By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
More than 200 films have featured Count Dracula ever since Bram Stoker wrote the novel in 1897. “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” is a bit different, however, as it focuses on one particular chapter within the famed novel, the ill-fated journey of the ship transporting the immortal creature to England. This is a typical monster flick type of horror film with some tantalizing jump scares and solid acting performances to make it a compelling watch.
Set in 1897, the Demeter and its crew disembarks from the port of Carpathia bound for London, receiving top coin for the safe transport of strangely marked personal cargo crates. Clemens (Corey Hawkins) is a Cambridge graduate and a doctor, desperately looking for an opportunity to prove his worth by joining the Demeter crew as the ship’s doctor. He gets more than he bargained for when livestock below decks turn up dead with their throats ripped out and a mysterious ailment beginning to surface among the crew after being bitten.
Night after night, the crew becomes increasingly terrorized, but their only option in the open sea is to continue sailing. As they get picked off one by one, Clemens comes to understand that something evil is on board with them and it’s very hungry.
Director Andre Ovredal is no stranger to making monster movies, having previously directed “Troll Hunter” and “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.” His experience pays off, producing riveting suspense driven moments with some thrilling jump scares. The real challenge is producing an intriguing enough storyline when the audience is already aware of the outcome, while confining almost all the filming to a schooner. Ovredal embraces the predictable nature of the story, beginning the film by showing the wreckage of the Demeter, then flashing back to four weeks earlier to recount how it happened. Even the title makes the audience clearly aware this movie won’t end well for the ship and its crew. However, despite knowing the end, the director fashions the scenes in such a way that makes the journey worth watching.
Ovredal, who derives his inspiration from “Alien,” uses a slow burn approach to gradually build suspense. This also promotes character development, but leaves little time for the action, making the film a bit rushed and unbalanced towards the end. There are problems with film, namely why the characters didn’t attempt to hunt and kill this thing during the day when they learn of its nocturnal tendencies and where it even sleeps. The cinematography disappointingly lacked creativity despite quality art direction and costuming that lend a darker, grittier 19th century vibe.
The cast did an exemplary job of personalizing their characters, incorporating different accents based on unique backgrounds that would be typical of a ship’s crew at that time. They provide authentic performances that enhance the credibility of the film. Corey Hawkins led the way with a riveting performance, establishing a worthy backstory that solidifies his character as the clear protagonist of the movie. Corey has proven to be a capable actor, having previously outstandingly portrayed Dr. Dre in “Straight Outta Compton,” and will next be having a significant role in the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” later this year.
Overall, “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” is an enjoyable ride with enough thrills and acting to make for a satisfying experience. Dracula is presented in a much more monstrous form than the more popular romanticized version of the blood sucking undead. Think of “Alien” on a boat that looks more like Nosferatu.
This movie earns:
