Operatic collaborator contributes to Bill Skarsgård's chilling "vampire vocal" for Nosferatu film role
Bill Skarsgård's chilling portrayal of Count Orlok in the 2024 film Nosferatu is a testament to his dedication and creative voice mastery. The actor, known for his roles in Stranger Things and It, took a unique approach to embody the primal menace and unsettling horror of the character, distinguishing his portrayal from previous versions.
Skarsgård's vocal emissions were the result of deliberate, creative experimentation. He drew inspiration from opera, a genre known for its control and technical demands. The Icelandic opera singer Ásgerður Júníusdóttir played a crucial role in his training, offering advice such as "place the voice out of your forehead."
Skarsgård's vocal exercises involved focusing on rooting his voice deep in his body and using his entire body to make it resonate. He practiced Orlok's tone in his living room, building a 20-minute vocal routine and doing exercises between takes to maintain his deep voice.
Director Robert Eggers envisioned Count Orlok as a historically grounded Transylvanian nobleman, which influenced both the character’s physical presence and vocal identity. Skarsgård adapted this vision into his vocal performance, likely incorporating unusual timbres and modulations that evoke a haunting and nightmarish quality, aligning with the gothic and folk horror style of the movie.
Nosferatu, released in 2024, is a spooky gothic horror film that stars Bill Skarsgård. The film features menacing old buildings, terrifying prosthetics, and a right amount of intrigue. It is a remake of F. W. Murnau's 1922 silent film Nosferatu, which is itself inspired by Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula.
Vampire thrillers have been a mainstay of popular culture for centuries, with works such as Dracula and the Twilight series becoming immensely popular. What We Do in the Shadows, a mockumentary, has also been critically acclaimed. However, Nosferatu stands out for its unique approach and Skarsgård's unnerving, fear-inducing roar.
The release date of the 2024 Nosferatu film is 8 January 2025. Fans of horror and Skarsgård's work are eagerly awaiting the film, which promises to deliver a chilling experience.
Skarsgård's deep, haunting vocal performance in Nosferatu adds another layer of entertainment to the movie, which is part of the genre of movies-and-tv known as vampire thrillers. His unique approach to portraying Count Orlok, incorporating elements of opera and unusual timbres, sets his performance apart from previous versions.
