A young, ambitious estate agent (Nicholas Hoult) ignores the superstitious locals’ advice and enters Count Orlok’s Carpathian castle, soon realizing his mistake. While waiting at home for his return in plague-ridden Wisborg, his lovely wife (Lily-Rose Depp) starts to have strange, psycho-sexual dreams about the creepy count, a being of pure evil that has become obsessed with the young woman.

This is one for those who like their horror gothic. Very, very gothic. Writer/director Robert Eggers has nicely blended elements of Bram Stoker’s original 1897 Dracula with F.W. Murnau’s (unauthorized) 1922 silent-film adaptation and added his own inimical innovations in sumptuous detail.

But Eggers’s most effective decisions are in the casting. The vampire is brilliantly played by Bill Skarsgard, who’s no stranger to creepy characters (he was the sewer-dwelling clown Pennywise in It). Egger regular Willem Dafoe demonstrates great range as an occult expert who steps in when the count arrives in Germany and starts making macabre mischief.

But the biggest takeaway is the stunning performance by Depp. She frequently manages to eclipse even Skarsgard, which is no easy manner. Jonny’s kid was born to play this sensuous, physically demanding part.

This is Egger’s best film to date, and that’s saying something. Remember this is the guy behind such viscerally ethereal films as The Witch, The Northman and The Lighthouse. If you’re on his vibe, you have a major gothic treat in store. (132 min)

Out in theatres now.

Can’t get enough of horror movies? Head to our articles 10 Japanese Horror Movies to Watch and The Top 10 Japanese Movies Of All Time to find your next watch.