Robert Eggers

Robert Houston Eggers (born July 7, 1983) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for writing and directing the films The Witch, The Lighthouse (2019), The Northman (2022), and Nosferatu (2024). Widely considered one of the most distinctive auteurs of his generation, all of his films are set before the 20th century and noted for their historical authenticity and blending of gothic horror, folklore, and mythology.

Early life Robert Houston Eggers was born in New York City on July 7, 1983. He does not know his biological father. The couple had twin sons named Max and Sam, who also became filmmakers. In 1990, the family relocated to Lee, New Hampshire, after Walter became a provost at the University of New Hampshire.

Eggers returned to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2001. His childhood in New England often inspires his work; while writing his first feature film, he frequently visited the Plimoth Patuxet in Massachusetts.

Career Eggers began his career as a designer and director of theatre productions in New York, primarily in experimental and street theatre, before transitioning to working in film. He wrote and directed the horror film The Witch (2015) in his feature film directorial debut, and it premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival before A24 acquired it. It was released theatrically on February 19, 2016. In 2022, the Amleth-inspired Viking epic film The Northman was released, starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe. Critical reception was largely positive, but the film underperformed at the box office and did not make a profit until it was released on VOD.

In July 2015, it was reported that Eggers would write and direct a remake of the silent film Nosferatu (1922). The film was set to be produced by Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen for Studio 8. In November 2016, Eggers expressed surprise that the Nosferatu remake was going to be his second film, saying, "It feels ugly and blasphemous and egomaniacal and disgusting for a filmmaker in my place to do Nosferatu next. I was really planning on waiting a while, but that's how fate shook out." Eggers had previously directed his high school's performance of the Nosferatu play, and was hired to direct a professional version of the play due to his work. Eggers credited this as the event that inspired him to pursue a career in filmmaking. Eggers eventually opted to delay his version of the film, going on to direct The Lighthouse and The Northman first. The Witch star Anya Taylor-Joy was attached to the cast alongside Harry Styles, but both dropped out in 2022. In September 2022, it was reported that the film would star Bill Skarsgård in the title role alongside Lily-Rose Depp. Nosferatu became his fourth film. Aaron Taylor-Johnson was confirmed to star in Werwulf in July 2025, alongside Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe.

In 2026, Eggers was honoured at the 59th Sitges Film Festival with the Time Machine Award (The Màquina del Temps).

Prospective projects Eggers was at one point developing a miniseries based on the life of Grigori Rasputin. However, he stated in 2024 that development has stalled as he would be unable to film in Russia. He has also developed a medieval film called The Knight, which has yet to be produced. It was also reported that he would write and direct a sequel to the 1986 film Labyrinth. Additionally, Eggers started writing an "Elizabethan" script and expressed interest in making a Western.

Artistry One of the major traits of films directed by Eggers is his "strict attention to detail". All of his films are period dramas, and have been noted for their historical accuracy, especially their use of specific language and period-appropriate dialogue.

Eggers stated in a Rotten Tomatoes interview that he is not interested in making films set in the contemporary era, claiming that the idea of photographing modern technology disgusts him. When asked what is the latest era he is willing to film, he answered that he will go as far as the 1950s.

Personal life Eggers is married to clinical psychologist Alexandra Shaker, whom he has known since childhood. They have a son together.

Filmography Feature films Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes 2015 The Witch 2019 The Lighthouse Co-written with Max Eggers 2022 The Northman Co-written with Sjón 2024 Nosferatu 2026 Werwulf Co-written with Sjón, Post-production

Short films Year Title Director Writer Notes 2007 Hansel and Gretel Also production designer 2008 The Tell-Tale Heart 2015 Brothers

Costume designer Year Title Notes 2009 Drawing from Life Short film 2010 Prelude and Fugue Confessional Stories: Voluntary Damnation Confessional Stories: First Confession Monster YellowBrickRoad Feature 2011 The Tailor Short film The Five Stages of Grief Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film! Documentary In the Pines Short film 2012 Anemone Legacy Esther 2013 The House at the Edge of the Galaxy Vivace! Spirit Cabinet Feature film 2014 Rose Short film

Reception

Frequent collaborators Eggers is known for his recurring collaborations with certain actors and crew members.