There are few subgenres that have the potential to be as disturbing and as creepy as Lovecraftian horror. For those who are unaware of the term, also referred to as ‘cosmic horror,’ the subgenre gained its name from the brilliant but problematic 19th century author H.P. Lovecraft. The author typically wrote about misshapen, grotesque, and monstrous beings that come from other dimensions and universes. Some of the best Lovecraftian horror films include Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator, Alex Garland’s Annihilation, Richard Stanley’s Color Out of Space, and Paul W.S Anderson’s Event Horizon.
The latest film to venture into the mind of Lovecraft is the low-budget horror film Older Gods, and suffice it to say, the film lives up to the pedigree of the subgenre.
Older Gods is an incredibly low-budget horror movie, with the film being shot during COVID by a small team in a short time. However, Only Gods is filled with enough passion to not only look past its small budget, but to offer a more personal horror film with a surprisingly large scale. Older Gods is perhaps one of the best horror movies so far this year, certainly in the Lovecraftian horror genre. It offers a deeply compelling mystery, an undeniably tense atmosphere, satisfying jump scares, and plenty of creepy visuals.
If you’re a fan of horror and Lovecraft in particular, Only Gods is the movie for you.
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It”
Wagyu Films
Older Gods follows Chris (Rory Wilson), a grief-stricken man who travels to the Welsh countryside in order to investigate the death of his best-friend Billy (Leuan Coombs), along with the murders that Billy was wrongly accused of. At the cottage, Chris comes across a mountain of evidence containing ginormous folders, photos, and videos suggesting that a sinister apocalyptic cult has been sacrificing and manipulating individuals in order to awaken a being known as “The Origin” destined to destroy this world.
Before his death, Billy was researching this cult and investigating the disappearances of many locals in this Welsh town. Upon Billy’s investigations, he quickly realized that the cult has spread it’s wings all over the world, as Billy leaves a trail of bodies stemming all the way from Bosnia to this isolated cottage in Wales.
On his journey to resolve Billy of any accusations placed upon him, Chris becomes haunted by the very cult that drove Chris and other’s affected by the cult mad. As Chris seeps into madness, he must fight not only for Billy, but also his family.
Related: Best Horror Movies of 2023 So Far
Haunting Atmosphere
Wagyu Films
One of Older Gods’ major achievements is its haunting atmosphere. From the location, music, cinematography, and pacing, Older Gods is a tense and haunting movie the whole way through. It never eases up; thank God it was only 80 minutes, because it’d almost become oppressive if it was any longer. Filmmaker David A. Roberts does a wonderful job at expressing isolation and anxiety throughout.
On top of that, the music is eerie and never eases up. From the very first frame, the music will not only make your skin crawl, plaguing your body with goosebumps, but it will also make your heart beat faster and faster as the movie goes on. Even in some scenes of levity, which are few and far between, the music is still on edge, making us question, much like Chris, the reality on screen.
The cinematography equally plays a big part in the movies disturbing aesthetic and atmosphere. Older Gods opts for longer takes, and strategically placed cameras that authentically create a sense of dread, but where the movie shines is its closer angles on Chris, which make us feel connected to Chris on a more intimate level, raising the movies stakes and our overall connection to him.
Older Gods Is a Slow Burn
Wagyu Films
As with many Lovecraftian horror movies, Older Gods is a slow burn. It pulls audiences deep into a compelling mystery, slowly unraveling the enigmas of its terrifying apocalyptic cult. With its aforementioned 80-minute runtime, the film doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s unlikely you’ll get bored, even if it’s a slow burn; you’ll become too involved in where this story may take you, before it ends with an enticingly ambiguous ending that sparks many questions.
Likewise, there are still plenty of effective jump scares that will keep horror fans who prefer a more “jumpy” experience more than satisfying. Some, as is the case with most horror films, won’t land all too greatly, however, there are plenty that are effective. The lack of narrative speed but constant sense of tension throughout keeps you on your toes.
Related: The Beauty of Slow Burn Movies, Explained
Creepy Imagery
Wagyu Films
Older Gods keeps its Lovecraftian inspirations by presenting plenty of creepy visuals to its audience. The use of cult insignias in the film, bloodily emblazoned across bodies, is nightmarish. Likewise, imagine walking up the stairs of your own home, looking down your hallway, and seeing a naked crying, scrawny looking man curled over in a ball, bawling his eyes out. Creepy, right? The film is filled with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments and flashbacks designed to induce the maximum amount of dread. It works.
From Wagyu Films, Older Gods is now available on Amazon, Apple TV, and Tubi.
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