written by: Lee Fenton

This movie was made during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the hard work and dedication of the writers and actors (and even more so the ones currently on strike), the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. In fact, no films or television would.

We stand in solidarity.

Would I call this film lack-luster?

No.

I believe that is an overly descriptive word to use for a film like this. ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ in my opinion is simply 'meh'.

Going in, there is hope that this movie may amount to more than a cheap imitation of cherished horror films from the past. The nostalgia bait with this release is glaringly obvious - you want to know what the worst part is?

It really does not achieve what it sets out to do – kick start a new franchise based on old intellectual property – this is a severe disappointment. The screenwriters could have spent time coming up with something original and thought provoking. Instead the studios chose to re-tread old ground, hoping that the attachment to the original Dracula source material would carry an undeserving film forward.

What's more I feel this movie is really trying to fill the hole left by the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, albeit aiming for a different demographic, with content that is much darker and more adult. Is it a coincidence that the original movie-goers who enjoyed the Pirates franchise are now in their 30s and 40s? I believe not. Besides, the general public has always had an itch for naval films based in the 1800s and 1900s; so why not, try to satisfy that craving – making millions in the process, right?

In of its self it is not a bad idea, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

So there really isn't a breakout character in this film; and that's one of it's many problems. I would like to say it's Dracula; but honestly the characterization we get from him amounts to: whispered threats, and one liners. The lead role is sort of split between two different characters; 'Clemens' and 'Wojchek' and neither of them develop into what this film sorely needed - a hero. *Spoiler warning ahead* The outro of the movie is a scene where Dracula (Javier Botet) is spotted in a bar by Clemens (Corey Hawkins) - who has turned out to be the lone survivor of the incident – and he follows Dracula into the nearby street vowing his vengeance and promising (to the audience) that this creature of the night will not survive, if he has anything to say about it. Then the movie ends. That's the most heroic feeling moment in this film.

I feel like this would have been acceptable if they had slated another movie for release. Dune(2021) is a rather melancholy film due to the fact that Denis Villeneuve (Dir.) chose not to condense the story of Frank Herbert's first book, and instead to end the film about halfway - through at the 'All Is Lost Moment'. This is a very risky choice in the medium of film because we end on a real down note and leave the audience with the opposite of a classic Hollywood ending. Dune however is a great movie, and pulled this off immaculately.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter has performances that fail to involve me in the emotional toll of the characters enough to really care about their well-being. Also the dialogue isn't atrocious, but the amount of character development that takes place in this film is next to none, and the actors are all unknowns for the most part, not a bad thing necessarily - but I think some before hand character work and more involved direction - would have went a long way.

The gore in this movie is all pretty spectacular - from a special effects point of view. Any practical effects (prosthetic, latex, etc) are lit well and look convincing, and the CGI for Dracula's 'Nosferatu-esque' form is quite a bit of fun, honestly. There are moments when I wish the filmmaker would have spent more time on suspense building; versus shocking visuals, and all-out-blood-and-gore (J-Horror does this expertly, see one of my favorite films The Ring – 1998 for a westernized version of the sub-genre, or Ringu the original Japanese film) but for the most part the movie ensures the mythos of Dracula is treated with respect and establishes him as a creature of the night, that strikes from the shadows - terrifying his victims, and picking them off one-by-one. There is some peak vampire horror in here, it's just that the moments of grandeur are fleeting, and it doesn't quite pack the same punch that films like; Interview with the Vampire and ‘Francis Ford Coppola's’ interpretation of Bram Stoker's - Dracula, did.

It's more like a refined version of Dracula 3000 or maybe a sister film to Dracula Untold. I didn't detest Dracula Untold, though some vamp-heads were offended by the movie showcasing such a legendary villain as Dracula with such a rather mediocre product. Dracula Untold was a huge production in comparison - so maybe this film should be commended for achieving similar results, but with less.

Another point: True Blood (HBO) was quite successful, and Twilight - a global phenomenon. So should we really be so harsh on The Last Voyage of the Demeter?

Perhaps not.

Rating 5.5/10 Not well done at all. But at least the movie is still fresh...

Dracula likes em' fresh.

(Budget of Dracula Untold 70 million, adjusted for inflation 93.3 million. Voyage of the Last Demeter 45 million. A little more impressive, hmm?)

(Oh! Btw before I forget go watch Renfield!! Do you want a vampire movie that delivers on its premise and leaves you wanting more Nicolas Cage Dracula action for the rest of your pitiful little existence? Then go watch Renfield. Don’t worry I’ll review it soon)

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (also known as Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter in some international markets)[7] is a 2023 American supernatural horror film directed by André Øvredal and written by Bragi F. Schut Jr.[c] and Zak Olkewicz. It is an adaptation of "The Captain's Log", a chapter from the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. The film stars Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, and David Dastmalchian. -Wikipedia