Color Out of Space - Review - Possibly the Best Adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft to Date

[@maxgonzalez214]

"Nicholas Cage is the best special effect money can buy". Priceless.

[@Ryoufriggingserious]

I liked the film but i've heard a lot of complaints from alpacas.

[@ElvenRaptor]

Full disclosure to anyone who wants to see this film... Well, I'm going to preface this by saying that it IS a great film. The best Lovecraft adaptation ever, and that's why this needs to stressed. This is not a kind or sentimental film, quite the opposite. This is a film that "goes there". To say it takes the kid gloves off would be inaccurate. It never wore them. This is the kind of heavy horror that doesn't hold back and doesn't care what it subjects its characters and audience to. In essence, its just like Lovecraft's monsters. And its greatest strength as an adaptation to his brand of horror WILL make it hard to watch for people who are unaccustomed to hard horror.

[@danwilliams1920]

Agree 100

[@porcupyne]

His reaction after the shower blob thing is priceless, stomping past the wife and mumbling '"We're gonna need a plumber...or an exterminator." Oh the delightful insanity that is this movie.

[@Nesty9]

A real reaction when u touch something and it becomes creepy in ur hand u scratch it cus u kinda still feel it ,i enjoyed that scene alot

[@mahmoudgamal8044]

A movie that should be watched on the big screen

[@Bradford659]

I was lucky to be able to see it at a one night one session only screening.

[@ryanburks1314]

“They are Alpacas! ... Alpacas!”

[@drbrunch]

They're the animal of the future

[@white-Beard-Michael]

I absolutley loved this movie, it was visually stunning and quite batshit insane and I enjoyed every second of it.

[@lorec9795]

Kudos to Richard Stanley. He did an amazing job with this Lovecraft material and giving it a modern day twist to the tale. It is filled with a creeping dread that just sticks with you as a viewer. He paints a modern day "picket fence" family and descends them into a slow churning otherworldly hell. This film assaults your senses in every way. Leaving you empathetic to the plight of the family, and also in awe of their insignificance in the world that is filled with an indifference from a greater supernatural and callous universe. After watching this amazing piece of art I was literally left wanting more. To understand the stories and world creation of Lovecraft one must experience it on a visceral level. Stanley in my opinion has checked off most of the boxes that a fan of the writer has in their expectation of filmed versions of his tales. It is in my opinion an almost near perfect film example of Lovecraft I have ever seen. I highly recommend this film and am looking forward to future directors taking a chance like Richard Stanley has in giving us a film universe of the great works of an under rated amazing story teller that is H. P. Lovecraft.

[@darkstar5x546]

I caught this at the historic Texas Theatre this weekend and was not disappointed. My expectations were a little low going in because I prefer Lovecraft adaptations to be set within their original time period, but they managed to make a really good modern adaptation while maintaining the weird oppressive vibe of the original story. No Hollywood endings here.

[@gonesavage]

This was great! So happy Richard Stanley delivered and really hope enough folks check this out in the theatre so that he gets more shots like this.

[@hopydaddy]

I will see it on a big screen. I am sure it will be fantastic.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Well worth hunting down in the big screen. My screening yesterday the IFC Center was full of Lovecraft freaks.

[@hopydaddy]

I also saw the movie The Whisperer in Darkness, produced by H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society. It was simply magical !!! There are reviews on KZbin for it.

[@thumpruntz9501]

Good luck seeing the trilogy and or Richard Stanley director the Dunwich Horror if people don't buy and support this film first. It hasn't even come close to making back its cost. This movie was by far the best adaptation of Lovecraft to date.

[@FCSchaefer]

Sounds like they finally got this story right, I remember watching a version back in the late '80s that was co-produced by Lucio Fulci, it had its moments.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I think it boils down to the fact that Richard Stanley understands this material incredibly well plus he has the directing chops to back up his knowledge. So fired up The Dunwich Horror.

[@FCSchaefer]

@@geekinwithJamesHancock I've seen that 1970 version of The Dunwich Horror, plenty of room for improvement.

[@eligarcia2127]

In the showing I was at a lady walked out of the theater because the scene with the mom was too much! That's how you know they're not pulling their punches hahaha

[@Spencer_Beard]

My wife and I are just in gobsmacked awe of this film. Definitely not for everyone, and criminal that it didn't get a wider release, heck, it was only in one theater in my area for 1 showing, and after this I am suffering some serious FOMO for missing that. If you are a fan, or even an appreciator of Lovecraftian cinema and/or stories, and can stand some suspense (and a bit of gore), I will totally rewatch this with anyone who hasn't seen it, just to see their reaction.

