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Comparison between the theatrical version and the extended version, both included on the American 4K UHD/Blu-ray set from Universal
- 7 changes
Nosferatu (2024), directed by Rogert Eggers (The Northman, The Lighthouse), is an interesting reinterpretation of the silent film classic Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, which is loosely based on Bram Stoker's Dracula. The main character, played by Johnny Depp's daughter Lily-Rose Depp, is clearly in the foreground, but the scenes with Bill Skarsgård, who gives his name to the film, are no less effective. A respectable box office result of over 170 million US dollars was achieved on the big screen – even though a longer version for home cinema was promised shortly after the theatrical release. In the USA the film was first released VOD end of January and since February 18, 2025, a Blu-ray and 4K UHD release with both versions is available which allowed us to take a closer look at the differences. After during test screenings originally a much longer 3-hour version was shown, it soon became clear that the extended version of the 132-minute theatrical cut of the film is ultimately only just over 4 minutes longer. In an interview, Eggers himself said that the longer version would mainly contain a few dialogue scenes with Willem Dafoe's character (Prof. Albin Eberhart, played by Franz) about vampire theories. “It's mostly more Willem Dafoe talking about vampire theories. There's some other cool stuff in there as well. But I'd say that it's mainly more Willem Dafoe.”
Three new scenes actually let Dafoe tell a little more. Admittedly, it's not all that exciting. In another scene, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, as Friedrich Hardin, somewhat counters him. Beyond that, there are two more extensions in which Count Orlok or Nosferatu makes further comments. And last but not least, a completely irrelevant mini-extension of 4 seconds at the beginning of a shot without dialogue. That's about it. So no fundamentally different version of the film and if you don't know it yet, you should go straight for the extended version - but in the end it doesn't make too much of a difference. By the way, there are three more deleted scenes in the bonus material, but we won't go into them here.
Runtime times are arranged according to the scheme 17:50 / 17:50-17:54
Thomas walking towards the archway can be seen a little earlier. 3.9 sec
31:49 / 31:53-32:52 Orlok's comment already deviates in the last two seconds of the previous shot of Thomas, and in the extended version Orlok then goes into even more detail with ominous anecdotes that further contextualize his ritual: “Yesternight was but the eve of their Szent András. Our common people say it is the darkest witching night, when devil's magic bids the wolf to speak with tongues of men. And every nightmare treads upon this earth, ascendant from the torturous grave.” In between, you can see the frightened Thomas several times. Finally, Orlok laughs evilly and snorts again before both versions run in synch again with his “I fear we yet keep close...” (which in the theatrical cut had already begun two seconds earlier). Extended Cut 58.7 sec longer
70:25 / 71:27-71:53 After Prof. Albin's statement “Demons like them, they seek them out” there is more dialog in which Albin clarifies this. Anna: “How mean you?” Albin: “They can discover their victims from across mountains, great oceans.” Dr. Wilhelm: “Those with lower animal functions?” Albin: “Yes. Hysterics, children, lunatics. Eh, which reminds me, Sievers, you must introduce me to your madman tomorrow.” Wilhelm: “Yes, of course, but I...” Albin: “Somnambulists afflicted with these perversions often possess a gift: a second sight into the borderland.” In the theatrical cut, the previous shot is a handful of frames longer. Extended Cut 25.2 sec longer
81:18 / 82:45-83:58 Another scene with Albin, who reflects on leeches and then discusses the effects/origin of the plague with Wilhelm. Albin: “Gnathobdela. The common leech. Its sole impulse is to feed on what even Mephistopheles called ‘the most especial nectar’. Look at her drink. Sievers?” Friedrich: ”Please, Professor, what is all this?” Albin: “The plague is present in its most rapidly fatal form, Pestis siderans. A savage infection of the blood. Certainly you've read Glaser's treatise on the pestilent revenants of the eastern frontiers of the Habsburg Empire?” Wilhelm: “That has long been proven to be a degrading peasant superstition.” Albin: “Is our leech a superstition?” Wilhelm: “No, but leeches do not rise from the grave, my dear professor.” Albin: “Please, Sievers, please. Explain Glaser's account.” Wilhelm: “A plague ravaged the countryside. The alleged cause: a walking corpse that maintained some semblance of life by feeding on the heart blood of the living. Every victim succumbed to death.” 72.1 sec (= 1:12 min)
95:54 / 98:34-98:50 Albin discusses the origin of Nosferatu and how to deal with him with Friedrich at the beginning of the scene. Albin: “Our Nosferatu is of an especial malignancy. He is an arch-enchanter, Solomonari, Satan's old learned disciple.” Friedrich: “What say you?” Albin: “Further elucidation leads only to insanity. Hence the misfortune of Herr Knock's descent.” 15.6 sec
97:17-97:18 / 100:13-100:25 Friedrich expresses his unease for longer and attacks Albin: “Jesus Christ in heaven! This isn't a satanic magician! Or any other humiliating fantasy! It's no wonder you're a laughingstock.” In the theatrical version, the following shot, in which Friedrich, Albin and Wilhelm walk by, begins a little earlier for continuity reasons. Extended Cut 11.4 sec longer
104:35 / 107:42-108:03 The camera pans through the bedrooms starting with Friedrich in the theatrical version. In the extended version, it starts earlier next door with Ellen and Thomas. Orlock makes a first comment, pointing out the significance of the third/last night. Ellen has her eyes wide open. 21.4 sec
The credits roll a little slower in the extended version and at the very end (illustrated by 131:59 / 135:31), an MPA notice has been removed here between the IMAX logo and the acknowledgements to the partners in the Czech Republic.
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