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I believe Lovecraft has always been sort of sci-fi just with the extent of what you can consider to be science back then, certainly Lovecraft fiction always teeters on the edge of what we know about the universe and the unknown, or the unknowable in some cases. I like to see that sort of theme in sci-fi settings, essentially less goopy monsters and more space travel and
I like movies that play with themes of the unknown, humans going a bit to far or facing off against "great old ones" of sorts but mostly Anti-anthropocentric themes. which is probably why i liked Prometheus despite it's short comings and the fact that i don't particularly like alien , it really had all the right elements for me
other Examples i have in mind are 2001 and arrival. I'd be very grateful for any recommendations of these types. cheers,
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In the mouth of madness
This. Horrifying, twisted nightmare of a film.
This is the most Lovecraftian movie ever made but is an original from John Carpenter
Just give him the other two of the Apocalypse Trilogy while you're at it.
Oh dude, that movie rules.
The Void(2016) : quintessential love-craftian horror
I had a lot of fun with that one. It isn't any work of genius but it really feels like a Lovecraft idea mixed with Carpenter (who owes a lot to Lovecraft).
That movie sucked
Have you seen Event Horizon? From your description it would fit almost perfectly.
"Where we're going, we won't need eyes to see....."
Best bad movie ever.
I've heard really conflicting things about this movie. Is it really just objectively bad and people like the concepts? What's the deal with it?
It's directed by Paul Anderson of Resident Evil fame. There's a limit to his talents, and Event Horizon is the upper limit. It's worth a watch for sure, but go in with low expectations.
It's definitely not a bad movie. It does get a little cheesy towards the end with the gore/violence and there is some of the classic horror movie bad decision making from some characters, but overall its one of the better sci-fi/horror movies I've seen.
I love that movie, but a 24% on RT is not something that just happens by accident...
Alright, thanks for the honest summary
Back in the 90s HBO made a couple of Lovcraftian movies (the protaganist's name was Lovecraft, actually)... Cast a Deadly Spell was the first one, and there was a sort of a sequel, [Witch Hunt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_Hunt_(1994_film)).
They're sort of film-noir detective-horror sort of things, set in an alternate history where magic works. I enjoyed them.
Bloodborne
This is a fine note ! Bloodborne is such an outstanding lovecraft vision i think it surpasses anything he's done himself ! maybe because of the nature of video games but it was just so perfect! I sunk like 200+ hours into that thing though, i need to other stuff :D
I'm in the same boat I know it's a thread about movies but bloodborne may single handily be the best lovecraftian medium because you get to play within it and feel the fear and craziness of the world. I still suit up into yharnam now and again.
Dagon, and the Dunwich Horror starring Dean Stockwell, there's a lot more but they seem to have been all listed
I don't think I would describe it as Lovecraftian but Solaris is a good sci Fi movie that fits the description you provided. It's not sci Fi but a low budget movie called the void came out recently that has some Lovecraftian vibes to it.
Any particular release? 1972 or 2002 ?
I'd actually recommend the more-accessible remake unless you love slow/artsy movies. The remake did a great job of streamlining the story without sacrificing its intellectual side.
I say this as a huge fan of Tarkovsky (his Stalker is my favorite movie).
I just saw Stalker and I have to agree, it's my favorite of his films. I'm just really delving into him so I've seen Solaris, Stalker, and The Killers. Next on my docket is either The Sacrifice or Andrei Rublev and I have no idea which to go with, any advice?
I think Andrei Rublev is frequently recommended, but I've found it to be a bit hard to get into and have one failed attempt to watch it under my belt. I'm sure I'll get around to it and love it sometime soon. One issue is that I don't think there's a "great" home release of the movie - it's DVD or nothing. So part of me is secretly hoping that a print will come to a film festival, or it'll be restored, so it feeds my hesitation.
The Sacrifice is good but sort of plays like a "greatest hits" album. I think the moments it recycles from other films are best seen in their original contexts. I'd save that one for late in your exploration.
