The legend of Dracula is born.|Aug. 09, 2023|Germany|119 Min.|R
Genre: Fantasy;Horror
Description: “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” a 2023 horror film, has now been released for home viewing after a disappointing box office performance, grossing only $15 million worldwide. Directed by André Øvredal, known for films like “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” and “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” the movie takes a serious approach to the Dracula mythos, moving away from the comedic tone of “Renfield.” It adapts a single chapter from Bram Stoker’s classic novel, “The Captain’s Log,” presenting a Hammer-style horror tale set at sea. This marks a unique take on the chapter, as it has never been adapted in this way before.
Unfortunately, the film continues a trend of financial underperformance for Universal’s attempts to revive its classic monsters. Recent releases like “The Wolfman” (2010), “Dracula Untold” (2014), “The Mummy” (2017), and now “Renfield” and “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” have struggled to reignite audience interest in these iconic characters. The future of the Universal Monsters franchise remains uncertain, but its 2020 hit, “The Invisible Man,” directed by Leigh Whannell, offers a potential blueprint for success. Made on a modest $7 million budget, the film demonstrated that smaller-scale, innovative horror projects can thrive.
Looking ahead, Universal is planning another monster-themed film, an untitled project directed by Radio Silence (known for “Ready or Not” and “Scream”), which reportedly explores the story of Dracula’s Daughter.
Cast director: André Øvredal
Cast actor: Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian, Chris Walley, Jon Jon Briones, Stefan Kapičić, Martin Furulund, Nikolai Nikolaeff, Woody Norman
Original name: The Last Voyage of the Demeter