Award-winning director Robert Eggers has given fans a sneak peek into his upcoming Nosferatu remake, unveiling a chilling first-look image and teasing the mesmerizing transformation of It star Bill Skarsgård into the iconic vampire. Eggers, celebrated for his haunting films such as The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, ventures into the realm of horror history with his fourth feature, a reimagination of the 1922 vampire classic.

The star-studded cast of the Nosferatu remake boasts talents like Skarsgård as Count Orlok, alongside Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Willem Dafoe, Simon McBurney, and Ralph Ineson.

Today, Empire exclusively revealed the first-look image from Eggers’ Nosferatu remake, featuring Lily-Rose Depp in a spine-chilling moment as Ellen Hutter, terrorized by the iconic claw of Nosferatu casting a foreboding shadow. Eggers, known for his mastery in crafting “old-school Gothic” horror, provided insights into the film and tantalized fans with Skarsgård’s spine-tingling metamorphosis into the eponymous vampire.

Eggers commented, “It’s a Gothic horror movie, and I do think that there hasn’t been an old-school Gothic movie that’s actually scary in a while. It’s even more Ellen’s story than previous versions. And Lily-Rose is absolutely phenomenal.” The director expressed concern that Skarsgård’s transformative performance might not receive its due credit, emphasizing the actor’s subtle yet profound portrayal of a folk vampire with a Transylvanian nobleman aesthetic.

From the unveiled image and Eggers’ revelations, Nosferatu is set to delve deeper into Ellen’s character, distinguishing itself from prior adaptations. Lily-Rose Depp, renowned for her role in HBO’s The Idol, is anticipated to deliver an outstanding performance, despite the show’s mixed reception.

Skarsgård, no stranger to transformative roles after his portrayal of Pennywise, is expected to infuse new life into Count Orlok, aligning with the eerie legacies of Max Schreck and Klaus Kinski. Eggers, recognized for infusing folklore into his horror creations, aptly describes his Nosferatu as a “folk vampire.”

While the initial glimpse of Eggers’ Nosferatu holds promise, the real excitement lies in witnessing Skarsgård’s portrayal unfold, promising a captivating and unsettling journey into the heart of this classic tale.