It seems that H.P. Lovecraft has a divisive reputation. Horror fans and scholars appreciate the style of cosmic horror he helped to codify. A style of horror that makes one feel insignificant in the cosmos and prays on the fears that one may have. However, the man's views are outdated, to say the least.
There are a great many descriptions to ascribe to Mr. Lovecraft, but it feels that the creator is almost insignificant to his creation. The works of H.P. Lovecraft and the writers that followed him have influenced many a great film. Let's look at some prime examples.
In The Mouth Of Madness (1994)
Just a heads up, this won't be the last time you see John Carpenter on the list. For many fans, Stephen King style author whose work has a hypnotic effect on his less stable readers.
A film that deals with ancient mythology, creepy small towns, incomprehensible monsters, and...well madness, Carpenter's movie hits pretty much every beat. Safe to say, if you're a Lovecraft fan, this film will be right up your alley. With solid direction, mostly great special effects, and a phenomenal performance by Sam Neill, this movie is a hidden gem.
The Mist (2007)
Speaking of Stephen King, a lot of people are familiar with the adaptation of his The Mist, but that might mostly be down to its infamous ending (which will NOT be spoiled here.) That seems to show that people are focusing more on that one moment and less on the overall a film, which is a shame as its a great movie.
Following a group of random people trapped in a supermarket when a supernatural mist blankets the environment, we watch as these people are attacked by unseen creatures and become overwhelmed by the situation. This isn't helped when a religious fanatic wants to sacrifice a young boy to ensure the monsters go away.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
You could argue that The New Nightmare. When Wes Craven returned to the franchise, he decided to take it in an unconventional direction which led to it being the best sequel in the franchise.
Set in a world where the Elm Street movies are commonplace, an entity that takes the form of Freddy Krueger is unleashed when the franchise ends and is now attacking the family and friends of the first film's star Heather Langenkamp. While Lovecraft's influence may not have been intentional, it certainly can be felt when watching the movie.
Annihilation (2018)
One of the more recent films on the list, The Color Out Of Space (which got a movie of its own last year.) However, to discount it for that reason would be doing a fantastic movie a huge disservice.
Directed by Ex Machina's Alex Garland, the film follows a group of scientists who venture into a bizarre patch of land which houses many secrets and dangers within it. Annihilation may have flopped at the box office, but suffice to say that it's 88% on Rotten Tomatoes more than makes up for that.
Hellboy (2004)
No, not the Hellboy is a superhero film that centers around the title character, who is a demon raised by a human scientist that goes around dealing with paranormal threats.
The Lovecraft influence is heavy in this film, with the final monster looking like it was ripped straight from one of the author's books. The movie also features fish-men, resurrected Nazis, and just a lot of fantastic makeup effects.
Hellraiser (1987)
Much like Stephen King, Clive Barker is another influential horror author, and his adaptation of his own novella The Hellbound Heart (retitled Hellraiser,) plays to the author's strengths. After a hedonist named Frank returns after escaping a world where pleasure and pain aren't mutually exclusive, his sister-in-law/lover does her best to complete his resurrection.
When several men are murdered in the process, it's up to Frank's niece Kirsty to solve the mystery in order to avoid the wrath of The Cenobites and their leader Pinhead. Barker's work is very Lovecraftian, and Hellraiser is a good example of that.
The Ring (2002)
Lovecraft's stories usually dealt with overwhelming dread and hopelessness perpetrated by an unfeeling universe, and you can't get more hopeless than The Ring. Directed by Gore Verbinski and based on the Japanese film of the same name, the film tweaks elements of the film for an American audience while maintaining its themes.
Centering around a videotape that curses whoever watches it to die in seven days, the mother of a boy who watched the tape must figure out a way to stop the curse before its too late. Whether it be the direction, the cinematography, or the unsettling score, you get the feeling that doom is just around the corner in The Ring.
Alien (1979)
A film that needs very little introduction. When Alien came out in 1979, it terrified audiences worldwide and put everyone involved on the map. Upon responding to a bizarre distress call, a crew of space truckers end up bringing a savage Xenomorph onto their ship, and things get grim really quickly.
Though the film is legendary, what gets very little attention is its Lovecraftian elements. The origins of the alien are unknown, our protagonists are thrust into a situation they don't fully understand, and some of them start to buckle under the pressure.
The Matrix (1999)
Yes, The Matrix. A movie that spawned several quotes, careers, and disappointing sequels, The Matrix may not seem like it's very Lovecraftian, but the more you think about it, it really is. When the hacker known as Neo finds out that the world he knows is an illusion orchestrated by machines, he must become "The One" to end their reign.
The world shown in The Matrix being an illusion created by an external force is quite Lovecraftian, and the idea of their being forces we can't comprehend that manipulate our lives is terrifying. Though Keanu Reeves' Neo is a bit more important then the tiny spec most of Lovecraft's are in the scheme of things.
The Thing (1982)
While it didn't impress critics or light up the box office upon its initial release, John Carpenter's The Thing has become one of the most beloved horror films ever made. The Thing deals with an alien menace that infects the crew of a research station in Antarctica one by one. Slowly the crew begins to turn on each other as it becomes clear that any of them could be that thing.
The Thing has a fantastic cast, pitch-perfect direction, disgustingly brilliant practical effects, and a haunting score that fits the overall tone of the film. The Thing is a horror classic and is easily the most iconic Lovecraftian film that isn't based on one of his books.
