The Last Voyage Of The Demeter (2023)

A merchant ship called the Demeter picks up cargo in Bulgaria that is to be transported to London. But what that cargo contains will prove the ship's destruction. Based on a chapter in DRACULA by Bram Stoker ("The Captain's Log") and directed by Andre Ovredal (AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE). Despite the film's mixed reviews, I'd heard some positive things about this horror riff on the Stoker novel so I was looking forward to it. Alas, it's a major disappointment! This attempt to rewrite Bram Stoker is a ripoff of ALIEN (1979) set on a merchant ship instead of a salvage ship in outer space. If you've read the Stoker novel, you know where this is going although the screenplay deviates from Stoker and sets it up so it's sequel ready (the movie flopped so hopefully we'll be spared). The film is filled with cliches like the female stowaway (Aisling Franciosi), I thought that cliche went out in the 1950s and the "adorable" cabin boy (Woody Norman). The movie zigzags toward the obvious predestination with a lack of suspense. The best thing about this mess is Liam Cunningham as the ship's Captain, the only authentic performance and character. With Corey Hawkins, David Dastmalchian and Javier Botet.