Flashback Friday Remembers Vampires From A Queer Perspective

December 27, 2024
HANK ORSO

Okay, so why is yer boy Hank here writing what seems to be a post about Halloween and horror films? Well, I'll tell ya. Because one of the most anticipated films of the year, especially for horror film buffs, isn't Wicked after all! It's the Robert Eggers remake of the 1922 classic Nosferatu by German expressionist master F. W. Murnau. "But Hank, why is this important now?" Well, I'll tell ya again. Because gays love their vampires, and tomorrow is Murnau's birthday, born December 28th, 1888. Also, Murnau was gay.

The remake first came to light back in 2015, and horror fans like myself have been waiting on pins and needles for it to finally see the light of day (vampiric pun intended!). Eggers, who previously directed 2015's stunning The Witch with Anya Taylor-Joy, The Lighthouse (2019) which starred Willem Dafoe who also costars in this, and the Medieval fleshfest take on the Hamlet story The Northman (2022).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ScreamQueensPodcast (@screamqueenspodcast)

Also, let's just be honest, Eggers is a bit of a dark lord cutie!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by L.A. Times Entertainment (@latimes_entertainment)

Oh yeah, vampires and Murnau. The German filmmaker created his most famous film in 1922, basically singlehandedly cementing the artistry of German Expressionism in film. While he wasn't the only one doing so, other films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and M while popular and groundbreaking haven't had the long-lasting cultural appeal as Nosferatu. I personally can't think of a more indelible horror film image than that of its main baddie Count Orlok's shadow:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by সমরেন্দ্র নাড়ু (@samarandranaru)

Murnau, a member of Germany's fighter pilots during WWI experienced combat in the Eastern Front and later as a fighter pilot during his time in service, as did the film's producer Albin Grau. It is believed that these experiences, and the state of Germany in general at the time, contributed to the mood and tone of the shadow-heavy film.

So what is it about vampires that draws some of us gays to them? Sure, post-Anne Rice there's the supposed beauty and "glamor" of what has become stereotypical vampire representations as sexy European dandies living their best lives. A more recent generation, raised on the Twilight books and movies, saw even younger representation with more sexual proclivities.

But Max Schreck as Murnau's Count was no sex symbol, not by any stretch of the imagination!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by the classics (@classic.age)

For many of us, the theme of The Other is a strong draw, and certainly one which Murnau, as a relatively out gay man, especially after he relocated to Hollywood later in his career, would understand. The dark, creative force standing outside of society's bright glare, looking in, looking for love. This is a common theme in many versions of Dracula, on which this film is based. We have a heart that aches and reaches out, only to be shunned and vilified.

Speaking of that bright glare, it was in Murnau's film that first gave us the idea that vampires can be killed by sunlight. Orlock meets his demise in a puff of smoke after drinking blood from the woman he desires and she tricks him into staying up all night to greet the sun. Sure, a discomfort with the sun is mentioned in the novel Dracula but it's in Nosferatu that we get this iconic element.

Memes, jokes, and references in other pop culture fare have been a mainstay, especially since the internet came of age.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gothic & Witchy Vibes (@childrenofthenight9)

Hell, even Spongebob Squarepants got into the joke in one episode!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VANTA BLK (@vantablkldn)

Some have tried to tag a theme of anti-semitism popular at the time in Germany onto Orlock. With his rat-like face, long nose, high clipped ears, and long fingers, Orlock resembles the anti-Jewish propaganda imagery of the time. In addition, his association with disease-bearing rats spreading pestilence upon his arrival was a theme given to Jews in Europe, that of invading hoards spreading their customs through a new land. These are discounted, of course, given Murnau's homosexuality and propensity for alliance with "others" and his friendship with Jewish actor Alexander Granach who plays "Knock," Orlock's realtor, in the film.

Murnau's commercial success lay mostly just with Nosferatu. The film was the production company's sole output, having been sued by the wife and estate of Dracula writer Bram Stoker for copyright infringement and went bankrupt. Upon his arrival in America, though several of his films outright disappeared, his 1927 film Sunrise is considered by many modern critics to be one of the greatest films ever made, earning several top accolades at the Academy Awards.

Nosferatu, Murnau's greatest achievement, remains after one hundred years, a powerful cultural influence. It pops up in the most unlikely of places as well as being remade on the big screen a few times. (Besides Egger's recent remake, the 1979 Werner Herzog film Nosferatu the Vampyre is especially notable for having filmed two versions, one in which the actors spoke English and one in German!)

It's not the gayest of vampire movies, but it certainly set the standard from which all else is derived. You can draw from it whatever connections you wish.