Since his debut film, has consistently released strikingly dark, atmospheric films that have distinguished him as one of the greatest contemporary directors. Each of Egger's films has a visually arresting, nightmarish quality that makes them immediately recognizable as one of his unique works: stunning cinematography coupled with gorgeous framing, expressionist lighting, and profoundly written stories that blend horror with folklore in haunting harmony to bring his visions to life. Of course, the cherry on top of these incredible films is the astounding performances of the cast members.

With only four impressive films to his name, Eggers has enjoyed a career of consistently captivating films with impeccable performances. 's snarling performance as the grisly and vengeful Viking prince, Amleth, saw the actor at his most primal in a role that was forcefully captivating, and 'srecent role as Ellen Hutter in was a transfixing tour-de-force that left audiences in a cold rapture. based on their memorability, intensity, and how well they fit their narratives.

Egger's debut film, , is a folk horror film set in the 1630s that follows the story of a Puritan family tormented by evil forces in the nearby woods, which ultimately drives them to turn against each other. The Witch featured remarkable performances from , , and .

Scrimshaw's performance as Caleb in one of the scariest arthouse horror films was an impressive feat for the young actor, who appears fully immersed in the character. This remarkably expressive performance , which features Scrimshaw vehemently rocking and swaying back and forth while howling in pain just before proclaiming his love for Christ and suddenly passing away. and would've been impressive had it been delivered by any actor with the same passion and authenticity. However, Scrimshaw's work at such a young age only , making it all the more captivating.

Egger's most recent film, Nosferatu, is a remake of the 1922 film, , which itself was inspired by 'sclassic vampire novel, Dracula. The film follows an engaged couple who are terrorized by a malevolent vampire named Count Orlok (). Egger's take on the classic film is an atmospheric masterpiece with arguably his most beautiful cinematography to date.

In one of the best Gothic horror films,delivers a phenomenal performance as the tortured Thomas Hutter, who travels to Orlok's spooky castle. Hoult's discomfort and horror are brilliantly expressed throughout the entirety of the performance, especially during his encounter with the Count. As he sits at the table, , viewers get the sense that this is a man on the precipice of a terror-induced heart attack. Hoult is truly selling it in this scene while Orlok's ubiquitous voice and presenceflood it with a palpable terror. Hoult's outright horror and confusion are at their absolute zenith during his whirlwind scene with Depp, who goes into a set of convulsions and reveals her murky history with Orlok.

Prior to The Witch, was known for the role of Amycus Carrow in the final three Harry Potter films, as well as roles in (UK) and . At 6'3'', he's a towering actor with a deep, recognizable voice that commands authority. In his role as William in The Witch, Ineson plays the stubborn and prideful patriarch of a puritan family terrorized by malevolent forces from a nearby forest, a role that had substantially more gravitas than his previous ones.

The Witch is one of the best historical horror movies, and Ineson's performance as William is an intensely captivating display that's. As William's entire family implodes around him, his stubborn convictions prevent him from resolving this horrific calamity. William is depicted as a frustratingly prideful individual whose convictions lead him to believe that the punishments they all endure are God's way of testing them. What makes this performance so spectacular is that, despite this belief, William seems to know on some level that it's his pride and inflexibility that contribute to the demise of his family, a detail that he acknowledges right before his death. Ineson does a phenomenal job of with his powerful and commanding performance; the stubbornness of his character is made manifest in the aggressive and laborious way he chops wood, and his rising anger regarding the futility of his situation is expressed by the contentious way he treats his children.

is an epic action drama film based on the legend of Amleth from Gesta Danorum by . The film follows the revenge story of Viking prince Amleth (Skarsgård), who is forced to leave his kingdom after his father is suddenly slain by his uncle. The Northman is a thrilling film that finds Eggers bringing his signature style to a film genre that he hadn't previously explored.

gives an impressive performance as Amleth's duplicitous mother, Queen Gudrún. Throughout, audiences believe that Gudrún was taken captive against her will after her husband's demise at the hands of his traitorous brother, and Kidman does a spectacular job of playing the loving and supportive queen who cares for her husband. But it's only during the second half of the film when Amleth finally confronts his mother and tells her of his plan to rescue her that she reveals that she was behind the betrayal all along and would've also killed him had she had the chance. Kidman gives a , who completely turns Amleth's world upside down. Her cold, sinister laughter and sickening attempt at seducing her son are in stark contrast to the loving and caring qualities she expresses earlier in the film.

Because Skarsgård's fascination with Viking history and Nordic mythology came at an early age, given his Swedish roots, he was a natural fit for the role of Amleth, the vengeful Viking prince. Skarsgård's menacing portrayal of Amleth as he hacks and howls his way toward vengeance in Egger's brutal third film. The first scene he appears in finds Amleth leading a group of Vikings on a ruthless siege on a village as he scales the walls and slaughters everything in his path.

