Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter (2023)
(also known as The Last Voyage of the Demeter)
Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter is a horror flick directed by André Øvredal inspired by a chapter from Bram Stoker’s novel. The movie revolves around the crew of the Demeter, a cargo ship that embarks on a voyage from Transylvania to England in the 1800s carrying a coffin. As their journey progresses, they encounter bone-chilling incidents that hint at their not being alone on board.
Voyage of the Demeter approaches this Dracula outing by delving into a minor yet captivating aspect of the timeless novel and manages to create an intense and atmospheric horror experience. The cinematography skillfully captured by Roman Osin beautifully portrays both the darkness within the ship and the vast tempestuous sea. Bear McCreary’s haunting score effectively heightens the suspense and dread throughout. Edward Thomas’s meticulous production design deserves applause for recreating period details and capturing the essence of life aboard the vessel.
The acting performances are commendable, with a talented cast including Corey Hawkins, Javier Botet, Liam Cunningham and David Dastmalchian. Hawkins shines as Clemens, our protagonist — a doctor who joins the crew as a passenger but soon becomes suspicious about what lies inside that coffin. His portrayal is both sympathetic and layered, effectively conveying his curiosity, fear and bravery. Botet portrays the creature that haunts the ship using his physicality and makeup to create a frightening presence. Cunningham takes on the role of the captain, who valiantly tries to maintain order and discipline among his crew but gradually succumbs to madness. His performance exudes authority and desperation, lending depth to his character.
Regrettably, the primary problem lies with the script itself, which suffers from pacing, weak character development and a lack of originality. The film takes a long time to establish its premise and introduce the characters resulting in a tedious first act. The characters mostly fall into stereotypes with little growth or complexity. Their irrational decisions and inconsistent actions make it difficult for us to emotionally invest in their fate. It also relies heavily on clichés and jump scares that fail to deliver genuine surprises or twists. The dialogue often feels cheesy and forced, particularly when attempting humor.
The film also misses an opportunity to explore thought-provoking themes and symbolism present in its source material — such as the clash between science and superstition, fear of the unknown, or corruption of innocence. It neglects to delve into the motivations of both the creature and its victims while also failing to provide any cultural or historical context within which this story unfolds. This lack of commentary or exploration of these elements makes the film seem more interested in providing cheap thrills.
Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter is a horror movie that provides some entertainment for fans of the genre or the Dracula tale. It showcases good technical aspects of filmmaking and solid performances, but its shortcomings hold it back from being a truly memorable or innovative adaptation. It’s definitely watchable but ultimately forgettable.
(In cinemas in Australia – check your local movie guide for show times.)