With the release of “Nosferatu,” in just a few weeks’ time, let’s reignite this debate.
In the 2010s, three filmmakers — Robert Eggers, Ari Aster and Jordan Peele — burst onto the indie scene with horror films that felt imprinted with their own unique cinematic DNA. These are three idiosyncratic talents whose creative vision requires a degree of complete artistic control that modern Hollywood refuses to offer above a certain price point.
Aster, Peele and Eggers have, so far, successfully avoided being cramped inside big studio’s creatively restraining playset; managing to slip out of the straitjacket in plain sight, tackling their own twisted obsessions on celluloid, and more importantly, without much studio interference.
Whether you like all three, or hate them, if U.S. cinema wants to survive, it ought to consider recognizing more young artists like them in every way possible. We need more films that lure audiences based on the director at the helm rather than just enticing with IP-driven content.
Not counting “Nosferatu,” Eggers, Aster and Peele have so far released three films each, and in the process built up these hardened fan bases that will go and watch whatever they do next. It helps that they make films very much ingrained in the horror genre, which has had a total resurgence these last 10 years, including, and especially, at the arthouse.
Now, it’s your turn. Which of these three filmmakers do you believe has the brightest future ahead of them? My bet is on either Eggers or Peele, although if Aster has more self-control, and manages to make tighter films like “Hereditary,” then he could definitely top out both of his competitors in the long run.
Robert Eggers (The Witch, Lighthouse, Northman)
Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau is Afraid)
Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us, Nope)