A question about Nosferatu’s ending.

This is my first Reddit post but I can’t find anyone else that has thought about this and I really am curious. So from my understanding, Count Orlok’s main goal is to have some sort of soul tie with Ellen and that’s exactly what he did. He got to die with her and feed upon her just as he wanted. With this it feels as if Thomas’ struggle to return to his wife and his struggle to fight for his wife was ultimately meaningless. Because by the end he walks into the bedroom hoping to save his wife but instead he witnesses the victory of Count Orlok.

I think I’m definitely missing something here and I would appreciate if someone could enlighten me. Thanks!