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Robert Houston Eggers was born on 7 July 1983 in New York City, USA. He is a celebrated American filmmaker known for his distinctive approach to historical fiction. Eggers has gained prominence for his work in the horror genre, with notable films including The Witch (2015), The Lighthouse (2019), The Northman (2022), and an upcoming remake of Nosferatu (2024).
Eggers spent parts of his childhood in Laramie, Wyoming, after his mother, Kelly Houston, married Walter Eggers, an English literature professor. The family later moved to Lee, New Hampshire in 1990. Growing up in New England, his early experiences significantly shaped his creative inspirations.
In 2001, Eggers returned to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. While there, he developed a passion for theater, directing, and filmmaking. During this time, he created several short films and became interested in the historical and mythological themes that would later feature prominently in his work. His first feature film, The Witch, was inspired by frequent visits to the Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts.
Eggers launched his professional career in theater before transitioning to film. His feature film debut, The Witch, premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and was later acquired by A24. The film was released on 19 February 2016, receiving critical acclaim and grossing over $40 million against a budget of $4 million.
Following the success of The Witch, Eggers directed The Lighthouse, which was co-written with his brother, Max. This 2019 film, starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, was also well-received by critics. The film explores themes of isolation and madness, pushing the boundaries of the horror genre.
In 2022, Eggers released The Northman, an epic Viking film inspired by the story of Amleth. Featuring a star-studded cast, including Alexander Skarsgård and Nicole Kidman, the film received a positive response yet faced challenges at the box office.
In July 2015, Eggers announced he would be remaking the silent classic Nosferatu. He expressed mixed feelings about taking on such a significant project, having previously directed a high school play adaptation of the film. Although he initially planned to delay the remake, he proceeded with it after completing The Lighthouse and The Northman. The film is expected to star Bill Skarsgård and Lily-Rose Depp.
Eggers is married to Alexandra Shaker, a clinical psychologist whom he has known since childhood. They reside in Brooklyn and have one son together. Eggers is known for his meticulous attention to detail in filmmaking, often prioritizing historical accuracy in the dialogue and settings of his films.
Filmography:
Eggers continues to be a prominent figure in contemporary cinema, with a unique ability to blend horror with historical narrative. His upcoming projects include a medieval film titled The Knight and a werewolf horror film set in 13th-century England titled Werwulf, scheduled for a Christmas 2026 release.
