Bill Skarsgård reveals the intense process of transforming into Count Orlok for Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, a role that pushed him to his limits, both physically and emotionally.
Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers from Nosferatu.
A Dramatic Unveiling
Audiences were finally introduced to Skarsgård’s Count Orlok when Nosferatu premiered on Christmas Day, after months of secrecy surrounding the character’s design. The feared vampire makes an impression early on but is fully revealed later in the film when Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), a real estate agent trapped in Orlok’s castle, discovers his eerie client sleeping in a sarcophagus.
Crafting the Character Through Prosthetics
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Skarsgård discussed his transformation, which involved heavy prosthetics, a skeletal look, and a voice deepened by an entire octave. The process wasn’t easy. “I never felt like the character until I had everything on—full makeup and costume,” he recalled. A pivotal moment came during a second camera test, which marked the first time he truly felt he embodied Orlok. “There’s no audio, just the camera, candles, and me sitting in a chair. When the cameras were rolling, it all started coming alive.”
Director Robert Eggers affirmed Skarsgård’s transformation during the test, saying, “Yeah, there he is.” For Skarsgård, this acknowledgment was crucial. “It’s something you can’t force. Either it will come alive, or it won’t. Thankfully, it did.”
Designing Count Orlok
Eggers had a clear vision for Orlok, describing the vampire as less a traditional vampire and more of a lich—a type of undead sorcerer. Prosthetics makeup designer David White sculpted Orlok’s visage to achieve Eggers’ desired skeletal appearance: protruding cheekbones, decaying skin, and a signature mustache. Skarsgård noted that the design wasn’t meant to resemble his living self. “I didn’t look like this guy when he was alive, and that was the point.”
The Challenges of Prosthetics
Initially, Skarsgård struggled to see himself in the character. “There was a stage where I thought, ‘I look like the Grinch or a goblin.’” However, as the team perfected the prosthetics and coloring, everything clicked. Skarsgård used personal recordings to refine his portrayal, experimenting with lighting and facial expressions to capture Orlok’s essence.
Building the Voice
Beyond the physical transformation, Skarsgård worked with an opera coach to create Orlok’s haunting voice. He adopted a low, gravelly tone filled with rolled Rs and a deliberate, Transylvanian cadence. This collaborative process involved workshopping ideas with Eggers, sharing references, and honing the character’s speech.
Immersing in Isolation
To maintain Orlok’s otherworldly presence, Skarsgård often stayed isolated during production. Eggers encouraged this separation to help him embody the immortal sorcerer. “You’re playing someone who died at 50 and is now an immortal creature. You need to maintain that distance on set,” Eggers explained. Skarsgård’s intense focus and chilling transformation created a palpable tension on set, making him an intimidating presence.
A Career of Monsters
Skarsgård credited his breakout role as Pennywise the Clown in It (2017) for preparing him to tackle such challenging roles. “Pennywise was the biggest leap at the time, but Orlok is an even bigger one,” he said. The experience taught him how to channel abstract, monstrous characters and navigate the physical demands of prosthetics.
A Living Nightmare
Eggers’ vision, Skarsgård’s dedication, and the prosthetics team’s artistry combined to bring Count Orlok to life in Nosferatu. For Skarsgård, the transformation was as much about mastering the physicality and voice as it was about embracing the loneliness and complexity of an immortal being.
As Skarsgård himself put it, “Either this will come alive, or it won’t.” Fortunately for audiences, it did—with chilling success.
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