[@markcoledrumteacher]

I saw it last night in a theater and loved it! I'm considering going again before it goes away Thursday. Great T shirt! Long live the new flesh.

[@ElvenRaptor]

Also, the Gardner's teenage daughter is named Lavinia. There's a Lavinia in "The Dunwich Horror", which is adapted next. Coincidence? I think not.

[@ng20y]

Color Out of Space has me shook. I'm still recovering. The acting, the music and the visual effects SUPERB. A true Cosmic Horror yet so BEAUTIFUL.

[@skonenblades]

Myself and the audience I saw this with were absolutely transported by this film. The whole theater was taken on a ride to a thunderous, mind-bending crescendo. What a great experience.

[@Tranarpnorra]

I'm a long time fan of Lovecraft and especially this short story. It was the first Lovecraft story I read; at 12-13 something years old and it has stuck with me forever. I think I've seen all Lovecraftian adaptations out there but this one blew my mind. It's the absolutely best Lovecraft adaptation I've ever seen. I give it a full score any day. Can't wait to see what else this director has up his sleeve in the future.

[@rampake-1575]

10/10 considering the budget of the movie! Love the visuals, Nick Cage and how it goes straight to madness after chopping some veggies :D

[@LeepoyIfurung]

You mean carrot

[@moomoopuppy5810]

I was glad to have seen this in the theater. It was actually 2 days earlier than what was advertised. It turned out to be the one and only screening. I would have seen it a second time. I love all the "Cagey" scenes including the car scene and the bourbon line. Cant wait for the Dunwich Horror. Nick Cage better return in it. I really liked his "honeybee" jacket from the post-screening Q&A panel.

[@HunterVex.]

Already preorder the 4k blu ray. It looked absolutely great on just 720p. Edit: forgot to say, another great review James! I thought the adaptation was done very well! Like you said if Dunwitch Horror is just as good as this it will be stellar!

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I've read The Dunwich Horror a few times. There's something about it that pushes all my buttons. In his interview with Mick Garris, Richard Stanley says he's halfway finished with his screenplay.

[@1-JBL]

Not only are the prologue and epilogue narratives directly from COLOUR, but there's a tape recording in the film that quotes the story verbatim as well.

[@rtmoody4427]

This was directed by Richard Stanley? SAY WHAAAT??? So he's making a return? OMG... That's the best news I've heard in a while... I'm a huge Lovecraft fan, but hearing that puts it over the top for me. I definitely plan on seeing this. Thanks for the info

[@johnrobinson6945]

Cage biting mutant tomatoes and slam dunking them into the trash and then just being like " okay honey" was forehead smacking rediculously crazy!

[@poppinandrottin]

Hope cage comes back in some form to these or other Lovecraft movies. I haven`t seen this and do not remember did i read this story, so i do not know how it would suite. But hey you can always hope.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

There are a couple roles in The Dunwich Horror that Cage would be ideal for.

[@danwilliams1920]

Better than the source material, and I'm a fan of the source material. I've probably read Color Out of Space 10 times, and I'd rather watch this 10 more times than Lovecraft's take on it one more time.

[@creigcoogan5363]

“Lovecraft Stanley and Cage that’s a genre freak’s wet dream.” 😂

[@245-TRIOXIN]

Lovecraft, Stanley and Jeffrey Combs would be my wish. But obviously that aint going to happen.

[@ericbarnett9864]

Can't wait to watch this. Did you ever watch "The Void"?

[@maximusmawle2904]

Ive heard of it and avoided because im not sure if its my cup of tea

[@hikaru99]

@@maximusmawle2904 It has Hellraiser vibes with a little bit of The Thing. I enjoyed it

[@iraeus4188]

I loved it as well. The way Stanley used the original narrative as an allegory for familial decay was genius

[@stornkolson]

Yo bro, that was a really good review. You have a chill delivery. It's showing tomorrow night at the art theatre here in GR so I'm gonna have to see it. It's been playing for a week and I invited a few ppl, but no one wants to go. I need better friends.

[@ignorence]

maybe because i am not a lovecraft enthusiast or a horror fan but this movie felt like a chore to watch.

[@michaellangwaller]

I am really upset that this movie is not playing anywhere near me. I guess I will have to wait for the Blu-ray

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Only a few short weeks away. Hope you dig it!

[@jeremyr722]

What a fantastic movie. And I also picked up on an Poltergeist reference as well as The Thing.

