Shadow of the Vampire

Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

  • 81% of critics liked it
    (135 reviews)

  • 69% of users liked it
    (24,240 ratings)

The torturous production of the classic 1922 vampire film Nosferatu is recreated in this stylized account of director F.W. Murnau and his obsession with creating realistic horror by any means necessary -- even if those means include actual bloodletting. The film begins as Murnau (John Malkovich) is… More

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R,
Directed By
Written By
Steven Katz
Genres
Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense
In Theaters
Dec 29, 2000 Wide
Lions Gate Releasing

Critic Reviews

  • 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.

  • Todd McCarthy, Variety

    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.

  • Geoff Andrew, Time Out

    Intriguing, eccentric, sporadically entertaining tosh (but tosh all the same).

  • Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

    It's a marvelous, resonant joke that never quite succeeds: Stretches of the film resemble a Dario Argento horrorfest crossed with a Mel Brooks spoof.

  • Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

    Out of such dizzying layers of (un)reality, some sublime films have emerged. Nosferatu was one of them, and this is not -- but, c'mon, credit it with the old college try, a pretty decent effort.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Samuel R


    If there is a good reason to watch this film, then it's Willem Dafoe's spine shivering performance. From his body language and disturbing smile, to his maniacal voice, Dafoe delivers a performance that shouldn't be forgotten very easily. There was a particular scene… More

  • Sophie B


    Not quite sure what to think of this one. At some parts it's extremely interesting but at other times I feel I'm watching a film written by a 5 year old, especially towards the end. I don't really know what it's trying to say. A good cast and an intriguing look… More

  • Aditya G


    Year 1921: German director Frederich Wilhelm Murnau set out to make a film on Bram Stoker's famous Vampire fiction, "Dracula". He however failed to acquire the rights to use the novel's story. Unwilling to give up on the project, Murnau made a few changes here… More

  • Tim S


    Quirky and well acted but a bit slow at times.

  • Conner R


    Willem Dafoe's deranged performance as Max Shreck is completely worth this movie. However, it is actually a very good movie in itself. I loved the remade shots of Nosferatu, they are incredibly dead on. While the filming style is a little sub-par, it is a minor drawback.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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