“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” H.P Lovecraft
H.P Lovecraft is a name that many horror fan’s know. Born in 1890 Howard Phillips Lovecraft did not live to see the praise or popularity his works gained. Regarded by many as the true master of horror, the effects of Lovecraft and his vision of terror can be felt in many scary movies and books to this day.
“The Void” has recently been released to high levels of praise. The movie has drawn many comparisons to Lovecraft’s tales of other worlds and monsters beyond our comprehension. For those that aren’t certain the term Lovecraftian can be defined as follows; “Lovecraftian (adjective) Frighteningly monstrous and otherworldly.” If you’re looking for a movie with horrifying creatures from beyond after watching “The Void” these are the ones for you.
The Thing (1982)
“The Thing” is often hailed as a Lovecraftian masterpiece and it’s easy to see why. John Carpenter creates a high tension movie set in the antarctic. As a virus works through a team of scientists at an Antarctic research base turning them into monstrous creatures the tension and paranoia build to a terrifying conclusion. “The Thing” has it all, tentacle monsters, isolated location and creatures that push the limits of sanity. Kurt Russel excels as R.J Macready and the movie boasts impressive special FX, makeup and a chilling soundtrack.
Although it was classed as a critical failure upon release the movie has since become a cult classic. Carpenter classes this as the first in his Apocalypse Trilogy. “The Prince of Darkness” and “In The Mouth Of Madness” also draw heavily from Lovecraftian lore and sit comfortably in the series.
From Beyond (1986)
Based on a seven-page short story by H.P Lovecraft “From Beyond” is a firm fan favorite. After creating a machine to stimulate the pineal gland and enhance the senses a group of scientists unwitting open a door to another world. This movie has all the trademark Lovecraft markers. Characters are pushed beyond the limits of Sanity? Check. Monsters from beyond? Check. Punishment for pushing the boundaries of science? Check. The cast of the movie might look familiar to horror fans as they had all previously starred in another Lovecraft movie “The Re-Animator”
. The Mist (2007)
One of the more divisive films this list. People either love the movie for its bold choices or hate it due to the bleak tones. Based on a 200-page novella by Stephen King “The Mist” follows the nightmarish journey of a group of people trapped in a grocery store trying to survive creatures who live in “The Mist”. The origins of the monsters are never explained and whilst it’s easy to view them as the villains, it’s actually the other humans who pose a larger threat. With a TV show on the way to further expand on the tale, this is certainly worth a re-watch.
Banshee Chapter (2013)
https://youtu.be/lhrYDiaSo_s
When Anna’s friend goes missing she embarks on a nightmarish journey into government drug trials, disfigured entities in the night and mysterious radio transmissions. Katia Winter shines in this low-budget horror. Through clever camera work and a script that builds tension until the final moments nothing is what it seems. “Banshee Chapter” is a must for any fan of Lovecraft’s works.
Dagon (2001)
Based on the H.P Lovecraft story “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”, this 2001 flick is one of the closest representations of Lovecraft’s work. Paul Marsh and his girlfriend Barbra must search for help after a boating accident. Upon arriving in a small decrepit fishing village they come face to face with evil as they attempt to survive the horrors in the waters. Much like the others on the list, it is a low-budget affair relying on special effects instead of CGI. “Dagon” shows the audience the true depth of horrors that fan of H.P Lovecraft can expect.
This is only a small sample of Lovecraft related movies available. Is your favorite on the list? Let us know in the comments below.