[@1-JBL]

I'm pulling for that last one to be SHADOW OUT OF TIME.

[@AndréVilaFranca]

I read this short story and i liked this adaptation, probably the best so far i agree. I wish Hollywood created an H.P. Lovecraft's universe with high budget. This universe has so much potential, it's some of the best cosmic horror ever. I also strongly recommend you all the manga BERSERK by Miura Kentaro. It's among the best manga ever made and in my opinion the best fantasy. It also has cosmic horror.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Not only have I read 'Berserk' but I recorded an entire podcast about it. Massive fan of the manga and the anime: wrongreel.com/podcast/wr478-going-berserk-over-kentaro-miuras-berserk/

[@kevindorn2508]

Gonna check that one out.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

For horror freaks, it is well worth hunting down.

[@logicrules5793]

I'll definitely checking this out!

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Well worth a look. I'll be buying it in February.

[@silent_stalker3687]

3:11 The Tree Slight joke aside I really hope they make a series of Innsmouth with him teaming up with Del Toro to make a The Strain type series Imagine if him and Del Toro teamed up to finish the mountains of madness that kinda ended mid production

[@YourTrustyHonkey9716]

Thank the Void

[@Daniel145D]

I was just BLOWN AWAY by this movie. Wow

[@SkywarpV]

High Five to Frodo...well not too High....he couldn't reach it lol

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

lol, indeed. Reminds me of slapping fives as kids, "Up high! Down low! Too slow!" Never got old.

[@shanemolloy2824]

What the fuck do alpacas have to do with anything. Bizarre! One of the better Lovecraft adaptations anyway. Unusual character for Nick to play and proves how adaptable an actor he is. Not bad 7\10. If you want a cool Lovecraft adventure get Eldritch Horror the board game, it's very immersive, with characters, monsters and ancient ones from the stories and mythos. It's cooperative and fun to play with friends. It has cool artwork and a roaring 20s look and feel. Perfect for lock down Leisure time. The artwork isn't trying to be contraversial, violent or inappropriate so nothing that would be bad for kids to see. It would probably freak them out if you actually explained it to a child, but it's not in your face horror. We've had it with all the small box expansions for about a year and we have had some epic 2 and 4 player games. You can even play solo and just use 2,3 or even 4 characters. It's quite flexible with variations on the rules online. So ditch the screen time for a few hours and try and stop the cultists raising the elder gods to destroy humanity, or even reality itself....

[@averyjackblack7420]

Oh he sure loved those descriptions you're right on that😆

[@sebastiansanhueza9601]

Just watched the movie, James: pretty awesome, even though, as you said in the review, it's not everybody's cup of tea. I compulsively read Lovecraft back in my teens, but haven't gone back to it in many many years. Since I'm not familiar with the background folklore anymore, I had this question for you or anyone in the community: do you know if there's any special meaning to triangles in Lovecraft's fictional worldview? Triangles show up here and there in Color... (the shape of a window, the inverted triangle in one of the promotional posters, that sort of detail) and I also noticed they feature a lot in The Void (2016), another Lovecraft-inspired movie I enjoyed a lot.

[@Nesty9]

I believe stanley was a crowley student or something so theres some symbolisms thru the movie

[@Nesty9]

I noticed the triangles too and the horse name was comet and a comet fell from the sky also the lightning bolts is all symbolisms references and surely theres more

[@RSEFX]

Thanks for posting the illustration from THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE from Amazing Stories. I hadn't been able to track it down years and years ago before internet, and somehow simply never thought to just google it! duh. There's a lot about what I've seen and heard about this film version so far that frankly seems very far removed from the tone and mood of the story. I've never seen a good Lovecraft adaptation yet. (Maybe THE RESURRECTED came close, and the mood of ALIEN but...somehow none of them ever quite comes across). Even the shortening of the title seems "stubby" and unnecessary. But, I'll still see it and support it, with the hope that it might surprise me, as well as to keep supporting pretty much any attempt to bring HPL to the screen. (The person I've always thought who could come closest to capturing the true darkness and oppressive atmosphere of Lovecraft is David Lynch, but I just don't think he'd take on an adaptation of any HPL stories.) Thanks for your comments: succinct, descriptive and well-considered/well-delivered!.

[@deltax8202]

So who will play as Wilbur Whately in the Dunwich Horror, or how will they pull it off? I'm curious

[@MarkAS56]

Really excited for this. I'll be very surprised if its better than the modern silent Call of Cthulhu. Man, that movie's awesome

[@alichinogaming6089]

"...which seriously kicks ass". Ight, imma head back.

