*In the realm of horror cinema, few figures are as iconic as Dracula, the undead aristocrat who has haunted our imaginations for generations. This year, director Andre Overhal takes on the challenge of reimagining this beloved character in the Universal vampire horror film “The Last Voyage of the Demeter.” In an exclusive interview with EUR, Overhal provides insights into the film’s development, its expansion from Bram Stoker’s original narrative, and the creative use of space to build tension and terror.
At its core, “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” follows the ill-fated journey of the merchant ship Demeter, transporting 50 mysterious unmarked crates to London. However, as the crew sets sail, they find themselves caught up in a nightmarish struggle for survival as Dracula’s haunting presence takes over the ship.
The film stars Cory Hawkins (“The Heights,” “Straight Outta Compton,”) as “Clemmens,” a Black British doctor who happens aboard the Demeter by chance.
This new take on the classic tale promises to reveal a side of Dracula rarely explored – downtrodden and starving, shedding light on his transformation into the fearsome figure we know.
When asked about adapting such an iconic IP as Dracula’s story, Overhal acknowledges the challenge of working with sparse source material like the Captain’s log from the original novel. He emphasizes the need to breathe life into the characters, making them relatable and sympathetic while crafting a portrayal of Dracula that diverges from the suave aristocrat we’ve seen.
“I wanted to make a movie where you see Dracula as something new that you haven’t seen before,” explains Overhal, hinting at the film’s fresh perspective.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the film’s approach is its use of space to generate tension. With much of the action confined to the ship, Overhal used the power of the environment to intensify the sense of dread. Drawing inspiration from photography and visualization, he creates an atmosphere where the audience can’t fully trust what they see. “There has to be a lot of darkness; there has to be a lot of spaces that you can lead the audience to look and feel tension,” Overhal said. The manipulation of space becomes a tool to guide audience perception and foster suspense, often by revealing selective information to heighten intrigue.
“The Last Voyage of the Demeter” is in theatres this weekend.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Listen to her live, weeknights 9 PM-Midnight on KBLA Talk 1580. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com
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