How ‘Nosferatu’ Inspired The Harkonnens in Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’
While audiences are still reeling from Austin Butler’s chilling portrayal of Feyd-Rautha in ‘Dune: Part Two,’ some may wonder where Denis Villeneuve found his visual inspiration for the Harkonnens. In ‘The Art and Soul of Dune: Part Two,’ Villeneuve revealed to authors Tanya Lapointe and Stefanie Broos that he envisioned the Harkonnens as “a crowd of nosferatu,” drawing from the iconic horror figure created by F.W. Murnau in the 1922 silent film ‘Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.’
‘Nosferatu,’ inspired by Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula,’ tells the story of Count Orlok (Max Schreck), a vampire who lures Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) to his castle in Transylvania under the pretence of buying property near Hutter’s home. As Hutter races back to protect his wife Ellen (Greta Schroeder), Orlok smuggles himself onto a ship in a coffin, continuing his deadly pursuit until he is inadvertently destroyed by sunlight.
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The eerie, shadowy world of ‘Nosferatu’ influenced the design of the Harkonnens’ home planet, Giedi Prime, with their sinister appearance and animalistic movements echoing Nosferatu’s timeless horror.
F.W. Murnau, a key figure in German Expressionism, crafted films that delved into the human condition’s darker aspects. ‘Nosferatu’ is particularly notable for its Gothic roots and unsettling imagery, such as Count Orlok’s stiff, puppet-like movements, long, curling fingernails, unblinking eyes, and ghastly grin. The film’s most disturbing scenes often involve Orlok’s shadow, which creeps upstairs or through doorways, evoking a sense of dread.
‘Nosferatu’ has profoundly impacted the vampire genre, influencing films like Werner Herzog’s 1979 remake ‘Nosferatu the Vampyre,’ Gary Oldman’s portrayal in 1992’s ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula,’ and Petyr from Taika Waititi’s 2014 mockumentary ‘What We Do in the Shadows.’ These depictions share the distinctive pale, menacing features of Murnau’s Orlok, setting them apart from their human counterparts.
Although ‘Dune: Part Two’ isn’t a vampire film, the Harkonnens function as predatory villains similar to vampires, seeking to dominate others, with Feyd-Rautha being particularly malevolent. Villeneuve’s vision for Giedi Prime drew from horror movies, with the planet’s monochromatic aesthetic and sinister atmosphere reflecting the influence of Gothic literature. Austin Butler, in preparing for his role, imagined Feyd-Rautha growing up in a culture of cruelty, viewing violence as necessary for survival.
Cinematographer Greig Fraser enhanced the horror of Giedi Prime by shooting the outdoor arena scene in black-and-white with an infrared camera, emphasizing the planet’s starkness and otherworldly feel. This choice not only sets Giedi Prime apart visually but also nods to the traditional depiction of vampires as nocturnal creatures fearing the sun. The Harkonnens’ bald, half-dead appearance directly references ‘Nosferatu,’ with their pale, hairless skin and sadistic nature.
Butler studied animal behaviour, particularly sharks and snakes, for his performance, evident in his predatory gaze and unpredictable movements. Editor Joe Walker described the first infrared shots of Butler as terrifying, highlighting his thin, translucent skin and visible vein structure. Villeneuve wanted the Harkonnens to be strikingly different from earlier portrayals, emphasizing their brutal aesthetic minimalism and hairlessness.
Beyond ‘Dune,’ ‘Nosferatu’s’ influence persists, with Robert Eggers’ upcoming adaptation starring Bill Skarsgård, Nicolas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, and Willem Dafoe, set to release on December 25th. Skarsgård, known for horror roles like Pennywise in ‘It,’ will play Count Orlok, with Hoult and Depp as Thomas and Ellen Hutter.
– Farheen Ali
