7 Disturbing Lovecraftian Horror Movies You Should Check Out
What's up fellow film enthusiasts and welcome to another genre suggestions.
So in the last video, I covered the Cosmic Horror genre, and as promised this week's
video will be
on movies inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Aka Lovecraftian fiction.
Now Lovecraftian horror is, unfortunately, a somewhat cursed sub-genre. As it's films
are primarily
made by, enthusiasts, or influential directors who have little to work with due to budget
constraints. However, while a lot of the movies this week aren't precisely what I would call
big-budget blockbusters or loved by critics. I know that at least they will -hopefully
-be appreciated
by you guys. Oh and as a side note I'm restricting the number of movies directed by Stuart
Gordon to two. Otherwise, I would be forced to rename this video to - 7 Stuart Gordon
movies
featuring the works of HP Lovecraft. However if you think something like movies by directors
would
be a good idea for a future release, by all means let me know in the comments section
below.
So first up this week is�
The Haunted palace (1963)
Follows Charles Dexter Ward whose travelling with his wife to Arkham town to inspect a
house he
has just recently inherited from his great grandfather. A man 100 years ago, who was
"burned at
the stake" by the locals for being a devil worshiper.
Followed by a cold reception and blamed for a curse that was set on the villagers by his
grandfather. Unknowingly Ward's arrival helps his grandfather restart his evil ways, by
revenging
himself on the descendants of those who killed him.
Loosely based on the novel The Case of Charles Dexter Ward Roger Corman's The Haunted Palace
is one of those slightly underrated movies that have great acting and fun effects for
the time.
It's a d??nj??n genuinely scary film depending on the level of your suspension of disbelief
for
movies made during this period. But considering that, I honestly think this film has an excellent
ominous atmosphere.
Vincent Price is superb as the wronged warlock who wants revenge, and Corman's directing,
as per
usual is first-rate. I'd say the films only real weakness is its ending. Which I found
to be a little bit
disappointing, but besides from that The Haunted Palace is a creepy and fun experience.
The Resurrected (1991)
Set in Providence, Rhode Island. Clair ward enlists the help of a private detective to
find out what
her husband Charles is up to in a remote cabin. After the strange smells from his experiments
are
beginning to arouse the attention of the neighbours and local law enforcement.
Another take on Lovecrafts �The Strange Case of Charles Dexter Ward�.
I thought it would be fun to see what people think about comparing this version to the
1963
Roger Corman version, "The Haunted Palace".
As in my opinion, this is probably the best Lovecraft story adaptation in this selection.
And aside
from the necessary changes to bring this into the modern-day, it's worth checking out especially
for its scary moments and extreme gore.
Ok, it's not what I call a great film, by any means, as it's first act is rather dull.
However, besides
that, it's a very entertaining and a must-see for fans of Lovecraft.
Dagon
A successful businessman haunted by cryptic nightmares involving a mermaid. Is stranded
ashore
after a freak storm while on a boating vacation with his girlfriend. Paddling to a nearby
Spanish
fishing village the couple look for help. However, unfortunately for them, the town
is inhabited by a
unique race of people who are in the habit of sacrificing their guests to their god Dagon.
Another Stuart Gordon film with all the signature cheese you would expect. Dagon while probably
one of the weaker films in this weeks selection still provides us with a well-done atmospheric
chiller
that is both suspenseful and creepy.
Some might complain that this lacks the humorous elements of Gordons earlier work. However,
I'd
say on a more positive note that this is a more faithful adaptation to Lovecraft's work
than
something like reanimator.
I guess what I'm trying to say. Is that sometimes it's nice to have a faithful adaptation with
all the
elements of cosmic terror. Rather than a loose adaptation filled with over the top gore.
The Whisperer in darkness (2011)
Following a series of floods in Vermont, Albert Wilmarth, a folklore professor at an Arkham
University, investigates reports of unusual creatures rumoured to be floating in several
of the local
rivers. Wilmarth's investigation leads him to not only uncover more than he bargained
but horrors
quite beyond anything he ever thought imaginable. Leaving him in a dire situation to escape
his
new predicament with his sanity and life intact.
A black and white adaptation, filmed like a 1930s flick and made by the H.P.Lovecraft
Historical
Society. The Whisperer in darkness has very low budget special effects but considering
its sufficient
homage to 30's horror films it's not really a problem (well to me at least).
The only real weak point I can think off is its 3rd act and the overall monster design,
but
all things considered they did a good job, and it all fits in with the mood of the piece.
Besides
that The Whisperer in darkness is worth checking out for fans of Lovecraft or people who generally
like this period.
Necronomicon: Book of Dead (1993)
The movie is broken up into four separate stories, the first and last being called "The
Library" that
connects all the segments. The Library follows H.P. Lovecraft, who learns that the monastery
he
uses for research has a copy of the Necronomicon. Wanting to find it to use it for his writings
Lovecraft outwits the monks who guard it and with a bit of luck manages to get his hands
on the
book. But what Lovecraft doesn't realise is that this isn't just an ordinary book with
ordinary pages.
An enjoyable film with some decent adaptations of Lovecraft's works. Necronomicon: Book of
Dead
is one of those B-movie(ish) horror flicks, with cheesy acting & dialogue. However, while
its stories
are quite inconsistent, it makes up for it with some cool practical effects and fun acting.
Ok sure it
has a low budget & its over the top gore might be a turn off for some.
But, Jeffrey Combs portrayal of Lovecraft as an alternative version of Indiana-Jones.
For me, made
the film that little bit more entertaining.
Re-Animator (1985)
The film follows Dan, a dedicated medical student, who requires a new housemate.
Accepting a fellow medical student with a mysterious background, up until this point,
life for Dan is
pretty straightforward. That is until he and his girlfriend. Unwittingly become involved
in his new
housemate's freakish experiments. Involving their recently deceased cat's corpse and a
strange
fluorescent liquid.
A film that I've already covered in my Sci-fi horror video, but just couldn't ignore for
this list.
Re-Animator is loosely based on the short story "Herbert West�Reanimator" and is filled
with all the
overacting and cheese. You'd ever want from an eighties horror flick.
Barbara Crampton and Jeffery
Combs steal the show by amplifying the films already odd, weirdly creepy and entertainingly
funny
Premise. Now while some of you won't find it that funny and will think it's gore looks
a little dated.
Re-Animator however, still remains an absolutely fabulous example of body horror that perfectly
blends black and deadpan humour together with the gruesomely horrific.
The Curse (1987)
Weird things begin to happen to God-fearing farmer Nathan Crane and his family. Following
a
meteorite that crashes near their farm during a storm. With his stepson Zac convinced that
this
meteorite is connected to these strange plague-like events that are affecting the crops and life
within the
area. Will Nathan listen to his stepson's worries before its too late?
My troll pick for this week and the perfect movie to torment Vegans. Yes, the Curse is
a low budget
film with cheesy acting. But as it stars one very young Wil Wheaton aka Wesly
Crusher it gets a bonus point. "shut up Wesly."
Now I know that most Lovecraft's adaptations aren't that great, but I happened to like
this one.
Not because of its terrible acting, messy directing and hilariously lousy dialogue.
But due to been
one of those so bad it's good films - so much so that I couldn't resist the opportunity
to put it in.
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7 Disturbing Lovecraftian Horror Movies You Should Check Out