Since its publication in 1897, Bram Stoker’s horror classic,Dracula, has inspired countless movies, television shows, books, short stories, and video games. These countless titles have covered just about every aspect of Stoker’s epistolary novel, some as faithful adaptation and some less direct in their connection to the famous literary vampire.Indeed,Draculais one of the most thoroughly film-adapted novels of all time.
One chapter often gets left to the wayside, however, even amidstDracula’s multifarious film treatments. A brief segment of the novel called “The Captain’s Log,” wherein a nameless captain chronicles his gradual discovery of Dracula’s murderous presence aboard his ship, does not regularly make it to the silver screen. Luckily, that seldom depicted passage is coming to theaters in August 2023 with the release ofThe Last Voyage of the Demeter. To prepare for the film’s arrival, it’s time to watch some of the bestDraculaadaptations, as well as some that touch on this esoteric region of Dracula’s legend.
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Bram Stoker’s Dracula(1992)
Many fans considerBram Stoker’s Dracula(1992), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the definitiveDraculaadaptation. Gary Oldman sets the bar with his performance as Count Dracula, even as he must fill the shoes ofsuch legendary actors as Bela Lugosiand Christopher Lee. Viewers should expect a faithful and well-executed adaptation with a star-studded cast—including Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder, and Keanu Reeves—that delivers a classic retellingDracula.With respect to the newestDraculamovie, Coppola’s timeless rendition offers a solid footing for anyone unfamiliar with the main character and plot of the narrative. Watch this one for the canonical picture before venturing forth on the Demeter this August.
Midnight Mass(2021)
The Netflix “Flanaverse” of horror miniseries has risen to great heights in recent years with the release filmmaker Mike Flanagan’sThe Haunting of Hill House(2018),The Haunting of Bly Manor(2020), andThe Midnight Club(2022). One of Flanagan’s more unique projects, a break from his usual “haunting” fare, ishis 2021 miniseriesMidnight Mass.This short but effective series centers on a remote island town that begins to experience various horrors and miracles alike with the arrival of a new and charming priest, Father Paul (Hamish Linklater). While not a directDraculaadaptation, certain design choices and story elements ofMidnight Mass(not detailed here for spoiler prevention) absolutely draw from and contribute to the world ofDraculamedia. Fans should give it a watch on Netflix for a glimpse at what to expect from some ofThe Last Voyage of the Demeter’s aesthetic choices.
Dracula Untold(2014)
Dracula Untold(2014), by director Gary Shore,renders Dracula as an action/fantasy flick. It presents Count Dracula as the young and honorable lord Vlad Tepes (Luke Evans) seeking to protect his kingdom from Turkish invaders. In the name of said quest, Vlad turns himself over to the power of an ancient cave-dwelling evil willing to give him enormous power at great risk to his own soul. Obviously, Vlad takes the deal, becomingthe legendary vampire fans know and love—albeit more altruistic and handsome. While this retelling of Dracula’s origin story blatantly diverges from the canon, it raises the question of his inherent evil. Going into the next film, viewers might ask themselves whether the monster they now see tearing through sailors has always lacked a human soul.
The Strain(2014-2017)
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s television seriesThe Strain(2014-2017) imagines vampirism as a parasitic disease. CDC official Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) must combat its spread through New York City, as people begin transforming into mindless, blood-hungry creatures called strigoi. The vampire epidemic is no accident, however; an intelligent monster called The Master pulls the stringsvia hive mind telepathy. The Master resembles Dracula in many ways, not the least of which being his overseas journey to NYC during which he murders the entirety of a ship’s crew. Fans eager to get their fill of that particular trope need look no further thanThe Strain.
Renfield(2023)
Nicolas Cage has long wanted to play Dracula on screen, and in 2023 director Chris McKay granted his wish with the release of the comedy horror movieRenfield. This time, Dracula’s servant R. M. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) becomes the focal point of the narrative. Renfield becomes something like a superhero, capable of feats of superhuman strength and speed that he begins to use in defence of the innocent. Displeased with this humanitarian turn, and upset at the prospect of losing the object of his serial abuse, Dracula decides to punish Renfield by waging war on humanity. WatchRenfieldfor a look into a little-discussed figure in Dracula’s story, though it must be said thatCage’s performance as Dracula steals the show.
Dracula, the BBC Miniseries (2020)
For a wittier interpretation of theDraculaexperience, fans ofsuch shows asDoctor WhoandSherlockought to check out the BBC’s 2020 miniseries,Dracula.Creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat bring their hallmark razor-sharp storytelling to bear as they build out the events of Dracula’s life in this fresh and entertaining three-episode series. In anticipation ofThe Last Voyage of the Demeter, audiences will find the second episode particularly worth their time, as it depicts Dracula murdering his fellow passengers aboard that selfsame ship.
Dracula(1931)
Of course, anyone who has yet to do so must the Universal Pictures monster movie that started it all: the original 1931Dracula.Gary Oldman may have become Dracula’s face in the 90s, butBela Lugosi will forever represent the golden ageof black-and-white horror cinema. That said, viewers should temper their expectations somewhat on account of its age. Moreover, the 1931 adaptation is not known for its accuracy with respect to the novel.Draculafans do, nonetheless, acknowledge Lugosi as the immortal face of the legendary bloodsucker, and viewers would be remiss to pass it over before seeingThe Last Voyage of the Demeter.
The Last Voyage of the Demeterwill premiere in theaters July 07, 2025.