The Mirror is really cool if you're open to a sort of cinematic poem. It's almost plot-free but has some great elements. Ivan's Childhood has a lot of beautiful images but doesn't give the viewer all that much to think about; it's more of a straight-up drama. I haven't seen Nostalgia yet, but people tend to describe its importance/quality in a way similar to The Sacrifice. I'd never even thought about The Killers before - adding that to my watch list!
The Killers in on YouTube, just a heads up!
Thanks for the advice. I think The Mirror will be for me, I love that kind of thing.
They're both pretty good, actually, but the original is a classic. It is in Russian and very long, though, so that may be a barrier for some. The newer one is like an abridged English remake.
Solaris is AWESOME ! it's very "silent hill 2" which is the other unique genre i always try to explore more.
Absolutely 'in the Mouth of madness' by John Carpenter.
Also Event Horizon
It's a lot more philosophical and artsy, and I'd never call it "Lovecraftian", but you might enjoy Stalker.
Dude, I promise you, you should watch Neon Genesis Evangelion... all 26 episodes (directors cut!) + movie.
Not the rebuilds, the real shit.
Perfect blend of Lovecraftian cosmic horror and giant robot fights.
not much into anime but i'll definitely check it out
Ah man I'm struggling to get through the originals. It's just that goddamned kid fucking about NOT being in a massive robot.
I can watch one episode every 9-10 weeks or so, and then 20-odd minutes feels like a week. Pure torture.
JUST GET IN THE ROBOTS.
jeez, doesn't sound like your thing.
It's more True Detective that Transformers, surprisingly.
I loved True Detective (S1)!
The Mecha fights are awesome and the design is amazing, but when you can't stand the main character, it's a struggle. If only the Penguin had a bigger part.
I've got the whole collection so I'll bat through. It seemed to picking up the last episode or two, so I'll set aside a day and finish the originals. It will not beat me.
Have you seen Re-Animator?
and From Beyond
That's an obscure reference...
Not for a nerd
It is? There were three movies in the series IIRC.
I'm quoting Rebecca Ferguson's character from Life when Ryan Reynolds character said "this is some Re-Animator type shit" and Rebecca Ferguson is like "That's an obscure reference" and Reynolds is like "not if your a nerd."
Ah. OK. Woosh etc.
We used to play "Live Action Call of Cthulu RPG" at the end of science class in middle school. Paper, scissors, rock supplanted dice. Nerds to the core!
"The Mist", "Video Drome"...uh "Pans Labrynth" kind of? "The Host" (Korean film)... there are sooo many, I dont think I have the desire to just keep listing them off.
Videodrome is a good one, sort of like a Techno-Lovecraft film.
The Mist is a good example. This film is one but its kind of a spoiler to the plot: Cabin in the Wood
The first Hellboy was about him going up against an Old One.
I'm with you OP. This type of story is totally my jam, but it's hard to find that kind of thing on film. I'm hoping there are some good recommendations in this thread.
The only thing I have seen recently that was like that was The Void, but it was kind of a disappointment imo. It couldn't decide whether it wanted to be a cosmic horror film like Lovecraft or a horror film where people are confined to one space, a claustrophobic, Carpenter-type film (like Assault on Precinct 13 or Green Room). Those are two of my favorite genres in horror but together it just... didn't work. Still, I'd say give it a watch. You might find something interesting.
as mentioned, In the Mouth of Madness. I'd argue they came close (but very slowly) in season 1 of True Detective. I was pretty upset that they held back.
But none of the rest mentioned so far in this thread honestly come close to a REAL Lovecraftian movie. Event Horizon had the "flavor" when you imagined what the ship must have went through, but that's really it (still loved the film).
Guillermo del Toro was correct that Mountains of Madness could only be done as a rated R film, it's a shame the studio were cowardly.
It's a shame, because there are a LOT great horror themes in HP's work (and his friends), that have NOT seen the light of day.
We really could use an SF horror film about the Elder ones or frankly any species of alien that would view humans as little more than ants. Frankly our ego always gets in the way when making movies, we can't stomach a story where humans aren't central and significant. The brilliance of horror where we're inconsequential is mostly untapped.
