An imaginatively twisted lesson in film history and a glorious gothic comedy-drama.
Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:132
Fresh:107
Rotten:25
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Shadow of the Vampire is frightening, compelling, and funny, and features an excellent performance by Willem Dafoe.
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: E. Elias Mehrige's Shadow of the Vampire explores the fictional premise that the star of director F.W. Murnau's 1922 German expressionist horror film, Nosferatu, was an actual vampire. When the... E. Elias Mehrige's Shadow of the Vampire explores the fictional premise that the star of director F.W. Murnau's 1922 German expressionist horror film, Nosferatu, was an actual vampire. When the dictatorial Murnau (John Malkovich) sets about filming his monster masterpiece, he makes a Faustian deal and enlists the grotesque, reclusive Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe) to play the rodentlike Count Orlok. Schreck proceeds to both horrify and fascinate the unwitting cast and crew---including producer Albin Grau (Udo Kier), actor Gustav von Wangenheim (Eddie Izzard), and actress Greta Schroeder (Catherine McCormack)--who, at first, believe Schreck is merely an eccentric actor. As the production continues, however, mysterious accidents and deaths begin to reveal why Schreck never gets any makeup. From its lavish opening sequence to Murnau's filming of the final scene, Mehrige's movie serves as a tribute not only to the original NOSFERATU but to the art of cinema itself. Because Murnau's project is a silent film, the overbearing director can coax and shout at his actors during the takes, making for some cleverly comical scenes. Although Malkovich, Izzard, and Kier are excellent in their roles, SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE could simply not exist without Dafoe's hideous and hilarious performance, which ranks among the finest of the versatile actor's career. [More]
Starring: John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Udo Kier, Cary Elwes
Starring: John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Udo Kier, Cary Elwes, Catherine McCormack, Eddie Izzard, Aden Gillett
Director: E. Elias Merhige
Director: E. Elias Merhige
Screenwriter: Steven Katz
Producer: Nicolas Cage
Composer: Dan Jones
Studio: Lions Gate Films
Reviews for Shadow of the Vampire
Intriguing, eccentric, sporadically entertaining tosh (but tosh all the same).
A brilliant idea and two enjoyably over-the-top central performances, but an ultimately disappointing one-joke movie.
Shadow of the Vampire might only play a few notes, but they're solid notes, expertly played.
This in-reference fest for frightfilm fans has enough chuckles and shudders even for those who’ve never heard of Nosferatu.
This is a dark, gothic, and creepy film with excellent performances from John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe.
... [I]f you like your horror thoughtful and provoking, this is your movie.
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.
Wholly absorbing and inspired in parts, this carefully crafted curio dares to suggest that Murnau made a Faustian pact with an actual vampire to play the title role in exchange for the neck of the film's leading lady at production's end.
At best, this is a dawdling, toothless riff on a vastly superior film. At worst, it's character assassination.
Through layers of makeup depicting the rat-faced, undead Schreck, a vampire who turns not into a bat but, worse, a demanding prima donna, Dafoe doesn't go over the top, though he does plant his flag at the summit.
In this cookie cutter movie world, it's nice to see the occasional move that doesn't quite fit into a specific genre or can't easily be classified.
What might have occurred during the filming of Nosferatu leaves one amused but confused about how much of Shadow is a spoof and how much is based in truth.
Latest News for Shadow of the Vampire
May 08, 2008:
Kim Newman on... Hotel
RT Obscura, the exclusive column by renowned critic Kim Newman, sees the writer plumbing the depths of the RT archive in search of some forgotten gems. In his 16th column, Kim... More...
October 30, 2006:
RT Top 20 Halloween Movie Countdown, Part Three
Only a day to go in our countdown of the Top 20 Halloween movies on RT -- do you know which scary movies broke the top 10 of our best-reviewed horror/suspense flicks? More...
October 21, 2005:
Clooney Prepares for "Wind Chill"
George Clooney's Section 8 shingle will produce a horror thriller entitled "Wind Chill," says Variety. "Criminal" director Gregory Jacobs will be behind the... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| 43% 43% | The Proposal |
| 26% 26% | Land of the Lost |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 67% 67% | The Merry Gentleman |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Shadow of the Vampire at Rotten Tomatoes
- Shadow of the Vampire at IGN
- Shadow of the Vampire at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

