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5 Writers Inspired by Lovecraft’s Influence Over Horror – iHorror

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The uniqueness of H.P. Lovecraft was his ability to explore the Unseen – the Beyond if you will. He was a man who understood one vital thing: We are all doomed if whatever is out there in space discovers us. Or if whatever lies in deathlike slumber at the heart of the Abyss should ever awaken, what hope might we have in escape?

It was a darkly pessimistic view for a deathly pessimistic century. One torn by two world wars, when Man no longer had to rely on rocks, blades or bullets to kill his brother. Man cracked open the Atom and by science could now turn the planet into a neon-glowing apocalypse.

Hopelessness was a way of life for many, and out of this century – almost ordained from it – Lovecraft gave voice to horrors beyond any human ability to cope with.

image courtesy of artist Michael Whelan

Yes, there were many before him who made a path through the dimension of fear, but he single-handedly reshaped the dark realm, firmly establishing the modern-day horror tale. So influential is Lovecraft’s contributions to the genre that we now use the term “Loveraftian” to describe something that strikes glaring similarities to the expert Mythos he invented. An entire sub-genre exists now thanks to him.

Alien. The Thing. The Fly. The Mist. The Void. The Gates of Hell. Evil Dead. Re-Animator. The Fog.
These are a few movies with the Lovecraftian influence on them.

Video games like Dead Space, Bloodborne, Quake, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, and Skyrim: Dragon Born all have the Mythos touch upon them.

5. Stephen King

Stephen King himself – a man of such colossal influence over the vast region of the written world – has humbly admitted that had there been no Lovecraft, there certainly would never have been any room for a Stephen King.

And that’s an aspect of Lovecraft’s career I find fascinating. Not only did he invent an entirely new – and seemingly never-ending – sub-genre, but he also gave many aspiring writers their own voices to be heard. Had he not, our world would have been robbed of some very much needed chilling classics. As we’ve already learned, we might not have had Stephen King otherwise.

That means we would not have a Pet Sematary to explore or Pennywise to fear! How dreadful!

image via IMDB, courtesy of Warner Bros.

Stephen King’s short story Jerusalem’s Lot shares many familiar hints and tones similar to Lovecraft’s. In Needful Things, King takes the liberty to mention Yog Sothoth, a hellish entity straight out of the Mythos.

4. Robert Bloch

Among the Lovecraft circle – as they were favorably called (pen pals and loyal fans of his dawning creativity) – was young Robert Bloch. A writer whose name may not be easily recognized among even diehard genre fans, but his work is highly praised. Chiefly because Bloch managed to scare and chill the very master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, with his little novel Psycho.

Hitchcock would admit, “Psycho all came from Robert Bloch’s book.” Let sink in. Psycho, a movie that pretty much birthed and solidified the slasher genre, would never have happened had it not been for the encouraging friendship Bloch had with Lovecraft.

We have Lovecraft to thank – in part – for Freddy, Jason, Michael Myers, Leatherface, Mad Man Marz, Ghostface, and certainly Norman Bates.

3. Robert E. Howard

Another young writer who lent his brilliant talents to the expansion of the Mythos was Robert E. Howard – a personal favorite of mine, I must admit. His own Mythos contributions are searing as heated steel hammered upon the blacksmith’s anvil.

With his definitive crimson savagery, Howard hollows out the conscience of the human heart and reveals the black-rot festering in the decayed pulp. If you read but only one of his Mythos tales, I strongly recommend The Black Stone, the story of an explorer set out to test the local legends of an onyx monolith and the gruesome cult that was rumored to have formed around it.

Robert E. Howard also gave birth to his own sub-genre in the field of fantasy: Swords and Sorcery, a sub-genre that went on to inspire Dungeons and Dragons and countless other gaming platforms. The two most beloved heroes of Howard’s antediluvian world of brute strength and bizarre mysticism are Red Sonja and the unconquered Conan of Hyperboria.

2. Mike Mignola

Going outside of the Lovecraft Circle now, we find a humble and quiet comic book artist known for his incredibly unique style of art. His name is Mike Mignola, and his creation is the one and only Hellboy.

Hellboy by Mike Mignola

Who doesn’t love Big Red? Cigar chomping and good-natured Hellboy has fought demons and evils that are spawned straight out of the ether of the Mythos.

Seeds of Destruction is a great place to start for anyone needing a Hellboy vs the Mythos fix.

 

1. Brian Lumley

It would be nothing short of an offense if I ended this list without mentioning a personal favorite of mine – Brian Lumley. Among the expanded Mythos very few have contributed more to the grizzly tales of Ancient Evil than Mr. Lumley. In my library alone there are three volumes of the Cthulhu Mythos composed entirely by him.

Not only does Lumley offer some brilliant additions to the Mythos, but he’s also given fans a gripping fantasy saga about a paranormal scholar with the gift to travel between dimensions, pass into other worlds, and is opposed by Ancient Powers straight out of the pages of Lovecraft. That hero is Titus Crow.

art courtesy of Bob Eggleton

Now for me, I read Lumley for one series in particular – Necroscope. This is my unrivaled favorite – FAVORITE – vampire story! A blood-stained saga of vampires spawned from the vile seed of Satan himself right after he was hurled from the grace of God.

These creatures of the night are not romantic, but the demonic manifestation of carnal lusts and cruelest murder. The series begins on Earth but takes the reader across the cosmos to the very world of the Vampyr themselves.

The vampire strain is a parasitic and spiritual curse that latches itself to the spinal cord of its host and grows along the nerves, stretching and spreading until infesting the entirety of its victim until only a brief and mocking glimmer of the original host is recognized.

Still, though this is an original work by Brian Lumley, even here he can’t help but nod to his mentor and include several aspects of the beloved Mythos.

art courtesy of Bob Eggleton

 

“Since reading Lumley’s Necroscope series, I know that vampires really do exist!” – H.R. Giger.

Lovecraft’s influence remains never-ending. So when you walk that well-worn path of Fear and enter the mist-shrouded forests, look for the signs of eldritch horrors seeping through reality. Take heed that you yourself are not transformed by the vile presence of Yog Sothoth or the Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young.

Travel well, dear reader. You know you’ll find me walking among the tombs here, paying respect to those who have given us so much to admire.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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