Color Out Of Space (2020)

Sometimes the scariest movies aren't about monsters, ghosts, or aliens, they are about the way we loose our grips on reality and the way we treat each other in light of that. H. P Lovecraft understood this and explored the loss of sanity as a source of pure horror. Lovecraft's work has rarely been interpreted effectively to the screen, but director Stanley seems to be on to something here with his weird and wonderful adaptation of one of Lovecraft's most loved stories. I have issues with Lovecraft on some other issues, but Stanley appears to have found the magic in bringing what is good about his work to the screen.

Generally true to the narrative and spirit of the story it is based on, Color Out Of Space, is structured in a fairly standard manner for a horror film (intro, build up, horrific happenings, unsettling resolution) but pushes those expectations with gonzo flares which are perfectly suited to the Lovecraft esthetic. While I am often not a fan of Nicholas Cage's wacko style, here I felt it was exactly the right tone to strike, and one that strikes a serious chord of terror as his behavior becomes more maddening. Because for me what is scary about these stories is the exploration of our capacities for cruelty and irrationality.

Color Out of Space begins it descent into madness quickly and once it does it isn't long before it gets both disturbing and grotesque. It is not for the weak at heart. It doesn't pull punches and some of what we see is absolutely terrifying. The film does use humour, quite liberally, but not in a dismissive way as tension relief, but to explore the very absurd nature of its story. At the same time the film finds its own incredible beauty. It is technicolor gorgeous while also being disgustingly horrific. Again Stanley strikes the right chord here and makes a gonzo horror gem.

Color Out Of Space is the first time I've felt the visceral Lovecraftian horror brought to the big screen with all the appropriate absurdity and loose grip on reality that it needs. I understand Stanley is interested in starting a trilogy, adapting other Lovecraft stories, with this film and in my opinion that would be a welcome step.

Color Out Of Space
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeline Arthur, Brendan Meyer, Julian Hillard, Tommy Chong, Elliot Knight
Director: Richard Stanley
Writers: Scarlett Amaris, Richard Stanley