PETA Protest with “Giant Rat” to Disrupt Nosferatu Screening

As the eagerly anticipated screening of Nosferatu approaches, an unusual twist is on the horizon. The animal rights organization PETA plans to stage a pro-rat protest during the event, amplifying the film’s already spooky vibe.

Set to premiere on December 25, the film features a particularly chilling scene where 5,000 live rats swarm the streets of London, symbolizing the spread of the notorious bubonic plague. This striking visual was confirmed by director Robert Eggers, who discussed the clip in a recent interview with Guillermo del Toro. Egger noted, “If there’s rats in the foreground, they’re real, and then they thin out and become CG rats in the background. And they were well-trained.”

Contentious Portrayal of Rats in Nosferatu

Despite the artistic intent, PETA is voicing serious concerns regarding the film’s portrayal of rats. In a statement, Lauren Thomasson, PETA’s director of animals in film and television, argued, “A human is no more likely to be harmed or killed by a rat in real life than by a vampire. False portrayals of these animals as harbingers of death deny viewers the chance to see them as the intelligent, social, and affectionate individuals they are.”

Thomasson emphasized that the true ‘pests’ in this scenario are filmmakers who cause unnecessary distress to animals on set. PETA encourages audiences to reject harmful stereotypes and advocate for the rights of rats.

On December 8, PETA plans to unveil a “giant PETA rat”at the Academy screening of Nosferatu at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. This symbolic gesture will come with signage proclaiming, “Rats Have Rights! We Didn’t Cause the Plague!”

Nicholas Hoult as Thomas in Nosferatu — Focus Features

Production designer Craig Lathrop reassured fans that the scene featuring the rats was meticulously controlled. He stated, “None of [the rats] were lost. We found all of them. They were all there. We built these plexiglass barriers so that the live rats would be in a controlled area.” Lathrop further explained that the arrangement kept the live rats and horses safely apart, preventing any potential harm to either group.

With a star-studded cast including Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, and Bill Skarsgård, Nosferatu arrives in U.S. theaters on December 25 and in the UK on January 1.

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