5 Best Lovecraft Adaptations (& 5 Worst), According to IMDb

H.P. Lovecraft was a purveyor of fantastic fiction, which often focused on the idea of horror as a construct in the protagonists own mind. Many contribute him to be the one who pioneered both ‘metaphysical’ and ‘cosmic horror,’ through both his stories of elder gods and tales of madness. Consequently, the eclectic and troubled creator would posthumously be recognized as one of the greatest contributors to the horror genre, in all mediums.

Ages after his passing creators are still inspired by his work, leading to series like Lovecraft County to draw appeal under a modern context and the continued success of film adaptations of Lovecraft’s novels. However, given the abstract approach to narrative in both description of creatures and conveying fear through internal monologue, other projects fail horribly in catching the writers essence.

10 Best: The Whisperer in Darkness (2011) – 6.6

A folklorist drawn to the rich history of Vermont and the rumored creatures living there. Unsurprisingly, the aspiring researcher gets more than he bargained for and is soon drawn into a nightmarish world of evil, both of men and monsters.

Made by the good people over at the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, a group of dedicated fans and creators who have worked hard to bring the creators work to life through various mediums. The production shows a traditional approach to the material, romanticizing a bygone era of pseudo-science that feels right at home in exploring the world of author.

9 Worst: Cthulhu (2007) – 4.6

A Seattle history professor is drawn into the world of occult when he heads back to his hometown in Oregon. While there to execute the estate of his estranged mother, the professor gets caught in an accelerating series of events, learning of his family involvement in the new age cult and his role in a doomsday prophecy.

Just sneaking into this list, Cthulhu does not necessarily represent the worst of horror cinema, with some nice atmospheric moments and an effective creepy atmosphere throughout. However, the film falls short of the lunacy it implies in exploring a cult based on Lovecraft’s most iconic creation.

8 Best: From Beyond (1986) – 6.7

Two scientist create a machine that allows them to see into another dimension. After the experiment goes wrong and the lead researcher disappears it is up to Crawford Tillinghast (Jeffrey Combs) to prove the machine is the culprit of the disappearance.

Director Stuart Gordon is, by some, held in the highest regard among names like John Carpenter and Wes Craven, and for good reason. Gordon’s approach to horror mixes practical effects with the right amount of absurdity to make some memorable scenes within. Additionally, From Beyond showcases a slew of gross out animatronics and special effects that are a staple of eighties horror.

7 Worst: The Thing On The Doorstep (2014) – 3.7

Two friends’ relationship becomes strained when one of them falls for the enigmatic and temperamental Asenath Waite. Waite, being a renowned hypnotists, comes under suspicion of tampering with her partner, after he begins to display sporadic and deadly behavior, leading to unexplainable occurrences.

The Thing on The Door Step, is a story that has been adapted multiple times and often falls short. In this case, the attempt to make a terrible couple the key focus missed the mark of the original story. Additionally, elements of supernatural are rather listless in approach, leading to little in the way of memorable conflict. This movie isn’t necessarily horrible, but it is undeniably dull and under-realized work.

6 Best: The Haunted Palace (1963) – 6.8

Opening with a warlock placing a curse on a village as they burn him at the stake, the film follows the warlocks descendant as he comes back to the village centuries later. With vengeance in mind, Charles Dexter Ward (Vincent Price) plots to finish what his father started.

Directed and funded by schlock maestro Roger Corman, the Vincent Price vehicle The Haunted Palace is the oldest entry here by a couple decades. Undeniably, a large amount of the appeal comes from having such a strong lead playing a recognizable Lovecraftian protagonists, but the production also has a lot of Gothic charm in the dark sets, costumes and signature macabre delivery from Price.

5 Worst: The Dunwich Horror (2009) – 3.5

After giving birth to a monstrous baby boy, a single mother finds her offspring tied to a dark prophecy sprung forth by the mysterious Black Brotherhood. As a result, a struggle ensues to find the pages of the Necronomicon to gain control of a demonic portal.

Leading off of a strong cast, this rendition of The Dunwich Horror is a tragically blighted by one of the greatest mistakes in 2000s horror, cheap and ineffective CGI. Hand laser effects and poorly rendered wings aside, the film does little to impress upon reviewers beyond trying to use popular names and horror buzz words to draw in an audience.

4 Best: The Call of Cthulhu (2005) – 7.2

The first production carried out by the ‘Lovecraft Historical Society’ proved to be quite a hit among the purists of the author. Existing in stark comparison to the other feature in this list that calls on the iconic monster, The Call of Cthulhu offers a romanticized take on the work, with a dreamlike approach in aesthetics and a story steeped in dark fantasy.

Arguably the best technical execution of a Lovecraft adaptation, the production really exceeds its humble budget to make something unique and horrifying.

3 Worst: Chill (2007) – 3.2

After an aspiring writer takes a job as a clerk in a L.A. inner city grocery store, he begins to expect the owner of dubious actions. His intuition proves to be correct when he learns that the owner died years ago, and stays alive through an occult practice tied to cryogenics.

Some decent laid concepts really fall apart under the direction of Rodunsky, with a decent cast turning in some of the worst performances of their careers. Additionally, a degree of confusion is added under some questionably ineffective personas and choppy editing work. The film does have some saving grace, in being an ideal movie to rip apart with like-minded cinephiles.

2 Worst: Beyond The Wall of Sleep (2006) – 2.8

Arguably, the bottom of the barrel for film adaptations of Lovecraft’s work. Where can a production go so wrong to be in contest for the worst films ever on IMDb? Beyond the Wall of Sleep boasts horrible acting off of questionable choices in poor direction. Additionally, the production awkwardly shifts styles to get a retro look, while also indulging in try-hard shock sequences.

One cinematic abomination after another, the film even struggles to hit that “So bad it’s so good” quota of absurdity. Undeniably, the worst of the worst in the world of Lovecraft adaptations and cinema in general.

1 Best: Re-Animator (1985) – 7.2

Stuart Gordon’s take on the lesser appreciated short story may not be close to the original work in delivery, but what it does offer up is one of the most outrageous eighties films to pay homage to the author.

Following the exploits of Dr. Herbert West, Re-Animator shows the horror of his work, which aims to conquer death but only creates abominations. Campy, great effects, career defining performance from Jeffrey Combs, all come together to make this one of the most revered adaptations of the late writers bibliography.