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Shadow of the Vampire

R Released Jan 26, 2001 1h 33m Drama List
82% Tomatometer 141 Reviews 74% Audience Score 25,000+ Ratings
F. W. Murnau (John Malkovich) is struggling to create his silent classic "Nosferatu" on location in Eastern Europe. The director is obsessed with making this the most authentic vampire movie ever. To that end, Murnau has employed a real vampire, Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe), explaining to the crew that he is the ultimate of that new breed, the "method actor" -- trained by Stanislavsky himself. Schreck will appear only in character and only at night. Read More Read Less

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Shadow of the Vampire

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Critics Consensus

Shadow of the Vampire is frightening, compelling, and funny, and features an excellent performance by Willem Dafoe.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody New Yorker "Shadow of the Vampire" is a gory and grandiose metaphor for the torments and sacrifices made, extracted, and endured in the name of art. Oct 19, 2019 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Vampire satire has some creepy moments. Rated: 3/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review David Edelstein Slate The screenplay, by Steven Katz, suffers from arch, almost unspeakably theatrical dialogue, and, as Murnau, John Malkovich recites his lines as if monomania were synonymous with monotonic: He drains the drama of blood. Sep 25, 2007 Full Review Chuck Klosterman Akron Beacon Journal Does this mean Shadow of the Vampire is good? Sort of. Does it means it's bad? Sometimes. But it's usually entertaining. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 28, 2023 Full Review Chris Phillips Out Magazine Catherine McCormack is an over-the-top delight as the neurotic object of Schreck's affection, and Dafoe, in a performance that's both skin-crawling and sympathetic, more than lives up to the prerelease hype. May 27, 2022 Full Review Jan Stuart The Advocate It’s a puerile premise, made even sillier by highfalutin dialogue and somnolent pacing that makes us wonder at times if they are pulling our leg or embalming a classic silent picture in the process of trying to emulate it. Apr 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alejandro E Including the cast, what can be most appreciated and appreciated about this film is how it combines reality and fiction, to show what could be the origin of the expressionist classic Nosferatu. As a curiosity, it's worth the effort. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/15/24 Full Review Alex L Great performance by Malkovitch and Dafoe Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/24 Full Review Lars N With a killer premise and poor execution this is the sort of movie they should remake. This movie has the potential to be so. much. better. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/04/24 Full Review DanTheMan 2 For any fan of Nosferatu, Shadow of the Vampire makes for an inspired diversion in an improbable blend of behind-the-scenes satire and art-house fright-fest. A gory and grandiose metaphor for the torments and sacrifices made, extracted and endured in the name of art. Borrowing the techniques of silent films, including the use of intertitles to explain elided action and iris lenses, E. Elias Merhige's direction is sublime in its respect for the era, managing to make the film equal parts frightening and surprisingly funny. Avoiding the pitfall of irony, Willem Dafoe, in a performance that's both skin-crawling and sympathetic, encapsulates the role of Nosferatu so perfectly that when real scenes from the silent classic are slipped into the frame, you don't notice a difference. A shame he hasn't landed the role in Robert Eggers' upcoming remake of the silent original, but I look forward to Bill Skarsgård's take all the same. Shining brightly as a labour of love, Shadow of the Vampire is a carefully crafted and wholly absorbing curiosity led by its outstanding performances that is more than worthy of your time, be you a fan of the original or not. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/29/23 Full Review Stephen C Fun little masterpiece of a movie. Underrated, I almost never hear it mentioned, and I love horror and I love these actors. I didn't know going on who would be the vampire or director, I just knew the premise and the two lead actors. They all did incredible, all the supporting actors too. What a movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/23 Full Review Elew G Great Cast. Great premise. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Shadow of the Vampire

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Shadow of the Vampire

Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - This Is Hardly Your Picture Any Longer Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - This Is Hardly Your Picture Any Longer 1:38 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - If It's Not in Frame, It Doesn't Exist Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - If It's Not in Frame, It Doesn't Exist 2:13 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - Finally Born Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - Finally Born 2:13 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - Blood! Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - Blood! 2:02 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - I'll Eat Her Later Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - I'll Eat Her Later 3:54 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - I Feed Erratically Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - I Feed Erratically 2:27 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - Are You Loaded? Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - Are You Loaded? 1:34 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - No Reflection Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - No Reflection 2:13 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - Meet Count Orlok Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - Meet Count Orlok 2:12 Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - It Made Me Sad Shadow of the Vampire: Official Clip - It Made Me Sad 2:28 View more videos

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Shadow of the Vampire

Catherine McCormack and Willem Dafoe. Udo Kier and John Malkovich. Eddie Izzard and Willem Dafoe. Willem Dafoe. Willem Dafoe. John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe. Catherine McCormack and Cary Elwes. Willem Dafoe and director Elias Merhige. John Malkovich. Shadow of the Vampire (2000) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis F. W. Murnau (John Malkovich) is struggling to create his silent classic "Nosferatu" on location in Eastern Europe. The director is obsessed with making this the most authentic vampire movie ever. To that end, Murnau has employed a real vampire, Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe), explaining to the crew that he is the ultimate of that new breed, the "method actor" -- trained by Stanislavsky himself. Schreck will appear only in character and only at night.
Director
E. Elias Merhige
Producer
Nicolas Cage, Jeff Levine
Screenwriter
Steven Katz
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Production Co
Saturn Films, Long Shot Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 26, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$8.3M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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