Almost a decade later The witch is released, director Robert Eggers returns to his horror roots in a remake of the classic Nosferatu. Some might be slightly disappointed that Anya Taylor-Joy wasn’t able to reunite with the director this time around, but that didn’t stop her from including entertainment industry royalties. Cast as the titular vampire himself, Bill Skarsgård joins the Eggers horror family. Son of the famous actor Stellan and brother of Alexandre, the actor has made a name for himself in equally scary films.

Skarsgård is perhaps best known as the clown Pennywise, who terrorizes children and adults alike in the adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic novel, He. Although his character was terrifying and what made him a household name in horror, He was not his first introduction to the horror genre since this title belongs to the television series Hemlock Grove. But his performance is more akin to that of a vampire than that of a killer clown.

Hemlock Grove was one of Netflix’s first forays into original programming

This was in 2013, long before Netflix took over the streaming content market. Consumers could still order DVDs in little red envelopes, and many had lines a mile long. This moment seems almost quaint when Netflix introduced viewers to original television programming. Some of his earliest included Linea mystery series featuring new Green Lantern star Kyle Chandler in 2015. This show was, however, preceded by Hemlock Grovean adapted horror television series of the same name. At a time when The Vampire Diaries was at its peak, Netflix made a place for itself in the genre with Brian McGreevy’s book.

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Set in the titular, fictional town, Hemlock Grove follows two young men who find their lives inextricably intertwined after meeting. Peter Rumancek has just moved to town with his mother after the death of an uncle. Although there are many secrets in the Pennsylvania town, Peter has one of his own. He’s a werewolf who tries to act as normal as possible. This proves somewhat difficult when a local girl is killed by what appears to be an animal. Peter’s hairs rise when he discovers the girl’s body, realizing that he may not be the only monster in town.

It turns out that’s not the case. He meets Roman Godfrey, played with strange charisma by Bill Skarsgård. However Roman doesn’t realize it himself, he’s an upir – a daytime vampire. He doesn’t understand his strange urges or why he is obsessed with Peter after meeting him, but the two high school students’ lives are changed forever. Roman learns that Peter is a werewolf and introduces him to secrets about himself and his wealthy family. Despite the immersive world, Hemlock Grove wasn’t really liked. It would be three years before the heartbreaking Stranger Things hit the Netflix airwaves and made the platform what it is today. Even so, Skarsgård’s performance as the conflicted, bloodthirsty protagonist would be definitive for his career and put him on track to becoming one of media’s most famous vampires.

Bill Skarsgård as Roman Godfrey was as bizarre as he was engaging

For those familiar with pop culture, see Bill Skarsgård’s name appear in the opening credits of Hemlock Grove was a pleasant surprise. The actor didn’t have much visibility at the time, even though he was following in his brother’s footsteps. Alexander Skarsgård had already become famous for playing the Viking vampire Eric Northman in the provocative HBO series. Real blood. The vampire love triangle series was scandalous in its own way, but Roman differed greatly from Eric where it mattered.

Hemlock Grove is a bizarre and surreal watch as it takes place in a world where monsters are closer to reality than they seem. Roman’s first scene is consistent with this, as he has sex with a girl in his car while cutting himself before rubbing the blood on her shoulder. “You’re so weird, Roman,” the girl says in the series’ first line of dialogue. This moment is essentially the thesis of the series. Hemlock Grove It’s weird and sometimes ridiculous, but it’s always entertaining. Roman’s moment in the car is meant to disorient the audience, and the show does so happily. The atmosphere of the show is at times dreamlike before transforming into visceral body horror. When things begin to become clear, Roman remains mysterious. The first season sends the character on a journey of self-discovery, and this self-discovery leads to his evil destiny.