Skarsgård is believably intimidating in his role as the blood-and-dirt-covered warrior prince, and his physically demanding performance that finds him tactically moving through the village is complemented by focused cinematography. Throughout the film, Amleth is driven by a burning thirst for vengeance that Skarsgård conveys through a fixed, . Amleth's entire demeanor is intimidating; there isn't a single frame in the film in which Skarsgård doesn't convey this threatening presence without perfect execution. Without a doubt, The Northman is one of Skarsgård's best performances.

Prior to starring as the lead in Eggers' debut feature film, Taylor-Joy enjoyed minor roles in and . But her breakthrough performance as Tommasin in The Witch truly catapulted her into the public's eye and showcased her exceptional talent as an actor. In what's widely considered one of the greatest horror films of the 2010s, Taylor-Joy delivers a performance that fully captures the agonizing emotional roller-coaster her character has to endure as she and her family are terrorized by the curse of a malevolent witch.

Taylor-Joy's way of with every new challenge and abuse hurled at her translates extremely well to audiences, and the final catharsis she embraces at the end of the film feels genuine and earned. This early performance illustrated Taylor-Joy's ability to ; she goes from feeling helpless and afraid amidst the chaos to manically embracing it. With such a stellar performance, it's no wonder she would go on to work with Eggers again.

During the early development of Nosferatu, several talents were initially considered for the menacing role of Count Orlok, including and . While Skarsgård was initially considered for the role of Thomas Hutter, it wasn't until after the pandemic that he was recast as the malevolent Count Orlok, a crucial decision that would bring the film to new soaring heights.

Skarsgård's role as Count Orlok was marked by its dark, haunting, and foreboding presence, and he imbued the character with a forbidding and compelling quality. Skarsgård seemed to, much like he did when he played Pennywise. What's perhaps the best quality of this performance is Skarsgård's impressive voice work. To prepare for his role, Skarsgård refused to have his voice digitally altered and instead dedicated himself to training with Icelandic opera singer , who helped him , while also incorporating Mongolian throat chant singing into his lines. The result was , and his death remains one of the most visually striking scenes in the director's filmography.

has come a long way from the saga. Acclaimed performances in 's , 'sdebut , and ' established Pattinson as a monumental talent. If there remained any question regarding his acting and whether he could divorce himself from Edward Cullen, they were finally put to rest with his performance as Ephraim Winslow, a "wickie" who slowly begins to lose his mind, in .

Pattinson manages to in his character to such incredible effect that the performance has strong echoes of Daniel Day-Lewis' work in There Will Be Blood. Pattinson's portrayal of his character's complete psychological unraveling is delivered with a raw, feral intensity that continues to increase at a staggering pace as the film unfolds. Pattinson's physicality and unflinching vulnerability give his performance a searing sense of veracity that feels unsettling throughout. Through sheer force of will, Pattinson and Eggers ensured The Lighthouse would not suffer from the dreaded sophomore slump.

Depp was not initially viewed as a serious contender for the role of Ellen Hutter. Casting Director Kharmel Cochrane hadn't seen any work by her that was convincing enough to cast her in Nosferatu, but after witnessing her jaw-dropping audition, Cochrane would go on to text an apology to Depp for not taking her seriously. Depp shocked and captivated audiences with her frenetic performance as Ellen and proved she had the chops to play the part.

Depp's work is marked by a staggering intensity and transfixing quality that snatches the audience by the throat with ruthless abandon. She ensures viewers can feel the visceral horror that Ellen endures by giving a profoundly physical performance that especially shines during scenes of manic possession. Her writhing, shaking, and contorting are shocking, and her expressive acting style is both convincing and haunting. Depp's ability to convey Ellen's descent into psychological turmoil makes it difficult to manage another actor in this memorable role, and her tortured performance, marked by a frustrated futility and sense of helplessness, is perfectly complemented by Skarsgård's imposing take on the chilling Count Orlok. In retrospect, Depp should've been an obvious Oscar contender.

Willem Dafoe consistently delivers exceptionally unique performances that completely capture the attention of viewers. It's probably due to his history in theater that Dafoe manages to bring a colorful and energetic energy that seems to effortlessly become the focus of every scene. Although he's collaborated with Eggers on three films, his role as Thomas Wake in The Lighthouse best exemplifies his singular talent. Dafoe gives a towering, unhinged masterclass in theatricality in the role of a 19th-century sea-damned former sailor who delivers each line with charm and Shakespearean weight.

Dafoe's effortless command of the period-authentic language and his commitment to the role's physical brutality imbue this performance with mesmerizing appeal; in fact, he's so good that it's difficult to accept that Thomas Wake is not a real-life person. Whether he's furiously chastising Ephraim or amusingly farting through dinner, Dafoe seamlessly swings from one extreme to the next. There's a certain glint in Dafoe's eyes throughout that locks the attention of viewers and elevates every scene he's in. While Dafoe has played some of the most memorable characters in film history, Thomas Wake remains one of the best of his career and easily the best in any Eggers film. With such a stupendous performance, it's no wonder The Lighthouse is considered the best Eggers film.

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