Lily-Rose Depp: From nepo-baby to Hollywood darling in Nosferatu revival

Lily-Rose Depp is receiving rave reviews for her transformative performance in the horror film Nosferatu, marking a stunning career revival after the backlash surrounding her HBO series The Idol.

The 25-year-old actress, daughter of Hollywood legend Johnny Depp and French star Vanessa Paradis, faced criticism last year for The Idol, which was cancelled after just five episodes due to its controversial content. 

However, critics are now hailing her as an emerging talent, with her portrayal of Ellen Hutter in the chilling remake of the 1922 classic Nosferatu garnering widespread praise.

The film, directed by Robert Eggers and starring Bill Skarsgård as the vampire Count Orlok, has earned a solid 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Critics are lauding Lily-Rose for breaking away from the "nepo-baby" label and delivering an "outstanding" performance as a young woman tormented by possession and seizures. Some have even suggested the role could earn her Oscar buzz.

In his review for The Telegraph, Tim Robey declared her the "one to watch," giving the film three stars out of five. Nosferatu premiered at the Berlin Film Festival this week and is set for release on January 3.

Lily-Rose Depp is receiving glowing praise for her commanding performance in Nosferatu, with critics declaring it a career-defining role. 

Tim highlighted Lily-Rose’s daring performance, describing her opening scene as "screaming" and “thrusting herself bodily into striking fits of eroticised demon-possession,” calling it the best part of the film. 

Yahoo's Jonathan Sim also praised her work, noting that while the film boasts many strong female performances in 2024, Lily-Rose stands out. 

"Anya Taylor-Joy was initially cast as Ellen, and while losing her was disappointing, Depp brings something powerful, sensual, and unexpected to the role," he wrote, adding that it’s “her best performance yet."

The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney declared, "The film belongs to Lily-Rose Depp, whose performance is a revelation." 

He went on to describe her electrifying scenes with Bill Skarsgård, saying that Lily-Rose’s portrayal of Ellen’s gradual descent into delirium adds a tragic gravity to the role, especially when she acknowledges the mystical forces that drive the vampire’s obsession.

He praised her ability to effortlessly switch between vulnerability and demonic ferocity, with her stylized physicality during her seizures described as "breathtaking."