Genius film director F.W. Murnau (John Malkovich) is determined to complete the photography on his latest production, the soon-to-be classic vampire movie 'Nosferatu', but the erratic behaviour of leading man Max Shreck (Willem Dafoe) keeps causing problems. Shreck's commitment to the role of the vampire is such that he is never out of character, and this is causing worries among the cast and crew. Murnau has offered Shreck the neck of the leading lady (Catherine McCormack) if he delivers one of the best performances ever, but Shreck's bloodlust is such that he might not be able to wait until the shoot is over.