Pickman's Muse (2010)

An artist, Robert Pickman, becomes obsessed by visions of unworldly horror, revealed to him through an ancient artifact discovered in an abandoned church.

Director:

Robert Cappelletto

Writers:

Robert Cappelletto, H.P. Lovecraft (inspired by "Haunter of the Dark")

Stars:

Barret Walz, Maurice McNicholas, Tom Lodewyck

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barret Walz	...	Robert Pickman
Maurice McNicholas	...	Dr. Dexter
Tom Lodewyck	...	Goodie Hines
Joyce Porter	...	Land Lady
Mike Dobray	...	Richard
Edy Cullen	...	Niece
Steve Leamy	...	Security Guard 1
Jeff Yeazel	...	Security Guard 2
Eddie Morillon	...	Security Guard 3
Terrance E. Ward	...	Security Guard 4
Jeff Christian	...	Police Officer 1
Mark Weidling	...	Police Officer 2
Fredrick Stone	...	Art Dealer
Lisa Marie Jelinek	...	City Clerk 1
Dennis Frymire	...	City Clerk 2

Storyline

Who is Goodie Hines? Why did he gouge out the eyes of his victims? Why did they beg him to do it? What could possibly have inspired such horrific imagery in his drawings and paintings that they've been banned--only to be duplicated to seemingly impossible detail by mild-mannered recluse, Robert Pickman, who claims never to have met Goodie nor seen his work, but refuses to reveal his sources? Dare we delve the mind of one dissolving into madness, to uncover his muse?

---

Plot Keywords:

pickman | cthulhu | surrealism | cult | nyarlathotep | 

---

Taglines:

Let me draw it for you.

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 2010 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Buffalo, New York, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1 / (high definition)

Did You Know?

Quotes

Richard: Who was here today with you, Goodie?
Goodie Hines: Give me your pen again, and I'll draw him for you.

User Reviews

A treat for Lovecraft fans, and great old-style horror thrills

This adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Haunter of the Dark" is a visually striking and eerily effective blending of the author's elements, and one of the best HPL films I've seen. Eschewing splashy gore effects, it focuses on building an ominous mood and revealing the slow decay of the main character's mental state as he glimpses "worlds unknown" and grinds his way down into violent madness. Beautiful cinematography and economic storytelling balance the claustrophobic environments of the artist's studio and the expansive mysteries of the abandoned church, while suggesting a darker and more malevolent cosmos lurking just beyond this false-front reality.

Key to the movie is the twitchy, introverted and hypnotic performance of Barret Walz. His self-absorbed and socially awkward character could easily alienate the audience, but instead betrays glimpses of vulnerability, loss, and yearning that underlies his visionary drive and artistic obsessions. He's supported by the terrific and colorful turns of a cast of accomplished character actors, including the avuncular Maurice McNicholas, fragile Edy Cullen, and the seething menace of Tom Lodewyck as fellow mad-artist Goodie Hines.

This movie is also a remarkable achievement on a limited budget. Dir. Robert Cappelletto has wisely focused on good storytelling over splashy effects, while still crafting a top-notch look and feel. The insidiously creepy aural landscape digs even deeper, with great sound design and a moody and effective score. Clearly more influenced by the suggestive horror of Val Lewton than today's splatter-tropes, this is a movie for anyone looking for more substance to their scares. A real treat for fans of Lovecraft's writings, as well as anyone seeking atmospheric, old-style horror thrills.