Great analysis, I think you nailed it. I think the entire film should be interpreted very much as a sort of living dream/nightmare and the Jungian lens is, I think, encouraged strongly by the film itself via (among other things) the Defoe character, who blends the role of psychologist and alchemist much like Jung himself did. That character is not in the original Nosferatu film, so it is an Eggers addition and naming him Von Franz (rather than Van Helsing perhaps) further connects him with the Jungian world, as a reference to Marie Louise Von Franz. Eggers has shown with his previous films that there is no boundary for him between normal reality and the world of dreams and magic- these things always overlap freely in his films. When I left the film, my friends were confused by the disturbing and odd ending- I interpreted it as a victory as Ellen finally embraces the shadow/animus figure and overcomes the shame she talks about earlier in the film. Interpreting the film as a dream or psychodrama, the individual ego Ellen is 'sacrificed' so that the town- her inner psychological world- can awaken to a new dawn. I found your video because I wondered if anyone had done a Jungian analysis on the film. You did much better than I would have. As one piece of feedback- I think your content here is really well thought out and will be quite fascinating for many people to listen to and think about, but your presentation makes you sound a little bit bored. This content isn't boring! Maybe it was because of your mic, which you mentioned, but I just want to encourage you to let your interest and enthusiasm for the subject matter come through in your voice. Anyway, great video, thanks for posting!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. You describe so many aspects beautifully, especially von Franz as an akchemist-psychologist. I believe Eggers named him "von Franz" intentionally as well! And the town as her inner world being afforded a state of renewal is such a powerful image. Thanks for the kindly worded feedback, many have given me less gentle versions haha. My native LA accent makes me sound extremely stoned, so it's a journey trying to convey a bit more excitement lol.
Ugh this is just what I was looking for! Your analysis was delicious, thank you so much. (Fellow Marie Von Franz fan here.) One thing I would offer is a slightly different take on the ending. Yes, agreed it’s her claiming power where she was otherwise powerless. Yes it’s her embracing her shadow. Yes it’s her dying in order to be reborn-but she is never allowed her rebirth, and THAT’S what makes this a true horror film.
A Marie von Franz fan in the wild?! 😍😍 Ooh, you make an excellent point. It all just ends doesn't it? No nudge about a "next step." I suppose the lilacs mean "remembrance" in that case.
@ Reading her lectures on alchemical symbols rn-funny enough, the section on Isis receiving wisdom through (delayed) union with an angel who craved her. Re: Lilacs. Totally! They’re also incredibly sensual but ephemeral flowers. Short blooming period, short lived in vases, can’t capture their scent longterm naturally, etc.
@ i need to read that chapter asap! did it reveal a different perspective that can be applied to nosferatu? lilacs and their ephemeral scent....i tried lanvin's eclat d'arpege and issey miyake's drop...and while very lovely, the lilac spirit just can't be bottled.
Exactly what I needed - a concise and neatly explained Nosferatu through Jungian lense, love love love it, keep up with the good work!
thank you so much! i really look forward to delving into more of these analyses :)
Great analysis, I think you nailed it. I think the entire film should be interpreted very much as a sort of living dream/nightmare and the Jungian lens is, I think, encouraged strongly by the film itself via (among other things) the Defoe character, who blends the role of psychologist and alchemist much like Jung himself did. That character is not in the original Nosferatu film, so it is an Eggers addition and naming him Von Franz (rather than Van Helsing perhaps) further connects him with the Jungian world, as a reference to Marie Louise Von Franz. Eggers has shown with his previous films that there is no boundary for him between normal reality and the world of dreams and magic- these things always overlap freely in his films.
When I left the film, my friends were confused by the disturbing and odd ending- I interpreted it as a victory as Ellen finally embraces the shadow/animus figure and overcomes the shame she talks about earlier in the film. Interpreting the film as a dream or psychodrama, the individual ego Ellen is 'sacrificed' so that the town- her inner psychological world- can awaken to a new dawn.
I found your video because I wondered if anyone had done a Jungian analysis on the film. You did much better than I would have.
As one piece of feedback- I think your content here is really well thought out and will be quite fascinating for many people to listen to and think about, but your presentation makes you sound a little bit bored. This content isn't boring! Maybe it was because of your mic, which you mentioned, but I just want to encourage you to let your interest and enthusiasm for the subject matter come through in your voice.
Anyway, great video, thanks for posting!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. You describe so many aspects beautifully, especially von Franz as an akchemist-psychologist. I believe Eggers named him "von Franz" intentionally as well! And the town as her inner world being afforded a state of renewal is such a powerful image.
Thanks for the kindly worded feedback, many have given me less gentle versions haha. My native LA accent makes me sound extremely stoned, so it's a journey trying to convey a bit more excitement lol.
Excited you’re going in this direction! Jungian theory has been my passion for years.
Ahhh so happy this is connecting me with more lovers of Jung.
Ugh this is just what I was looking for! Your analysis was delicious, thank you so much. (Fellow Marie Von Franz fan here.)
One thing I would offer is a slightly different take on the ending. Yes, agreed it’s her claiming power where she was otherwise powerless. Yes it’s her embracing her shadow. Yes it’s her dying in order to be reborn-but she is never allowed her rebirth, and THAT’S what makes this a true horror film.
A Marie von Franz fan in the wild?! 😍😍 Ooh, you make an excellent point. It all just ends doesn't it? No nudge about a "next step." I suppose the lilacs mean "remembrance" in that case.
@ Reading her lectures on alchemical symbols rn-funny enough, the section on Isis receiving wisdom through (delayed) union with an angel who craved her.
Re: Lilacs. Totally! They’re also incredibly sensual but ephemeral flowers. Short blooming period, short lived in vases, can’t capture their scent longterm naturally, etc.
@ i need to read that chapter asap! did it reveal a different perspective that can be applied to nosferatu?
lilacs and their ephemeral scent....i tried lanvin's eclat d'arpege and issey miyake's drop...and while very lovely, the lilac spirit just can't be bottled.