The Lovecraftian Influence
These are 12 films that, in my opinion, are Lovecraftian in mood, nature, and atmosphere. Note, while these films are not based on Lovecraft works, they give the appearance of what I refer to as, "The Lovecraft Effect."
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- DirectorJeremy GillespieSteven KostanskiStarsAaron PooleKenneth WelshEllen WongShortly after delivering a patient to an understaffed hospital, a police officer experiences strange and violent occurrences seemingly linked to a group of mysterious hooded figures.The two film makers here are paying homage to John Carpenter's film, "The Prince of Darkness." This is cosmic horror to the 10th Power plus contains many elements that Lovecraft utilized in his stories, i.e. eldritch gods, other dimensions, outer worldly beings etc. Granted, this film seems to copy Prince frame by frame, this film will shake you to your core, as it did me. Its a must see!
- DirectorClive BarkerStarsAndrew RobinsonClare HigginsAshley LaurenceA woman discovers the newly resurrected, partially formed, body of her brother-in-law and lover. She starts killing for him to revitalize his body and escape the demonic beings that are pursuing him after he escaped their underworld.Clive Barker bringing his terrifying novella to life with Lovecraftian elements of elder-like beings. In addition, Barker is considered to be a Lovecraftian as well and it shows not only in this film adaption, which he directed but also in the novella he wrote that this film is based on. It was written in a style very similar to Lovecraft. Note, should you ever have the opportunity, read the novella this film is based on called, "The Hellbound Heart."
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsRon PerlmanDoug JonesSelma BlairA demon raised from infancy after being conjured by and rescued from the Nazis, grows up to become a defender against the forces of darkness.Though many don't consider this film to be cosmic horror, it does contain elements that are characteristic to cosmic horror. I would describe this film as Hell being unleashed on earth with tentacled beings, aka Cthulhu. In addition, this film also discusses other dimensions and outer worldly beings.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsSigourney WeaverTom SkerrittJohn HurtThe crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin.While the film and its sequel, Aliens, are considered Sci-Fi, this is Cosmic horror at its best. The elements of cosmic horror in this include claustrophobia, elder outer worldly beings, not to mention the feeling of helplessness are all here.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsKurt RussellWilford BrimleyKeith DavidA research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.John Carpenter, a self-described Lovecraftian in every sense of the word, uses many elements that are found in Lovecraftian works to pay homage to the author. Here, Carpenter remakes one of his favorite Sci-Fi films from his childhood, "The Thing From Another World." This film is the first in the Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsDonald PleasenceLisa BlountJameson ParkerA group of graduate students and scientists uncover an ancient canister in an abandoned church, but when they open the container, they inadvertently unleash a strange liquid and an evil force on all humanity.Carpenter opening up the gates of hell and unleashing Hell on earth at an old church. Many Lovecraftian elements include elder beings from another dimension, feelings of helplessness, and madness. Second in the Apocalypse Trilogy.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsSam NeillJürgen ProchnowJulie CarmenAn insurance investigator begins discovering that the impact a horror writer's books have on his fans is more than inspirational.Carpenter creating endless time loops and dimensions. Author Sutter Kane is Lovecraft personified. The title is lifted from Lovecraft's story, "At the Mountains of Madness." The third and final film in Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy.
- DirectorNick SzostakiwskyjStarsShane TwerdunMichael DicksonCarl ToftfeltAt a cold, desolate, northmost outpost in Canada, an archaeological discovery is made. A specialist arrives Nov. 1. Strange things happen. All contact with the outside world is down.This film is what you get when you combine Alien with The Shining as well as John Carpenter's The Thing. Many Lovecraftian elements and themes such as madness, self mutilation, and elder deities can found in this film. Its also in the spirit of Lovecraft's story, At the Mountains of Madness.
- DirectorJack ArnoldStarsRichard CarlsonJulie AdamsRichard DenningA strange prehistoric beast lurks in the depths of the Amazonian jungle. A group of scientists try to capture the animal and bring it back to civilization for study.One common theme Lovecraft used in his stories was Genetic mutation. One common mutation was that of sea creatures that mated with human women to create a race of Gill Men (The Shadow Over Innsmouth), which is what the Creature is. These gill men could walk on land and live and breath underwater. His main objective and motivation in this film and its two sequels it spawned were to hunt down women, possibly for pro-creation though the films never tells us that. This film and its sequels would explain the existence of the Gill Man as a creature that could be a missing link between man and sea creatures that never evolved.
- DirectorStephen CarpenterJeffrey ObrowStarsRod SteigerKim HunterDavid Allen BrooksA geneticist takes his assistants to his old family home to locate the deadly product of his late mother's revolutionary research into rapid human evolution--his monstrous, tentacled baby brother--before a mad scientist gets to him first.Another common theme that can be found in Lovecraft works is the science of Alchemy. While the Lovecraft story, The Case of Charles Dexter Ward would explore Alchemy, another Lovecraft story, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, would explore genetic mutation. In this film, the two Lovecraftian themes are woven together to tell the tale of a scientist who conducted scientific experiments with the assistance of Alchemy. While this film was very unusual for its day, to see the progeny that was created with no CGI was terrifying.
- DirectorAdam GreenStarsRay WiseAdam GreenWill BarrattA documentary exploring genre based monster art takes an odd turn when the filmmakers are contacted by a man who claims he can prove that monsters are indeed real.When watching this film, it reminds me of Lovecraft's, "The Whisperer in Darkness," which is why it makes this list. It starts very slowly as the tension builds and weaves a story that would make Lovecraft proud. This low-budget film weaves many Lovecraftian elements, which include outer-worldly beings and helplessness.
- DirectorBrendan MuldowneyStarsElisha CuthbertEoin MackenAbby FitzKeira Woods' daughter mysteriously vanishes in the cellar of their new house. She soon discovers there is an ancient and powerful entity controlling their home that she will have to face or risk losing her family's souls forever.During his lifetime, Lovecraft was not into the occult or satanism and yet, these two themes keep appearing in many films that use elements of Lovecraft and The Cellar is no exception. This film discusses alchemy, elder beings, and other dimensions.
In addition, The Cellar has a sense of dread, which is felt the moment the action begins. There's also that sense of helplessness that can be felt in Lovecraftain stories as well.