Based on the seventh chapter of Dracula Of Bram Stoker, a classic of horror literature, Demeter – the awakening of Dracula it does not live up to the fame of its vampire protagonist. The film, premiering this evening on Rai 4 at 9.20pm, transforms the fascinating legend of the count into a B movie with a rather mediocre script. A cast of little-known actors and with little appeal he is unable to save the little that can be saved, making the monster of darkness more likable than expected, tacitly inviting the audience to root for him.
Demeter – the awakening of Draculaplot and film previews on Rai 4 today 12 November
England, 1897. The Demeter, merchant ship of Russian nationality, disappeared into thin air 4 weeks after its departure from the port of Varna, she is found stuck among the rocks off Whitby. There are no crew members on board, nor a clue that could reveal what may have happened to the crew. Perhaps, the truth about the shipwreck is hidden in Captain Elliot’s logbook, (Liam Cunningham), an involuntary witness to the event.
Bulgaria, Varna city, 4 weeks earlier. In the small port of the Bulgarian merchant city, the Demeter is about to embark on a great expedition composed of over 50 wooden crates. Their destination is London but the crew’s departure is very late. The blame for this inconvenience lies with the Romanian porters of Varna. After unloading the bulky goods, they refused to carry them on board, with the justification of having to return to their homes strictly by sunset. In exchange for their incomprehensible gesture, they offered a lot of money as compensation.
At the same time Clemens (Corey Hawkins), a young doctor from Oxford University, he hears that the captain is looking for new personnel. He presents himself to be hired but an older sailor is preferred. Destiny, however, has other plans. The new hire suddenly knocks over one of the crates. He appears visibly upset when faced with the drawing of a dragon engraved on the wood, communicating that it is a sign of bad omen. The captain’s nephew is involved in the accident and is promptly treated by Clemens. His gesture wins the sympathy of Elliot, who welcomes him on board.
“Demeter – the awakening of Dracula” (Ipa Agency)
Dracula, the doctor and the girl
During the crossing, Clemens has the feeling that there is something very strange about that mysterious cargo. Suddenly one of the crates, which turns out to be a coffin, opens showing its contents: a woman at the end of her life. Clemens does everything to save her. With a blood transfusion he manages to stop what he believes to be an infection. During navigation, the sailors of the Demeter have the impression of seeing strange presences wandering through the fog on the ship. The situation worsens when the animals on board inexplicably begin to die.
The captain blames a sudden epidemic. Making matters worse is the revelation of Anna (Aisling Franciosi)the young woman saved by Clemens. Waking up from a coma, inform everyone that on board, in one of the coffins, the infamous Count Dracula could be hidingcoming from Transylvania. She is one of his victims. A young woman originally from the monster’s county, given to him as a sacrifice by the inhabitants of her village, in the hope of being spared from his blind violence. Soon, the bloodthirsty count comes out into the open, killing many sailors and turning others into vampires.
The survivors are forced to sink the ship to prevent the enemy from arriving in London, thus risking infecting the population. The only one miraculously the young doctor survived the feat. After managing to save himself by swimming to the English capital, Clemens takes refuge in a tavern in the port, believing that he was now safe from the vampire. Will it really be like this?
Corey Hawkins and Aisling Franciosi in “Demeter – Dracula Awakens” (Ipa Agency)
Demeter – the awakening of Draculareview and cast
Despite the undoubted appeal of the timeless legend of Dracula, the 2023 film, directed by Norwegian director and screenwriter André Øvredal (Autopsy), it was a resounding flop at the box office. He didn’t fare any better with the critics, who he defined Demeter – the awakening of Dracula, as a B Movie with terrible special effects. Yet, the legend of Bram Stoker continues to attract audiences and the world of cinema.
Impossible not to mentionamong the recent releases, the king of box office receipts Dracula – lost love by Luc Besson or the gothic tale of Nosferatu by director Robert Eggers. Works that they have nothing to do with this cassette horrorwhich promises emotions but fails to find any original key to telling a timeless story. The problem, perhaps, lies in the long production wait. For unclear reasons, the film had to wait over 20 years from its conception to theatrical release.
The cast of actors, not particularly well known and little in part, he does what he can to make an incomplete screenplay and dialogue lacking cohesion believable. Corey Hawkins (The color purple) is a dull and not very incisive doctor. The Italian Irish Aisling Franciosi (Game of Thrones), in the role of Anna, is perhaps the most interesting character in the entire film. The best is undoubtedly Javier Botet Lópezthe actor who hides in the guise of Dracula.