Nosferatu made its cinematic debut on December 25, 2024, reviving the essence of the iconic 1922 silent film of the same name. At the center of both versions is Count Orlok, a nobleman whose transformation into a vampire serves as the story’s haunting premise. While Max Schreck famously brought this character to life in the original, it is Bill Skarsgård who embodies Orlok in Robert Eggers’ most recent project.
The original Nosferatu serves as an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. However, Eggers opted to retell the Nosferatu story distinctly rather than directly adapt Dracula. Interestingly, although the title of this film references a character, it does not strictly align with the name of its titular vampire. This misconception was partly popularized by a Nickelodeon series. In a 2002 episode of SpongeBob SquarePants, the character Count Orlok is humorously referred to as “Nosferatu.”
The SpongeBob Connection to Count Orlok
The Graveyard Shift Episode Delivers a Nosferatu Punchline
In Season 2, Episode 36A titled “Graveyard Shift,”which aired in 2002, SpongeBob SquarePants delivers a comedic yet spooky narrative. The episode unfolds as Squidward crafts a frightening tale about the Hash-Slinging Slasher, leading to eerie events, including flickering lights, attributed to none other than Count Orlok. SpongeBob and his friends comically refer to him as “Nosferatu,”further entrenching the name in young viewers’ minds.
The absence of Orlok’s name from the dialogue means that children unfamiliar with the original film might mistakenly believe that “Nosferatu”is the character’s actual name. The reference to Count Orlok recurs throughout the SpongeBob series, maintaining the same misattribution.
Understanding the Meaning of Nosferatu
Nosferatu: A Term for Vampire
While “Nosferatu”is not the official name of Count Orlok, the term carries significant meaning. According to SyFy, “nosferatu”is derived from archaic Romanian and translates to “vampire.”There are also suggestions that it may connect to the Romanian expression for “offensive one,”which is “nesuferitu.”In Eggers’ recent rendition of Nosferatu, a character named Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz, played by Willem Dafoe, refers to Orlok as the nosferatu, solidifying this connection.
Robert Eggers’ Thoughts on SpongeBob’s Nosferatu Reference
Eggers Appreciates SpongeBob’s Role in Introducing Orlok to a New Generation
Although SpongeBob SquarePants does not accurately use Count Orlok’s name, it successfully introduces a new generation of children to the character and the lore surrounding Nosferatu. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Eggers expressed his appreciation for how this beloved children’s show opens the door for young viewers to engage with classic horror characters.
Eggers reflected on his experiences, noting that he encountered classic films like Lon Chaney’s Phantom of the Opera and Cyrano de Bergerac through similar childhood programming, similar to how SpongeBob presents Orlok. This generational bridging through entertainment fosters an appreciation for cinematic history, a sentiment Eggers is keen to celebrate. “That weird cartoon gave me a lot of exposure to movies I later enjoyed,” he stated, thanking the series for its unintended education.
Sources: SyFy, The Hollywood Reporter