Lily-Rose Depp, the 25-year-old rising star, is no stranger to the spotlight—or to the doubters questioning whether she deserves her place in Hollywood. With her recent role in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, Depp demonstrates her worth, proving she is more than ready to carve out her own legacy.

From her breakout in the French period piece Planetarium to her polarizing role in The Idol, Depp has faced challenges with poise and determination. But it was her audition for Nosferatu that left Eggers in tears, even though it was conducted over Zoom. The role of Ellen—expanded from the original to echo Dracula’s Mina Harker—demands a complex emotionality that ranges from humor to terror, sometimes within a single scene. Depp’s portrayal, untouched by CGI, uses her physicality to express Ellen’s possession scenes with a raw authenticity that has left early audiences astounded.

Depp worked with movement coach Marie-Gabrielle Rotie and trained in butoh, a Japanese dance form, to cultivate the kind of vulnerability and self-abandonment required for her performance. She approached each scene with rigorous commitment, choreographing every motion to meet the film's intricate visual demands. Eggers' adaptation recasts Ellen as the lead—an expansion of the character’s depth and arc—and Depp inhabits this role with a fearless intensity that asserts her status as an emerging force in contemporary cinema.

While Depp exudes confidence on-screen, she admits that the journey wasn’t without its personal struggles. Carrying a legacy linked to famous parents, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, has often led to public skepticism of her legitimacy in the industry. She speaks openly about her imposter syndrome, but also about how those challenges fuel her drive. “People have been ready to see me fail,” she says, emphasizing that it only motivates her to work harder. The dedication to the craft was palpable on the set of Nosferatu, with Eggers setting a haunting tone—using dark sets and atmospheric music to immerse the actors in their roles. Depp, deeply connected to her character, brought Ellen’s darkness home after filming wrapped, describing a need to “release something” after the experience.

Reflecting on her past projects, Depp expresses nothing but pride for The Idol, despite the divisive reaction it garnered. She knew the bold choices made in the show wouldn’t resonate with everyone, but as she puts it, “It’s okay that it’s not for everyone. That’s a beautiful thing about it.” Her attitude underscores her willingness to take on roles that challenge both herself and the audience—not to fit into preconceived expectations, but to explore the emotional undercurrents often left untapped in mainstream cinema.

Depp’s preparation for Nosferatu was as intense as the role demanded. The butoh training, an avant-garde Japanese dance form that emphasizes self-abandonment and surrender to the physical, allowed her to embody Ellen’s supernatural possession with a level of authenticity rarely seen on screen. Butoh’s emphasis on creating space for another entity to take over the body resonated with Depp, who fully immersed herself in the discipline, working closely with movement coach Marie-Gabrielle Rotie. The training required a complete departure from self-awareness, pushing Depp to an emotional brink that ultimately shaped her performance. The physicality of the role was choreographed down to the smallest detail, and Depp embraced the technical demands, bringing an operatic grandeur to Ellen’s most intense moments.

Eggers, known for his meticulous direction, worked closely with Depp to ensure that each scene reflected his vision. He created an environment on set that mirrored the eerie, ominous atmosphere of the story. Using dim lighting and playing haunting music during takes, Eggers fostered a sense of unease that helped Depp and her co-stars inhabit their roles fully. Depp describes the set as immersive, where the boundaries between character and actor blurred, especially during the more physically demanding possession scenes. This intensity took a toll, and Depp admits that even after filming, she carried a lingering heaviness—an emotional residue of Ellen’s dark journey that was hard to shake off.

The role of Ellen is a significant departure from Depp's previous work, both in its scale and its emotional depth. Unlike her character in The Idol, who exuded a controlled and glamorous persona, Ellen is raw, vulnerable, and often at the mercy of forces beyond her control. This shift allowed Depp to explore a broader range of her abilities, showcasing her versatility as an actress. The complexity of Ellen's character—oscillating between moments of strength and utter helplessness—required Depp to dig deep into her emotional reserves, something she found both challenging and rewarding. It was a role that demanded everything from her, and she rose to the occasion with a performance that has left audiences and critics alike in awe.

Nosferatu, currently in the early stages of its promotional journey, represents a defining moment for Lily-Rose Depp. It is a moment where vulnerability meets rigor, and ambition finds its stage. Her nuanced portrayal of Ellen—an ordinary woman overtaken by dark forces—underscores her potential to captivate audiences in complex, demanding roles. Depp's journey is one of resilience—of proving to herself and to others that she’s here to stay, not because of her name but because of her talent, dedication, and passion for storytelling.

The future is promising for Depp, who is eager to take on more emotionally challenging roles and has aspirations to work with filmmakers like Jonathan Glazer, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Justine Triet. She mentions her desire to collaborate with directors known for their unique storytelling approaches, expressing admiration for their ability to create deeply immersive cinematic experiences. Whatever comes next, Nosferatu stands as a testament to her artistic capability and drive—a demonstration that she can face Hollywood's pressures and succeed on her own terms. Depp is not just an actor following in her parents' footsteps; she is carving out a distinct path, driven by an unrelenting passion for her craft and an eagerness to tackle roles that push her limits.

As Nosferatu continues to make waves in the industry, it is clear that Lily-Rose Depp’s performance is more than just another role—it is a statement. A statement that she is not merely a product of her lineage, but an artist in her own right, willing to embrace the darkness, the vulnerability, and the challenges that come with truly transformative acting. This film is a landmark in her career, a powerful indication that Lily-Rose Depp is an actress ready to take on the complexities and demands of Hollywood, proving she has what it takes to leave a lasting mark on the industry.

Depp’s journey has been defined by resilience, an ability to push beyond the expectations placed on her due to her lineage. The pressures of being Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis's daughter could easily have overwhelmed her, but instead, they’ve acted as a catalyst for her growth. With Nosferatu, she has embraced a character that symbolizes the duality of light and darkness—a journey that required both emotional and physical endurance. The choice to undergo butoh training and work with movement experts highlights her dedication to the craft. Such commitment is rare, especially in an era where shortcuts and digital enhancements are commonplace. Depp’s willingness to delve into the most uncomfortable aspects of her character’s psyche demonstrates her desire to tell stories that matter, regardless of how they might be received by a skeptical audience.

Moving forward, it’s evident that Depp is ready to embrace projects that challenge the boundaries of conventional cinema. Her passion for collaboration with visionary directors like Jonathan Glazer, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Justine Triet speaks volumes about her ambitions. These are filmmakers known for their unorthodox narratives, and Depp’s eagerness to work with them indicates her readiness to take creative risks. Such choices are what set apart true artists from those content to remain within the status quo. By tackling roles that demand vulnerability and emotional openness, Depp is setting herself up as an actor who is unafraid to confront her fears, both on and off the screen.

The impact of Nosferatu will be felt not only in Depp’s career trajectory but also in the broader context of Hollywood's evolving narratives. At a time when audiences crave authenticity and emotional depth, Depp’s portrayal of Ellen offers a refreshing departure from formulaic character arcs. She brings a humanity to the role that is both relatable and extraordinary, embodying the fears, hopes, and inner turmoil that define the human experience. As she continues to build her career, it’s clear that Lily-Rose Depp is not content to simply ride the coattails of her parents' fame. She is determined to forge her own path, one that is marked by daring choices, a relentless pursuit of artistic growth, and an unyielding passion for her craft.

Watch the Nosferatu Trailer Below: