In the ever-evolving world of cinematic horror, a new film has emerged, promising a fresh perspective on the age-old tale of Dracula. Titled “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” this film delves into the vampire lord’s journey to London, a narrative inspired by the seventh chapter of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, “Captain’s Log”. The chapter paints a haunting picture of the merchant ship, the Demeter, as it embarks on a treacherous voyage from the Black Sea port of Varna to Whitby, England.
The Last Voyage Of The Demeter Movie Poster
Directed by the talented André Øvredal, the film boasts a star-studded cast with Liam Cunningham, Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, and David Dastmalchian taking the lead. Stepping into the formidable shoes of Dracula is Javier Botet, joining an elite group of actors like Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, and Gary Oldman who have previously portrayed the iconic character.
The film has garnered attention, especially from the horror community’s giants. Stephen King, the mastermind behind classics like “It” and “The Shining,” shared his thoughts, saying: “I was doubtful about THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER, but it’s a throat-ripping good time. It reminded me of the best of the Hammer movies from the Sixties and Seventies.” Such praise from King is no small feat for any horror production.
Equally enthusiastic, Guillermo del Toro, the visionary behind masterpieces like “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Shape of Water,” exclaimed: “I enjoyed Last Voyage of the Demeter so much: gorgeous, lavish and savage!!”
However, not all reviews have been glowing. Despite the commendations from King and del Toro, the film has a somewhat lukewarm 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Kristen Lopez, a critic for The Wrap, pointed out a potential flaw, noting: “There’s just nothing about this interpretation of the character that makes him stand out as Count Dracula versus just another standard vampire.” Echoing a similar sentiment, Johnny Oleksinski from the New York Post wittily remarked: “Bram Stoker wrote Dracula 126 years ago — somehow, Hollywood is still screwing it up.”
The film’s box-office performance during its opening weekend appears to reflect the mixed reviews, garnering just $6.5 million. To put this into context, “The Last Voyage of the Demeter“ was produced on a budget of $45 million. Whether the film will etch its mark as a timeless classic or simply become another addition to the vast sea of horror films is yet to be determined.
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