Alien is Lovecraftian, so I don't understand how you'd use that as a metric for liking Prometheus more. That is like saying Alien vs. Predator is superior due to the Antarctic setting.
The Thing is also very Lovecraftian.
Prometheus is more Lovecraftian in that it's less likely to be confused for anything else. Alien is a haunted house movie; sure HPL dabbled in that arena but it's not what defined him. I've read your argument with OP and I really don't think you're making a strong case. It seems like you dislike Prometheus and want it not to be Lovecraftian for that reason... which is the inverse of what you're complaining about OP doing. Del Toro basically called off his AtMoM adaptation because Prometheus drank its milkshake.
The religious content of Prometheus isn't at its core; it's just window dressing and it's ultimately shown to be useless - HPL would've been fine with that. And I think it's more distinctly Lovecraftian (than Alien) in that humans actually encounter their cosmic creators, who largely disregard them, except for when they want to exterminate them. Alien doesn't say all that much about our place in the universe, and what it does say could similarly be conveyed by the terror of any isolated setting where something's after you - wolves in the forest, for example. Alien is a great movie and a masterpiece of cosmic horror, but it's not as fully aligned with distinctly "HPL" themes as Prometheus is.
But the question of what's better will always come down to taste, of course :)
Thanks for summing up what i'm trying to say ! i would put a spoiler tag on some of that though
You don't think I'm making strong case that Alien is Lovecraftian? How about you refute a single specific point that I made as untrue if you're going to enter the conversation like that.
You're doing nothing to dispell anything I've said and are repeating points that I've made myself. I said that Prometheus is more obvious but that Alien IS Lovecraftian.
Both you have said that the religious content isn't important to Prometheus but I don't think either of you paid attention as that is the crux of the film and Shaw's character. I've offered specific evidence as to how this is done and could elaborate that the glorification of religion in the face of the unknown is writer Lindleof's artistic stamp and is in virtually all of his works. This is nearly antithetical to HPL.
The question of what's better is an entirely different conversation but by almost all cinematic metrics, Alien is the superior film.
he didn't say it's not lovecraftian, he said it's not as thematically iconic to lovecraft as Prometheus, since some themes are more distinct and popular than others. and regarding the religious aspects it just seems like to interpret it as counter religious makes more sense since the creator were very clearly shown to be uncaring/malevolent and with intentions far beyond our understanding. lovecraft isn't defined as an athiest but as anti-anthropocentric,as in all our attempts at explaining existence are laughable. shaw to me just seems like she's in denial, a classic god of the gaps portrayed in a brilliant cosmic horror way.
also,I never claimed any movie is "objectively" superior. i don't think that's a reasonable thing to do. I'm just saying why i like what i like
He said this:
Which gives the clear implication that Alien is not Lovecraftian and does not address those things. The fact that you've tried to mutate his words into something other than what I addressed once again calls into question my not making my point, which is that Alien is Lovecraftian. So far, you've changed what he's said and agreed with me, so good job on the debate
The film does nothing to implicate Shaw's denial or display anything she says or believes as something that is "laughable." It shows her religion, which I've stated over an over again, as something that is all encompassing, a source of strength and the only time her faith is questioned, she is proven correct. You're either projecting or ignoring these aspects, just like the OP, which tells me you have nothing to refute it.
I never made a claim for "objective" superiority. I made a claim that by most metrics in which film quality is often gauged, Alien is superior. You can "choose to believe" whatever you want.
you've confused him with me. I'm OP neither him nor i changed anything. i said **"i liked Prometheus despite it's short comings and the fact that i don't particularly like alien"**to translate that for you " they've got similarities and Prometheus is based on Alien but i liked one a lot and other not so much" I never said Alien wasn't lovecraftian, just that it wasn't AS lovecraftian as Alien with regards to the themes i mentioned in the title.i think I've stated my reasons very clearly and enough times.
as for the religious part maybe it's up to interpretation, maybe not ,maybe Alien: covenant has a scene with jesus and pals at the creator home-world, but my interpretation is that there nothing much to support your message other than the protagonists opinion, which is very misguided of her.
