What if you went to sea in a ship… With a vampire? Arriving on November 23 on the platform, a film mixing horror and fantasy has established itself as a must-see on Netflix in France. In just a few days, it has established itself among the most viewed titles in France, surpassing new releases like “The Merry Gentlemen”, an expected romance, and “Please excuse us for the inconvenience”, a French comedy with Artus .
A cursed ship on the open sea
An unexpected success which could give new life to this work which seemed condemned to oblivion. This is “The Last Voyage of the Demeter”, a film not recommended for under 16s. Adapted from a chapter of the famous novel “Dracula” by Bram Stoker, this feature film, by André Øvredal, is experiencing a real resurrection after its failure at the box office.
Inspired by the chapter “Logbook of the Demeter”, the film takes us on the Demeter, a merchant ship transporting a mysterious cargo from the Carpathians to London. As the crew begins their journey, strange events occur, decimating the sailors night after night. A merciless presence attacks the ship, plunging the survivors into a desperate fight for their lives.
If the story is set in the universe of Dracula, “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” offers a unique rereading, centered on the claustrophobic anxiety of being behind closed doors at sea. Through careful aesthetics and a terrifying creature, Norwegian director André Øvredal (“The Troll Hunter”, “Mortal”) delivers a gripping story that maintains constant tension.
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To play the members of the Demeter, the film brings together renowned actors. Corey Hawkins (“The Walking Dead”) shares the screen with David Dastmalchian (“Oppenheimer”) and Javier Botet, known for his disturbing roles in “Conjuring 2” and “It.” “Game of Thrones” fans will also find Liam Cunningham, aka Davos Mervault, and Aisling Franciosi, who played Lyanna Stark.
Despite this promising cast, the film struggled to convince in theaters in August 2023, totaling only 134,000 admissions in France and $21 million in worldwide revenue for a budget of $45 million. Faced with this failure, Universal quickly opted for streaming, allowing “Last Voyage of the Demeter” to enjoy a second life on Netflix.
For fans of vampire stories, “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” offers a fascinating dive into the world of Dracula, while the highly anticipated “Nosferatu”, a remake of the great 1922 classic, by Robert Eggers, is planned in theaters on December 25, 2024.
