Film Review: "The Last Voyage of the Demeter" (2023).

"The legend of Dracula is born" in The Last Voyage of the Demeter. This supernatural horror film directed by André Øvredal, adapted by Bragi F. Schut Jr. and Zak Olkewicz, and based on the section, Log of the Demeter, from the 1897 horror literary classic Dracula by Bram Stoker. Strange and horrifying events befall the doomed crew as they attempt to survive the ocean voyage from Transylvania to London, stalked each night by a merciless presence onboard the ship: a legendary vampire known as Dracula. When the Demeter finally arrives off the shores of England, it is a charred, derelict wreck. There is no trace of the crew.

While working at a model shop in Hollywood, Schut Jr. befriended a colleague who worked on Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992). Schut Jr. took interest in a miniature of the Demeter used for the film and began writing an Alien-inspired film based on the chilling section. In 2003, Phoenix Pictures acquired the film and hired Robert Schwentke to direct and rewrite the script with Mitch Brian. In December 2006, James V. Hart completed a new draft of the script. By May 2009, Schwentke departed the film and Marcus Nispel was hired as his replacement. Production was slated to begin that year. However, due to complications, Nispel departed the project. By March 2010, the studio hired Stefan Ruzowitzky to direct. In October, further revisions were penned by producer Bradley Fischer, and Noomi Rapace and Ben Kingsley were attached to star. Ruzowitzky would ultimately exit the film in favor of taking on Deadfall (2012). In February 2011, David Slade was hired to direct. In March, Rapace ultimately dropped out of the film due to her impending commitments to Prometheus (2012). In May 2012, Neil Marshall and Millenium Films boarded the film to direct and produce. Novelist Lowell Cauffiel was hired to pen further rewrites. By June, Viggo Mortensen was attached to star, with Kingsley still attached. Marshall left the project. In October 2019, it was announced Øvredal was ultimately hired to direct the film with Amblin Partners obtaining the rights. In January 2021, Corey Hawkins was attached to star with a new draft penned by Olkewicz. By late June 2021, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian, Woody Norman, Jon Jon Briones, Stefan Kapičić, Nikolai Nikolaeff, and Javier Botet rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in early October. Filming took place at Babelsberg Studio in Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany and in Mdina, Malta. In April 2022, Thomas Newman was originally announced as composer for the film. However, in June 2023, Newman left the project due to scheduling conflicts, and Bear McCreary was hired to serve as his replacement. The film was previously scheduled for a January 27, 2023 release date, but was delayed to August 11.

The naturalism of the performances and the dialogue served only to accentuate the horror of the supernatural game of cat and mouse.

I adore this movie. It's a movie that has engaging characters, an incredible creature, and it's incredibly scary. It's one of Øvredal's best films.

Simon says The Last Voyage of the Demeter receives:

Also, see my review for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.