The Last Voyage of the Demeter

Original title:	The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Director:	André Ovredal
Release:	Cinema
Running time:	119 minutes
Release date:	11 august 2023
Rating:

A chilling chapter in Bram Stoker's classic fantasy Dracula, The Last Voyage of the Demeter recounts the tragic fate of a merchant ship, the Demeter, chartered to carry a private cargo of 50 wooden crates from the Carpathians to London. Plagued by strange events, the crew of the Demeter try to fend off a merciless presence that assaults them every night. When the ship finally reaches the English coast, it's nothing more than a dilapidated, charred wreck, with no survivors on board.

Mulder's Review

The age-old story of the vampire, perhaps the most enduring and captivating creature in the world of horror, has taken many forms on the silver screen. From suave and seductive to more traditional monstrous depictions, the cinematic landscape has seen it all. Introducing The Last Voyage of the Demeter, a bold reinterpretation of a chapter from Bram Stoker's iconic novel Dracula. Directed by André Øvredal (Trollhunter (2010), The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019), Mortal (2020)) known for his talent as an atmospheric storyteller, this film seeks to rekindle the primal fear associated with the vampire myth.

The story opens on the shores of England, where a shipwrecked vessel raises disturbing questions about its ill-fated voyage. This enigmatic prologue paves the way for a journey back in time to when the Demeter left the Romanian coast, carrying a mysterious cargo including the famous Count himself. The crew consists of the stoic Doctor Clemens (Corey Hawkins), Captain Eliot (Liam Cunningham) and a stowaway with secrets (Aisling Franciosi). The film explores the chilling events that unfold as darkness engulfs the ship and terror takes hold.

The Demeter's last voyage successfully builds an eerie atmosphere, enveloping viewers in the ship's confined spaces. Øvredal's direction creates a feeling of claustrophobia and isolation, a perfect canvas for the creeping horror that gradually infects the crew. Thanks to skilful camerawork and a gothic aesthetic, the film creates a tangible sense of dread, reminiscent of classic horror tales.

Breaking with recent representations, Javier Botet's Dracula is truly a creature of the night, more beast than man (a veritable bat-man). With ferocious intensity and inhuman appearance, this version of the vampire rekindles the raw, primal fear that has been diluted by more polished adaptations. The film wholeheartedly embraces the terror of the unknown, offering visceral scares that elicit reactions ranging from goosebumps to gasps.

What sets The Last Voyage of the Demeter apart is its commitment to telling a character's story in the midst of horror. Corey Hawkins delivers a remarkable performance as Dr. Clemens, a Cambridge-educated physician who must confront not only supernatural terror, but also the bigotry and discrimination of his time. His struggle to assert his worth against a backdrop of social prejudice adds depth to the story. Liam Cunningham's portrayal of Captain Eliot brings gravitas to the screen, anchoring the story in a sense of authority and experience.

Although the film succeeds in marrying character exploration with a sinister atmosphere, it occasionally stumbles into well-worn horror clichés. The generous use of scares and orchestral sounds sometimes detracts from the raw terror the film seeks to evoke. However, it's the moments of introspection, the exploration of race, identity and morality that truly elevate the film beyond a simple creature feature.

André Øvredal's direction brilliantly captures the essence of the source material while adding his own touch. By expanding on a single chapter of Stoker's novel, the film transforms darkness into terror. The authenticity of the period setting, combined with unsettling images and Bear McCreary's haunting score, enables The Last Voyage of the Demeter to successfully immerse audiences in a world of dread.

Inevitably, this doomed voyage heads for its dark destination, reflecting the inexorable fate that awaits the crew. The film's conclusion, while appropriate, alludes to a larger story that has yet to be told. However, it's this unsettling ambiguity that ultimately serves the genre well, leaving room for speculation and further nightmares.

The Demeter's Last Voyage is a refreshing testament to the raw horror that lies at the heart of the genre. Embracing darkness and primal fears, the film evokes a gripping journey into terror, recalling the classics that made the vampire an immortal figure in horror history. Whether you're a seasoned horror fan or a casual viewer looking for an adrenaline rush, this film offers an unequivocally chilling journey that plunges its fangs deep into the essence of fear.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Directed by André Øvredal
Screenplay by Bragi Schut Jr., Zak Olkewicz
Story by Bragi Schut Jr.
Based on The Captain's Log from Dracula by Bram Stoker
Produced by Bradley J. Fischer, Mike Medavoy, Arnold W. Messner
Starring Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian
Cinematography : Tom Stern
Edited by Patrick Larsgaard
Music by Bear McCreary
Production companies : DreamWorks Pictures, Reliance Entertainment, Storyworks Productions, Studio Babelsberg, Phoenix Pictures, Wise Owl Media
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates : 11 August 2023 (United States),23 August 2023 (France)
Running time : 119 minutes

Seen August 24, 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 10 seat A18

Mulder's Mark:

Sarah-The-Witch's Review

Welcome aboard the Demeter for a direct crossing from the Carpathians to London! What a trip, you might say, and with no stopovers to speed things up! Gold ingots at stake. But watch out! There's still time to turn back: one foot to starboard or port without knowing in which direction you're going, and woe betide anyone who tries to escape! For the sailors hired in the first place to make the voyage have warned you by hastily leaving the boat before it sails out to sea. Why turn down so much gold for a crossing managed by a masterful captain? Because of a mysterious, suspicious crate left on board... After all his warnings, you still want to come with us? Then let's get on with it... but you've been warned....

Unlike Francis Ford Coppala's "Dracula", which presents the king of the vampires as half-demon, half-man, André Øvredal's "The Last Voyage of Demeter" presents him as half-demon, half-animal creature. This is a judicious choice on the part of the director, and lends meaning to this beast who has come aboard the Demeter without the captain's permission, like a stowaway rat looking for a feast during a sea crossing. Indeed, it's impossible for the characters to identify the origin of this evil that is gradually tearing them apart, eventually creating total panic. Even the rational Dr. Clemens (skilfully played by Corey Hawkins) understands that the crew is facing an unspeakable situation, which is eating away at them as it goes along. There's a nod to "Nosferatu the Vampire", showing Dracula as a shadow, a bloodthirsty monster who stealthily seeks out his prey, leaving no trace behind...

The extremely well-polished direction takes us into a terrifying eight clos. Shots are tight, even very tight (with the pleasure of seeing close-ups of the frightened reaction of our protagonists or of a bloodthirsty Dracula). The dark lighting throughout the film reduces our field of vision, and consequently that of the characters searching for the evil intruder aboard the ship. The special effects are just right, without any exaggeration. As for the actors (and actresses! There's one of them among all the men on board), they're impeccable, with an accuracy that quickly allows us to identify with each and every one of them. We shudder for them. Girl power" even takes place on the boat, with one of Count Dracula's first victims, whom he has brought back with him on this London adventure to sustenance along the way. Anna, played by Aisling Franciosi, is no slouch, and even if she can't put an end to the destiny that binds her to the Master of Darkness forever, she's determined to stop him in his demonic journey around the world.

In conclusion, "Demeter's Last Journey" handily earns its place in the series of films exploiting the vampire dark lord. Once the hunt for the monster is underway, the reel speeds up: the film's lead manages to ensnare us without a moment's pause, and with no doubts as to the gloomy events to come. A total success for genre cinema, leaving a most disquieting open ending... So, a final word of advice: run away in small steps like the rats on the ship did, at the risk of setting yourself on fire as you leave the theater...

Seen September 3, 2023 at UGC Ciné Cité Paris 19

Sarah-The-Witch's Mark: