As a horror enthusiast who’s been through the Lovecraftian labyrinth of fear countless times, I can confidently say that Older Gods has left an indelible mark on my nightmarish journey. This microbudget gem, with its eerie trailer that sent chills down my spine and garnered over half a million views, is a testament to the enduring appeal of cosmic horror.
Every now and then, an independent film manages to break through mainstream barriers and becomes a success. This is particularly achievable in the horror genre, where a limited budget doesn’t deter fans (as demonstrated by the popular Terrifier series, but this trend dates back to classics like Night of the Living Dead and Carnival of Souls. In 2023, the microbudget horror film Older Gods joined the ranks of these crossover hits. With a trailer that amassed over half a million views on YouTube (check it out below), this movie used heavy doses of atmosphere and references to the chilling mythology from H.P. Lovecraft’s writings to create an engrossing horror mystery on a shoestring budget. Now, you can stream it for free (click the link provided).
In “Older Gods,” a character ventures to the Welsh wilderness to probe into the gruesome slaying of his confidant, who faced accusations for numerous killings. Along the way, he uncovers a mountain of incriminating data implicating a chilling apocalyptic sect in the crimes. This revelation places him in grave danger and leads him down a path towards the abyss of insanity. At its release, our critique of “Older Gods” admired how it managed to rise above its budget and transform into something distinctly unsettling.
Even with a modest budget, this film, often referred to as Older Gods, demonstrates an abundance of passion that allows it to overlook its financial constraints and deliver a highly personal horror experience on a grand scale. It’s one of the standout horror movies of the year, particularly within the Lovecraftian genre. The film offers a captivating mystery, maintains an undeniable tension, provides satisfying jump scares, and is filled with chilling visuals. If you’re a fan of both horror films and the works of Lovecraft, Only Gods should definitely be on your watch list.
One notable accomplishment of ‘Older Gods’ is its chilling ambiance,” notes MovieWeb’s critique. “From the setting, music, camera work, and pace, ‘Older Gods’ maintains an eerie and tense feel from start to finish. It doesn’t let up; thankfully it’s only 80 minutes long, or else it might have become overwhelmingly oppressive. Director David A. Roberts does a commendable job in conveying feelings of isolation and unease throughout the film.
How Older Gods Defines Cosmic Horror
In simpler terms, H.P. Lovecraft’s work and the concept of “Older Gods” fall under a literary category called “cosmic horror,” which can be somewhat vague. David A. Roberts, a filmmaker, described this genre in relation to his movie, stating, “I recall someone defining cosmic horror as simply fear of the unknown.” This sentiment aligns with Lovecraft’s own thoughts, who said, “The deepest and most primitive emotion of mankind is fear, and the fear of the unknown is the oldest and strongest kind of fear.
To me, the unknown terror is far more frightening than conventional horrors like psychos or zombies. With psychos, you could potentially outrun them if you have good sneakers. Zombies can be outpaced as well. But when there’s an unidentified threat lurking, one that I can’t pinpoint and doesn’t follow a predictable path, it instills a much deeper fear within me than the certainty of someone charging towards me.
You can now stream the movie “Older Gods” for free on Vudu, which has recently merged with Fandango’s Home Streaming service. Setting up a free account is effortless – all you need is a username, an email address, and a password. Additionally, it can be rented or bought on Apple TV.
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2024-10-21 01:05