Universal Pictures fails to revive the classic movie monsters with “The Last Voyage of the Demeter”

The classic movie monsters of Universal Pictures, such as “Frankenstein” (1931) by James Whale and “Dracula” (1931) with Bela Lugosi, have a dark magic that is hard to replicate. The studio’s recent attempts to revive these iconic creatures have been disastrous, as evidenced by the 2017 flop “The Mummy” starring Tom Cruise.

The latest film, “The Last Voyage of the Demeter“, is based on the most terrifying parts of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, but it also fails to deliver any lasting scares.

The film follows the doomed journey of the Demeter, but lacks logic and suspense

The plot of “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” is simple enough: a ship called the Demeter carries a mysterious cargo from Romania to England in the 1800s, but something sinister lurks on board. However, the film suffers from illogical and inconsistent actions by the characters, which prevent the audience from being fully immersed in the story.

For example, as the crew members are attacked by an unseen force at night, one wonders why they don’t take more precautions during the day to protect themselves. It is obvious that the source of the trouble is the heavy and strange boxes in the cargo hold, which contain soil, a cane, and even a person who warns them of the “evil” on board.

Yet, they don’t bother to destroy or dispose of them, even after breaking them open.

Dracula is reduced to a generic monster, missing the opportunity to explore his complex character

The film also misses the opportunity to explore the character of Dracula, who is reduced to a generic winged demon. Unlike Stoker’s novel or Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 masterpiece “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”, which featured a brilliant and eccentric performance by Gary Oldman, this film does not show any of Dracula’s human or complex aspects.

The only memorable scene involving Dracula is a bold and shocking one in the middle of the film, but it is not enough to save “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” from being a mediocre horror movie.

The film lacks the visual and atmospheric elements that make Dracula lore so captivating

Another aspect that the film neglects is the visual and atmospheric elements that make Dracula lore so captivating. The film could have used more Gothic and occult imagery, as seen in Coppola’s film, to create a more immersive and eerie experience. The only time the film tries something different is at the end, when a sea fog envelops the ship, but it feels too overdone and out of place.

The cast tries their best, but cannot save the film from being a boring and predictable horror flick

The director of “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” is André Øvredal, who made an impressive debut with “Troll Hunter” (2010), a Norwegian fable. The film stars Corey Hawkins (Dr. Dre in “Straight Outta Compton”) as the hero who is also a doctor, sailor, and father figure to a child on board.

The cast also includes David Dastmalchian (Polka-Dot Man in “The Suicide Squad”) and Liam Cunningham (from “Game of Thrones”). However, despite their efforts, they cannot save the film from being a boring and predictable horror flick that consists of creaking noises and blood-sucking deaths.

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FAQs

Q: Is “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” worth watching?

A: Reviews are mixed, with some praising the film’s atmosphere and bold moments while others criticize its lack of logic, character development, and visual flair. If you’re looking for a faithful adaptation of the most terrifying parts of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” with a complex portrayal of the vampire, you might be disappointed. However, if you’re a fan of atmospheric horror with some suspenseful moments, it might be worth checking out.

Q: Is “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” the next “Dracula”?

A: No, it’s not on the same level as classic Dracula films like Bela Lugosi’s 1931 version or Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 masterpiece. This film focuses on the ship’s journey and lacks the depth and character exploration of Dracula himself.

Q: What are the biggest criticisms of the film?

A: Critics mainly point to:

• Unlogical and inconsistent character actions: Crew members make questionable decisions despite the obvious danger aboard.
• Generic portrayal of Dracula: He lacks the human and complex aspects from the novel and previous films.
• Lack of Gothic atmosphere and visual elements: The film doesn’t fully capture the dark and eerie setting of Dracula lore.
• Predictable horror clichés: Jumpscares and gore are present, but not particularly innovative.

Q: Who is the director and cast of “The Last Voyage of the Demeter”?

A: The film is directed by André Øvredal (“Troll Hunter”) and stars Corey Hawkins, David Dastmalchian, and Liam Cunningham.

Q: Where can I watch “The Last Voyage of the Demeter”?

A: Currently, the film is only available in theaters. It might be available on streaming platforms in the future.