Lily Rose-Depp’s audition tape for Nosferatu role surfaces online and it's leaving people divided

Lily-Rose Depp's audition tape for her leading role in Nosferatu has surfaced online and it's causing quite a bit of controversy.

The American gothic horror remake of the cult classic OG 1922 movie, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, which is itself based on Bram Stoker's 1897 Dracula novel, has caused a stir ever since it hit movie theatres on Christmas Day.

It boasts an impressive 84 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with critics lauding it a 'behemoth' of horror and seduction with some rather uncomfortably repulsive scenes, to say the least, as any good vampire movie should.

Bill Skarsgård frightened audiences with his depiction of Count Orlok, particularly as he looks entirely unrecognisable in a moustache and prosthetics - and not to mention the infamous prosthetic penis.

Set in the 1830s in Germany, the story follows a young woman, Ellen Hunter, played by Lily-Rose Depp, who pleads to a 'supernatural being' to relieve her loneliness and ends up pledging herself to him for eternity.

There are some rather racy scenes as Ellen becomes gripped by dreams of the demon and derives sexual pleasure from the harrowing figure haunting her nightmares.

Now, the 25-year-old's audition tape for the role has been released and it's fair to say it's dividing opinion.

As the daughter of Johnny Depp and the French singer and actress, Vanessa Paradis, it's unsurprising Lily-Rose appears the natural choice for such a gothic role - and her audition tape shows exactly why producers hired her on the spot.

The 13-second clip shows Lily-Rose, filming herself over Zoom, with bedraggled hair and mascara down her face.

She delivers some lines from the script in various dark and haunting tones, from whispering to shouting in a matter of seconds.

The viral footage has provoked fans on social media who describe her performance as a possessed Ellen as award-winning and simply 'good f****** acting'.

Others on Twitter said Lily-Rose is clearly a talented actress in her own right, and in some scenes 'out-acted her own father'.

"She didn't just rely on her father's name - her effort speaks volumes", another fan wrote, while others suggested 'talent runs in the family'.

Another penned: "This is a work of art."

However, others said the clip made them feel 'uncomfortable' being so intimate, as one wrote: "The shot needs to be wider."

Part of Lily Rose-Depp’s audition tape for her role in ‘NOSFERATU’ has been released online.

Read our review: https://t.co/lmDVuyswGS pic.twitter.com/gXismIqZuc

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 22, 2025

Another critic said: "Her acting in the movie was legit good. This audition was painful to watch. I suppose directors can see through this, as she was stellar in the movie."

Well, the tape also apparently left a profound impact on director, Robert Eggers, and the casting team and videographer who were all reportedly moved to tears by her performance, reports Tribune.

Eggers described it as 'incredibly braw, raw and powerful'.

Critics from Discussing Film have since said her performance in Nosferatu was 'breathtaking' and 'the film's beating heart'.

The review added: "Depp goes above and beyond as she contorts her body in freakish ways during moments when Ellen succumbs to Nosferatu’s influence, making way for a more visceral and unforgettable viewing experience.

"Undoubtedly, Depp delivers the latest addition to the hall of greatest modern horror performances."

When she first saw the finished film, Lily-Rose told Harpers Bazaar: "Oh my God! It’s not just scary, it’s gross, it’s revolting. It’s palpably effective.”