I said i DONT like alien. I know it's lovecrftian but i felt that aspect of it was kept too minimal in favor of more monster horror. in prometheus the main plot is essentially seeking out those advanced alien species, that are godlike to humans you only get a glimpse of in Alien
I dont know how you feel about anime but Attack on Titan and Death Note have sort of Lovecraftian / cosmic horror vibe.
I know. Which is why I said saying you like Prometheus more because it's Lovecraftian doesn't make sense. Prometheus is more obvious of an homage, just as the Antarctic setting and ancient pyramid of AVP are. This does not make them better Lovecraft homages and it especially doesn't make them better films.
Alien captures his penchant for ancient, unknowable horrors in a clearer, more profound way than the pseudo-intellectual babbling of Prometheus. Also, as an atheist, Lovecraft wouldn't have appreciated the forced religious angle of Prometheus and would have found the non-religious sentiments of Alien far more in keeping with his sentiments.
I have to disagree there, a lot of Lovecraft writings dabble with religious themes and concepts but they are always relating to the beliefs of a character not of the writer. Prometheus does have religious and peudo-intellectual babbling but these don't reflect the movie message, they are just the musings of some of the characters and i think they were well written, besides in the end it is all portrayed to be nonsense and the beliefs that humans are special or that our understanding of the universe or the metaphysical can be substantiated is laughable which is way more in keep with lovecraft than some monster hunting 5-6 people for 2 hours on a ship.
unless i'm forgetting some major parts, there isn't much there apart from exploring the alien ship early in the movie. Don't get me wrong i loved that part and wish there was more of it which is why I like prometheus more because it's themes and plot have more depth and are more existential/cosmic horror
Lovecraft brings up religion insofar as to emphasize the enormity of his horrors and how they transcend all paradigms of understanding, be they science or religion. Lindleof's script, on the other hand, like much of his work, places religion on equal footing and uses it as a thematic lynchpin as well as a virtue of his prominent characters. There's a reason why Shaw, whose omnipresent cross, is the main character and it ends with the line "in the year of our Lord."
Referring to the alien, as presented in the first film, as "some monster" is reductive and dismissive and would be akin to calling Cthulu "some Kaiju." It misses the intricacies of it's characterization. It is the Alien itself, and the manner in which it defies all understanding and has unknown intelligence, but appears to be some manifestation of sexual malevolence, that makes it Lovecraftian. The dead old ones (space jocky) only solidify it.
Prometheus has a smattering of themes but they're all about a foot deep. To compare them to the psychosexual and gender themes of Alien is to compare a puddle to an ocean.
I read that there were a lot more religious plot points and themes that were scrapped, probably leaving behind those left overs but on the whole i didn't get the same message you are referring to. on the contrary i felt like there was no religious implication, or rather that there was a counter-religious one.
anyway, I'm not trying to trivialize the Alien though i think you maybe reading to much into it, but what I'm trying to say is that ,plot wise, while both movies have the elements, the core of the Movie Alien is mostly about surviving a killing machine(which they mostly fail to do), where as the core of Prometheus is mostly exploring an alien world and uncovering secrets (which they mostly fail to do). I like Lovecraft stuff where ever i find them but i prefer them in the second format. though i do prefer the portrayal of the Old ones in Alien than in Prometheus, that is to say, vague and ominous.
Galaxy of Terror. It starts off as normal space monster horror but slowly morphs into lovecraft themes as you get towards the end.
Kill List
I love kill list but don't think it's got HPL anywhere near it. I could see it as a love letter of sorts to MR James though. Only more visceral than his works!
Thanks for the reminder though. Just off to watch Kill List again.
Hellboy. Has some sweet sweet Old Ones gribblies.
Under the Skin definitely gave me weird otherworldly, Old One vibes.
Hellboy might not be sci fi but the movies and comics are very Lovecraftian.
Sunshine
From Beyond