Color grading analysis: Nosferatu (2024)

Recently I went to the theatre to watch a horror drama I have been anticipating for quite a while. A remake to the classic Nosferatu made by Robert Eggers. One of the first ever films to feature a vampire, an inspiration to the character of Dracula and a revolutionary film on its own. Recently I realized that color grading is an important aspect of film as it can make the video look much more interesting. So, while I watched this film, I thought I should analyze how it uses color grading technique as it really enhanced my experience. My analysis is mostly based on memory and footage that is available online as it is not released digitally yet. I’m writing not too long ago since I watched the film, only an hour ago I left the theatre. 

The color grading is at the forefront of designing the film's dark and atmospheric aesthetic. The film perfectly captures the visual essence of 19th-century Romanticism while respecting the original 1922 silent movie.

Although, desaturation is used to make a scene duller, it has the opposite effect here. The film was shot on 35mm color stock but has a self-consciously desaturated look, nearly monochrome. This is a stylistic choice that references the ghostly color palette of silent films, namely the tinted versions of the original Nosferatu, which used blue, pink, and sepia hues to evoke different moods and times of day. By limiting bright colors, the film immerses viewers in a world that is both timeless and otherworldly.

In research of this task, I looked at a variety article, discussing about the cinematographer of the film, Jarin Blaschke and how he used a special technique that greatly amplify the the visuals. To produce realistically moonlit landscapes, Blaschke employed a specialist filtering method. He used a short pass filter that removed red wavelengths and passed only the light that is visible to the human eye in low-lighting environments through to the film. Not only did this technique enhance realism in night scenes, but it also assisted the general desaturated aesthetic of the film. 

Natural light sources of the 19th century are ever-present, such as moonlight, fire, and candlelight. It contributed to the immersive and historically authentic quality of the film.

 Despite the film being in color, the look is a conscious reference to the silent film era. The use of high-contrast, elaborate production design, and thoughtful color grading all contribute to that spooky, shadow-filled appearance characteristic of vintage horror cinema. The stylistic choice of crossing old and new in this way is a risky reimagining that remains faithful to its roots. 

Briefly put, Nosferatu (2024)'s color grading is an expression of the filmmakers' dedication to crafting a visually cohesive and thematically rich piece of work. Employing desaturation, expert filtering, and a focus on natural lighting, the movie constructs an eerie visual narrative that is respectful of its filmic heritage but a distinct piece of work in contemporary horror films.