Originally published at National Catholic Register
A silent horror film with a spiritual lesson? The sacramental meaning hidden in Nosferatu is worth a closer look.
The original Nosferatu (1922) remains a pillar in the history of cinema, a silent masterpiece that laid the groundwork for its genre. A century later, it continues to captivate audiences, earning it a place on the Vatican’s list of significant films. With renewed attention following its 2024 remake, now is a fitting time to revisit the silent-era classic that reminds us — even in the darkest tales — the light is never truly overcome.
Nosferatu — an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, Dracula — was directed by German director F.W. Murnau and is considered a high mark of the German Expressionist movement.
Watching the old film today feels a bit like watching an ancient relic from long ago, which is fitting, considering it is more than 100 years old. These qualities likely contributed to Nosferatu’s inclusion on the Vatican’s list of “Some Important Films” — commonly called the Vatican Film List — curated in 1995 during St. John Paul II’s papacy to mark the centenary of cinematography.
Nosferatu is in good company among the other films
