The Townspeople Summon A Virgin And Kill A Vampire

Thomas Hutter Observes The Locals Killing One Of The Undead

Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter in Nosferatu

Upon arriving in Transylvania, Thomas Hutter’s perceptions become clouded during his stay at a local inn. Observing from his window, he witnesses townsfolk leading a naked woman on horseback into a cemetery. Contrary to first impressions of a sinister ritual, the locals are enacting traditional Eastern European folklore; the virgin is not meant to be a sacrifice but serves as bait to draw out a lurking vampire from its grave.

In a shocking yet authentic moment, a vampire erupts from its burial site, prompting a visceral response when it is swiftly staked through the heart. This chilling event underscores the film’s deep ties to folklore while delivering genuine horror.

6 Orlok’s Face Melts In the Sun

Eggers Provides One Of The Most Memorable Vampire Deaths Ever

Count Orlock's eyeline in extreme closeup in Nosferatu

The haunting narrative of vampires succumbing to sunlight finds its roots in the original Nosferatu, predating Dracula’s treatment. Eggers brilliantly nods to this tradition with an unforgettable depiction of Orlok’s demise. Unlike the original film’s fading death, Count Orlok remains fixated on Ellen’s blood, ultimately melting away under the sunlight. The visceral image of blood cascading from his decaying body as he collapses atop Ellen marks a deeply impactful moment in cinematic history.

5 Ellen Hutter’s Most Extreme “Spell”

Lily-Rose Depp Dials Up The Intensity

Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), tearing at her clothes in Nosferatu

As Thomas returns to Wisborg, a palpable increase in the intensity of Ellen’s seizures becomes evident, signaling Orlok’s looming presence. Ellen’s emotional turmoil culminates in a scene where she violently tears her clothing and undergoes extreme physical convulsions, reflecting the lingering influence of Orlok. Lily-Rose Depp masterfully depicts a character caught between ecstasy and agony, embodying the horror of being trapped in a body that no longer feels under her control.

4 Orlok’s First Psychic Invasion Of Ellen

One Of The Movie’s Only True Jump Scares, And Likely Its Best

Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp) screaming in terror while someone grabs her by the neck in Nosferatu

The film begins with Ellen in a state of despair, longing for solace from a higher power. Her psychic abilities enable her to reach out to Count Orlok, which results in his devastating intrusion into her mind. Eggers captures this pivotal moment with one of the film’s most startling jump scares, as Orlok’s menacing grip closes around Ellen’s neck, showcasing his grotesque visage for a fleeting moment.

3 Orlok Kills The Harding Girls

Even Children Are Not Spared From Orlok’s Evil

Count Orlok demonstrates his monstrous approach to terror during the three nights he allows Ellen to reconsider her allegiance to him. In a chilling display, he targets the Harding daughters, Clara and Louise, leading to an appalling scene where he brutally bites their necks. The image of him discarding their lifeless bodies evokes a profound sense of horror, especially considering the innocence of the victims.

2 Orlok’s Full Form Revealed

The Vampire’s Corpse-Like Body Is Finally Exposed

Count Orlok looking over his shoulder in the darkness in Nosferatu

As Thomas Hutter realizes the depths of Count Orlok’s malevolence, he attempts to flee the castle, only to encounter a crypt that houses Orlok’s sarcophagus. Choosing to follow the villagers’ method of dispatch, he prepares to drive a stake through Orlok’s heart. In a tense moment, Orlok emerges from his coffin, revealing his grotesque form. Dressed as a traditional Romanian nobleman, his body is disturbingly decomposed, positioning Orlok far from the archetypal sleek vampire, rendering the moment truly unsettling.

1 Ellen And Orlok Consummate Their Commitment

One Of The Most Chilling Final Scenes In Recent Memory

Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter in a wedding dress in Nosferatu

The climax occurs when Ellen Hutter invites Count Orlok back into her chamber, echoing her past submission to him. In a desperate attempt to protect her loved ones and safeguard Wisborg, she forges a disturbing pact with Orlok. As both strip down, they consummate a grotesque union under the pretense of love.

In a heartbreaking twist, Orlok feasts on Ellen’s blood, prying open her chest in a display of ravenous desire as dawn breaks, yet her power draws him back to her even as the sun attempts to banish him. The scene’s chilling implications and the raw tension between the act of sacrifice and dark desire resonate powerfully, culminating in a haunting image that lingers long after the credits roll.

This concluding confrontation encapsulates the film’s ability to deliver profound horror without relying solely on sudden scares, instead utilizing psychological complexity and emotional weight to craft a conclusion that is both shocking and memorable.

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