Makeup effects designer David White has recently shed light on the intricate transformation of Bill Skarsgård into Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated reinterpretation of Nosferatu. This modern gothic horror film reimagines F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent classic, as the ancient vampire preys on the unsuspecting inhabitants of a desolate seaside village. At the center of this enthralling tale is Ellen Hutter, played by Lily-Rose Depp, whose husband Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) becomes an unwitting target of the creature’s ancient malevolence. Since its release on Christmas Day by Focus Features, Nosferatu has captivated audiences, resonating with Eggers’ signature atmospheric dread.
In an interview with Variety, White detailed the meticulous design process behind Skarsgård’s prosthetics, aimed at encapsulating the ageless yet decaled essence of Count Orlok. Drawing from Max Schreck’s iconic portrayal of the vampire, he crafted a unique rendition tailored to Eggers’ vision. White elaborated on some of the key challenges he faced during the design:
The most challenging aspect of developing Skarsgård’s look was ensuring that his prosthetic makeup functioned on multiple levels with a singular sculptural design. I aimed to meet various criteria creatively.
Maintaining an ambiguous age was crucial—I wanted him to appear ageless. This was achieved by carefully regulating the number of wrinkles and prominent character lines and avoiding hoods over his eyelids and eye bags. Making him appealing and charismatic to Ellen while concealing his grotesque decay in shadows was essential.
Coloration posed another hurdle. I developed two distinct appearances: one for his Sarcophagus, featuring puce tones with bruised red blemishes and darker shades, and another for his “day look,”which appeared waxen and pallid.
White further emphasized the extraordinary number of prosthetics utilized to bring Count Orlok to vivid life:
Count Orlok wears nine prosthetics on his head and face, including pieces for the neck, back of head, chin, cheeks, lips, ears, nose, forehead, and nose bridge.
Additionally, he sports top and bottom hand prosthetics, featuring eight finger extensions with nails and two thumb pieces, each incorporating a blender prosthetic to mask the edges.
For his full-body transformation, an impressive 62 prosthetic pieces are utilized, requiring a dedicated team of six to apply them.
The Significance of Bill Skarsgård’s Transformation in Nosferatu
From Pennywise to Count Orlok: A Monumental Transformation
Skarsgård’s transformation into Pennywise for the 2017 remake of It was a considerable undertaking that involved two and a half hours of prosthetic application. In contrast, the transformation for Nosferatu escalated the demands, ranging from four to six hours depending on the desired look. As he portrayed the menacing Count Orlok, Skarsgård donned elongated, pointed nails, pallid skin riddled with lesions, and eyes that morphed into a haunting milky white trance.
In Eggers’ vision, Count Orlok is presented with a more aristocratic demeanor, diverging from previous adaptations. White notes, “Robert wanted Orlok to exude an air of nobility, including a mustache and forelock,” which distinguishes this version from earlier iterations that depicted a virtually bald and sunken-eyed creature.
Despite the differences in characterization, one defining feature remains constant across all versions of Count Orlok: his notorious long nails. In Skarsgård’s interpretation, these menacing fingers not only symbolize predation but also appear to extend ominously from the shadows, ready to ensnare unsuspecting victims. By effectively blending time-honored traits with fresh conceptualizations of Orlok’s character, Eggers’ Nosferatu successfully captures the haunting legacy of its predecessors while delivering a vampire that radiates both eerie power and chilling charm.
Our Perspective on the Makeup Design of Nosferatu
A Haunting Triumph of Craft and Performance
Eggers’ Nosferatu emerges as a visual and atmospheric triumph, with Skarsgård’s transformation into Count Orlok standing out as a particularly haunting element. The eerie combination of gnarled nails and pallid skin paints an indelible image of an ancient predator who embodies both charisma and grotesqueness. White successfully honors the legacy of the 1922 original while introducing innovative aspects that deepen the terror that Count Orlok evokes.
Source: Variety
Leave a Reply