Love at first bite.
Over the decades, the story of Dracula has been told and retold so many different times and in so many different ways that it would be entirely understandable to think audiences would never want to watch any adaptation about literature’s most famous vampire ever again. That being said, every so often, a movie comes along that takes the source material and adapts it for the screen in a way that is so unique and so masterfully crafted that it makes an old story or a classic character feel like new. The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) is one of those movies. God, I love horror. Y’know, between my recent reviews of The Haunted Mansion (2003), Haunted Mansion (2023) and Dracula (1931), this is shaping up to be one spooky summer! By the way, check out my reviews for those movies here, here and here.
Based on the chapter entitled “The Captain’s Log” from Bram Stoker’s iconic novel, “Dracula,” The Last Voyage of the Demeter follows the crew of the titular doomed ship as it sails to England with a mysterious cargo of dirt-filled boxes. When crew members suddenly become violently murdered, it soon becomes apparent that an evil entity walks the deck of the Demeter.
I was really excited about seeing this movie. Not only did the trailer make it look super cool, but I’m also a huge fan of vampires, especially Dracula. I had zero expectations because it’s not like this is a never before explored intellectual property or the director or the cast are particularly well-known. Truthfully, I went into this movie hopeful that I would find it genuinely enjoyable and I am thrilled that that’s exactly the experience I had. What a cool, unique idea for a movie! Dracula’s story has been done to death but how smart and inventive to take a chapter of the book that’s brimming with action and never been translated to screen and make a whole movie about it. In the future could we see other movies adapt looked over book chapters into feature films? I wouldn’t be mad if that’s the next trend in moviemaking.
From start to finish, it delivers a spookily satisfying story that pays homage to the legend of Dracula while also expanding on it. A film based on a singular chapter of a classic novel could easily wind up being boring and uneventful, however, The Last Voyage of the Demeter is anything but. Solid direction and quality writing elevate it into something unlike anything fans of horror are used to seeing. It’s always thrilling and succeeds as a great vampire movie because it’s well-executed and genuinely horrifying. The Last Voyage of the Demeter has all the heart and artistic integrity of an independent drama coupled with just enough flash and action of a summer blockbuster. A compelling, well-written, well-acted horror makes this a welcome addition to the plethora of Dracula movies out there.
Director Andre Øvredal handles the gore and creepiness well, creating a monster movie that is a must-see for anyone who loves a spine-chilling, multi-killing, totally-thrilling vampire movie. Where the film truly succeeds is with its subtlety. It delivers classic old-school scares that are completely uncomplicated or unpretentious. What makes The Last Voyage of the Demeter a winning horror movie is how it devotes its efforts to being truly scary, not concerning itself with a convoluted plot, dull characters or stale action sequences. The result is a reintroduction of classic horror to a modern audience. I love it. I also love the setting. We don’t get many horror / monster movies set in the past (especially these days) so this is a welcome change. Having the movie be set on a boat on the open sea, an enclosed environment without any chance for outside aid, allows for character’s suspicions and fear to run rampant. It brings to mind such iconic horror movies as Alien (1979) or The Thing (1982), which each set the bar when it comes to monster movies. Audiences haven’t been given many monster movies as of late but this is definitely one of the best ones to hit the big screen in recent memory. Speaking of monsters, it was so refreshing to actually see Dracula and not have the character concealed by shadows or quick edits that water down the terror of seeing a legendary monster come to life. The frights are excellently paced and build on each other, making sure that The Last Voyage of the Demeter culminates in a finale that is explosive to say the least.
I can’t tell you what an effective touch it was to have the lead characters played by a cast that isn’t made up of big-time movie stars. The leads act and look appropriately old-timey, engrossing you in the world the movie creates. If a movie star like Chris Hemsworth for example had played the lead, it would have felt out of place and been distracting. Y’know, Universal should take note from The Last Voyage of the Demeter. THIS is how filmmakers should bring these legendary monsters to audiences in the 21st century. Regardless of setting or time period, the key is to put these monsters in movies that are well-written, well-acted and don’t need to rely on bloated action sequences or the promise of spin-offs or a shared cinematic universe. Although, I wouldn’t be mad if this is how Universal had structured their Dark Universe. God, remember that fiasco that failed before it even started? The ending (which is truly chilling, by the way) certainly did leave the door open for a spin-off or sequel and honestly? I would be so down.
Quite honestly, there’s nothing I would really change about The Last Voyage of the Demeter. I was lucky enough to attend a press screening where I received a free shirt and boy oh boy am I proud to wear that shirt as an instant fan of this movie. Ultimately, The Last Voyage of the Demeter is a must-see for fans of horror, vampires or Dracula. If this is the direction Universal monster movies are going than I’m ready to set sail.
Have you seen The Last Voyage of the Demeter?
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