Color Out of Space (2019)

 

It is never an easy task to bring the writings of HP Lovecraft to the screen. Usually, this has to do with the fact that 'cosmic horror' just doesn't translate all that well to film ànd because you can be pretty sure that what you see is never as inventive or mindboggling as something that our minds can construct. 

And then there was Richard Stanley. This director hs had a pretty rocky career, but if you have ever seen 'Hardware', you will know that the man has a visual flair and eye and a very distinct style that sticks with you all the way. So if anyone with a passion for Lovecraft could do it, he was a decent enough option. And lo and behold: he actually pulled it off. 

Sure, this short story has been adapted before as 'Die Monster, Die!' with Boris Karloff, but this sticks pretty close to the source, even if they transposed it to modern times. 

The Gardner family has moved from the city to the farm that used to be owned by the grandfather. This seemed like a good idea for familyhead Nathan (Nicolas Cage), as his wife had a mastectomy due to cancer and needs to recover, he needs to unwind and has bought some alpacas and the kids are, well, a bit of a mess. Eldest son Benny is a gaming pothead, daughter Lavinia is trying to be a witch and hates it in the sticks and the youngest son Jake is just that: young. The family is on edge, because except for Nathan, no one really wants to be out here. 

Things go from bad to worse when one day a meteorite strikes in their garden. That heralds many bizarre occurances and weird happenings: sounds, lights, loss of time and paranoia all start to set in. Weirdly coloured plants start to grow and wildlife turns into something not quite familiar. The cracks in the family start to widen and when things spin more and more out of control, it becomes clear that some multidimensional, extraterrestrial entity is responsible for all the mishaps. 

And it only gets worse...

Of a great many Lovecraft adaptations, chances are this is the best. Sure, 'Dagon' also did a most decent job, but this one captures that sense of dread and foreboding more than others do. Not only that, but the use of magenta throughout gives it all this eerie quality, as that isn't a straightforward colour. There's no real 'antagonist' as such, it's more of a source of twisted things and changes to the family are not only physical but also mental. Your pick which ones are the most disturbing.

And disturbing this is! Without spoiling anything, there are some scenes here that can repulse you or make you cringe, but in a good way. Director Stanley nailed it pretty much and the nice bookending of the film with literal quotes from the short story is a very nice touch, as are the references to regions like Arkham and the like. 

The acting is also rather solid. Nicolas Cage does go a little overboard at some points, but he does manage to keep it just sane enough so we don't lose our investment in the story. Joely Richardson is always good and the kids - especially the youngest - hit their marks. Sure, maybe Lavinia as a character is a bit much at first, but she does redeem herself further on. And it's nice that we as outsiders get our link through young hydrologist Ward Phillips, who doesn't know what the fudge is happening. Because it is all pretty weird and far out there. 

That's cosmic horror for you.

The story is easy to follow and will grip you, the visuals are wonderfully arcane and bizarre and give this a look that is not often found and it's suitably bleak and harrowing. Yes, this one is a pretty fun ride and heartily recommended, not just for horrorfans but for adepts of Lovecraft's literature who are still pining for a decent adaptation.

This is it.