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Roman could have been like any other teenager if he hadn’t been born to Olivia (Famke Janssen). Upir immortal, Olivia does everything she can for her son because she considers him special. The Upirs are the vampires of this universe, with only slightly twisted lore. Born with hair styling, Roman will eventually become an upir like his mother, but he needs some coaxing to get there. Manipulative and dominating, Olivia orchestrates events throughout the series to ensure that Roman ultimately becomes immortal like her.. She uses her bewitching powers to push Roman in certain directions, even toward violence, so when his destiny is revealed, he will choose to join her. Despite some of his heinous actions, it’s hard not to identify with him.

Basically, Roman is a teenager with a complex relationship with his mother. His growing pains are excruciating and supernatural, but he asks himself the same questions as everyone else. The result is a complex character, both terrifying and empathetic. He has monstrous impulses, like his obsessive fixation on his cousin Letha (Penelope Mitchell), but it could be argued that he wouldn’t be this way without Olivia’s influence. Skarsgård pulls off this duality impressively and is easily the most engaging part of the series. It humanizes Roman even if the character abandons his humanity.

Hemlock Grove has a unique tradition of its kind

Which sets Hemlock Grove apart from other vampire tales, there is tradition. Inspired by Slavic mythology, the vampires in the series do not follow the usual rules. In Hemlock Groveupirs can reproduce biologically and give birth to human children. This is how Roman has a sister, Shelley (Nicole Boivin), inspired by Frankenstein’s monster. Shelley didn’t have the potential to become an upir, while, for Olivia, Roman was perfect. Seeing him born with the cape, she knows that he will have to complete his transition to the status of upir.

Before that happens, Roman demonstrates his own powers again. He can hypnotize people, an ability which Peter believes makes him positive. He also has a fixation on blood, but this becomes much worse after the transition. His final act is necessary for the transition, which is why Olivia manipulates him as much as she does. Roman becomes so traumatized and enraged by his mother’s behavior that he commits suicide to take away her power. Unfortunately, that’s what she wants. Roman’s death is the final step in making him a full-fledged upir. After his death, he develops a monstrous appetite and an inability to control his bloodlust. This fact connects the tradition in Hemlock Grove to more familiar vampire traits, as in Nosferatu. Hemlock Grove is a refreshing take on vampire lore and was elevated by Skarsgård’s appearance.

Hemlock Grove was underrated for its time

Although it’s absolutely unlike anything else on television, Hemlock Grove did not generate mass appeal among the public. The series only lasted three seasons, and it’s virtually impossible to find these days. Although it is a Netflix original, it is no longer found on the platform and only the first season is available for digital streaming. It’s a parody that doesn’t deserve what the series brought to the public. Subsequent seasons may not have been as impressive as the first, but it was a very effective story that showcased the talents of many of the people involved.

Eli Roth was the driving force behind Hemlock Grove and shared his authentic vision in the series. The director behind Cabin Fever and The Green Inferno, Roth, is exemplary in fusing horrific elements, both visceral and entertaining. Hemlock Grove is not enjoyable because it is the most serious show ever. If that were the case, it would be a betrayal of the Roth brand. Just as Dusk experienced a renaissance 15 years after its creation, Hemlock Grove should also be considered from a similar perspective. The series is not the pinnacle of serious programming because it doesn’t have to be.

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The characters are compelling, the drama is surprising, and it’s safe to say there was nothing like it on television at the time. Roth is not a subtle filmmaker, and that’s a good thing. Hemlock Grove was a true escapist experience that showed what a supernatural series could be capable of. It doesn’t have to be predictable, and it’s something that the Dracula-inspired Nosferatu has something in common with him. Robert Eggers has a reputation for staying true to his vision, and it’s safe to say that his new vampire feature is better off with Skarsgård.

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Nosferatu

A gothic story of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire who is in love with her, causing indescribable horror in his wake.

Director

Robert Eggers

Release date

December 25, 2024

Cast

Bill Skarsgard, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Simon McBurney, Ralph Ineson, Paul Maynard, Stacy Thunes

Distributor(s)

Focus features, universal images

Writers

Robert Eggers

Runtime

132 minutes

Studio(s)

Regency Enterprises, 1492 photos

Develop