Nosferatu 2025 Ending Explained

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2025) is a creepy reimagining of the 1922 German silent horror film, which was an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. With a talented cast, the movie showcases the director's signature blend of atmospheric tension, historical setting, and psychological dread. Below, we explore the key plot points and mainly the movie’s ending.

This article contains Nosferatu (2025) spoilers.

Short Final Act Overview

Count Orlok (played by Bill Skarsgård) is a vampire who awakens from his eternal slumber to pursue Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), a woman whose beauty and purity captivate him. Orlok arrives with a devastating plague, brought on by the rats infesting his ship, and uses this threat to manipulate Ellen into giving herself to him. He gives her exactly 3 days to surrender.

Ellen, torn between her love for her husband Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) and her desire to save the town and her loved ones, discovers through ancient texts that the only way to defeat Orlok and the plague is for her to willingly offer herself to him. Over three harrowing nights, Orlok eliminates those closest to Ellen. The climax unfolds with Ellen making the ultimate sacrifice, exposing Orlok to sunlight.

Ending Explained

The story doesn't have a happy ending, much like the original film. In the final act, Ellen dons a wedding dress and allows Orlok to feast on her, fulfilling his deepest desire. She's keeping him distracted as dawn breaks, and he doesn't notice the sunlight as he's feeding on her. The sunlight burns Orlok alive, leaving only a dry corpse. Ellen dies in Thomas’s arms moments after he arrives. Her sacrifice saves the town from the plague and the vampire’s curse.

This ending ties back to a prophetic dream Ellen had early in the film, where she saw herself marrying death with only corpses in attendance. It's also important to note that she dies being held by both Orlok and Thomas, much like she lived her life.

Conclusion

Eggers’ Nosferatu is a dark story of love, passion, sacrifice, and horror. With memorable performances, striking visuals, and a compelling narrative, it's a standout horror films in 2025. If you’re looking for a haunting cinematic experience, this film is worth your time.