[@HiDesert004]

I saw it last night, loved it, I take back all my bad thoughts about Cage fucking it up!

[@aldoushuxley5953]

I love Lovecraft :D Can't wait for it to come out in Germany

[@acidbath3226]

loved it! just watched it with my folks the other day, best sci fi movie all year so far

[@ryanburks1314]

Supreme Cage-ness: “Where’s Sam?” “Th-They must have got him.” “They?? Uhhhhh .... What the fuck are you talking about?” “They, them, it, that thing that has been fucking this place up. I mean, come on Dad, don’t act like you haven’t noticed.” “Nothing ... has been ‘fucking this place up.’” “Why are you so in denial?!” “You know, I’ve had it with your drama Livinia. So, do me a favor and get the fuck out of my sight. ‘Kay?! You know what? I’ll save you the trouble and get the fuck out of yours!”

[@blackdragon6]

I actually think this is one of Lovecraft's easier stories to adapt imo.

[@camiloordonez4906]

Yeah because making a color that doesn't exist is a piece of cake

[@blackdragon6]

@@camiloordonez4906 not necessarily, but it's not impossible. They could just use any type of bizarre color scheme and the audience would get the gist of it. In fact I thought this film did a decent job of depicting a unusual color.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

In the documentary Fear of the Unknown, John Carpenter was talking about some of the challenges in adapting it, but I think Richard Stanley made a strong case for how to get Lovecraft's material right. Very curious to see how he handles The Dunwich Horror.

[@ravenwind1062]

Stephen King already took a stab at it and even played the lead in Creepshow.

[@Aenarion28]

Dont forget HP was good friends with REH, the creator of Conan and their stories rake place in the same universe

[@alexives9274]

one of the best films of the year this is how you do it Hollywood

[@elijahblechman8633]

I hope dunwitch horror keeps in 1920s setting.

[@sambudd7742]

Happened by this as I recently seen film. I have no idea who the director is. That said, it looked like an "info ops" against psilocybin and 3rd eye opening. The opening scene, of the trees, immediately reminded me of a shroom trip, although not exact, was close. Some of the movie reminded me of a hero dose; do not recommend if you don't have any idea what you're doing. With that, it very much looked like a bad trip; and the little mushroom cut and 3rd eye stuff said it all! Hence the info ops comment. Gotta say... the boy whimpering and saying he was hungry, when infused with mom, was heart wrenching and had tears streaming. But seeing shit like that overseas does that!

[@thriddoctor]

The Colour Out of Space is Lovecraft's best work.

[@banankymamrad]

I didn't like this movie so much, I've read the book and it's LOT different. I Just don't know why they needed to change the charecters, because where is Anni? Why the Farmer (sorry already forgot the name) have only two sons and daughter and not three sons? Why is she possessed by Necronomicon?

[@horizonbrave1533]

Okay, I'll say this... it was a good Lovecraft adapation...but to me, not a very good movie..Odd as that sounds. I feel like if this wasn't an HP Lovey Crafty movie...we wouldn't be singing it's praises you know? I want to see the director tackle other lovecraft works like Reanimator, because that one has a definite solid narrative. Some of my favorite Lovecraft works are the ones with very nebulous actual plot, like Polaris, Cool Air, the Tomb, Dagon and Nyarlathotep, where the stories are pretty thin but it would take work and effort to build a story around..

[@thomassmart4088]

cool movie - though at times it felt like nic was sticking to a 'one take' policy

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

lol, with Cage, one take is all you need

[@mahmoudgamal8044]

Great movie just watched it

[@drawnhere]

Spoiler......... I feel like they should have been more freaked out by the body horror of the mother and son being fused together. I understand that they were all going slowly mad throughout the movie, but they were still way too calm for that particular situation regarding what happened to the mom and the son.

[@devinmorse9112]

I don't recall the short story being a dark comedy. It doled out the effects of the Colour gradually with subtlety and restraint. This film almost did but ruined it with the CG bug. So far the definitive adaptation has been the German one from a few years back. The only advantage this version had was the budget which afforded some of the choicer visuals from the story, such as deformed animal life, the iconic pillar of Colour shooting out of the well, etc. Otherwise it resembles Lovecraft about as much as the Evil Dead films. Kudos to Stanley for keeping those aspects, though, and also for the deep cut Easter eggs. I love him for that. Also for casting a black protagonist as a big F-you to Lovecraft's racism.

[@morningcoffeecat2271]

Still wont be showing in theatres till late February for me, can't wait to see it heard nothing but good things about it

[@NoMastersNoMistress]

Possibly? Heh... It IS the BEST to date.

[@245-TRIOXIN]

My problem with it is that im not a Nicolas Cage fan. The guy has been in too many movies and i just see him as Nicolas Cage now instead of the character hes playing. Same thing with Tom Cruise. Ive seen him in too many films and It just takes me out of the movie. The film is good but could never be as good as 'Reanimator' and 'From Beyond' for me. Im an 80's horror movie addict. modern CGI effects have ruined horror movies for me.

[@Jellyvibe]

By "horrors of the Hollywood experience" I assume you mean Marlon Brando's foetid, cyclopean ego.

[@oliverclothezoff3361]

While I know exactly what you are referring to. I've read that Val Kilmer was quite a hand full.

[@Nesty9]

In the movie u can see cage watching a marlon brando movie

[@elijahblechman8633]

As well as his private island that was used as french nuclear test site. I'm surprised the 1998 Godzilla didn't show up.

[@amcaesar]

This is a bold statement -- but I can't watch the entire video until I see the movie.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I'm all in on the Stuart Gordon films, but for the first time a filmmaker is embracing cosmic horror where human beings are truly insignificant and helpless in the grand scheme of things. Hopefully this flick can find its audience.

[@Nesty9]

I think this movie could become a cult classic easy

[@whatwedointheshadows3349]

that's not the same necronomicon.

[@raynor1493]

the only scary movie i had to stop watching bec it got so scary

[@danielmelendez3546]

You should’ve warn us there was going to be spoilers...

[@danwolff9643]

I wish I liked it. I really did. But it was just laughably uncontrollably bad.

[@markbarrera6807]

Lots of awful parts- interesting parts. silly- audience giggled and it never once scared me. Cage is terrible as always.

[@blazecummer2474]

Definitely the worst ever adaptation of a Lovecraft story - shows how much you know about Lovecraft...

[@misterggg9808]

In my opinion I think it is a big misunderstanding that cosmic horror (Lovercraft horror) can not be visualized to be adapted to a movie. If you could not describe something then you are not given enough information to describe it. Anything you saw in this movie can be described even when Nicolas Cage says he can not describe the color, clearly it is various hues of magenta. When the movie Alien was made Ridley Scott was looking for a unique look for the Alien and when he heard about H.R. Giger it simply blew him away because of an art style that was never seen before. The movie Mist and The Thing are other examples. Color out of Space could have been amazing with a bigger budget and really creepy effects.I am in the minority according to the comments but that is ok. I think this movie will be forgotten soon and that is because it is not worth remembering. I was really looking forward to watching this movie and I was disappointed.

[@RetroRockGamer]

Did we see the same movie? Some of the effects we're good, but this was an atrocious movie. The acting was beyond bad and had a ton of extraneous elements that did not belong. Why can't filmmakers just stick to the story? You could easily modernize it and still stick to the story. And I say this as a lifelong Lovecraft fan.

[@thorinbane]

Good lord this was terrible. With no budget, just check Gordons movies. They are honestly better with zero budget. I LOVE bad movies and I LOVE lovecraft, even made my mom listen to The Thing On The Doorstep audiobook(which was amazing). But this stinker had me clock watching and laughing at this mess. And if we are going to go to best lovecraftian film, The Thing and In The Mouth Of Madness, both by Carpenter are miles and miles better than this garbage.

[@markgomez3688]

It's bollocks of a Film, just like Fire Birds... Complete doo doo

[@DrDetfink]

HP Lovecraft: Horrible human being. Incredible writer. 😬 Not sure who is in deeper debt. A kid who took out a Sallie Mae loan to attend NYU with a major in Liberal Arts or Nic Cage who ran the Coppola treasury dry, faster than King Ludwig II. 😆 It’s time to make that Nic Cage Superman film. 💪🏻

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

All I need is that behind the scenes image of Nic Cage in full costume. My imagination can fill in the gaps from there.

[@Pete-eb3vo]

@Ronald Pollack Can I just ask a tiny question, why was Lovecraft a horrible person? Because honestly I would never go to the extend to say that he was horrible.

[@DrDetfink]

Pete 1972 He was a known racist.

[@Pete-eb3vo]

@Ronald Pollock First off, at that time everybody had that same mindset, and he was only following it, that was just the time period. Then when he got married, he had softened a lot and changed his views. That is not at all what I would call a horrible person, you can say maybe very slightly misguided a couple times here and there but by no means horrible, that's just nonsense.

[@DrDetfink]

Pete 1972 I’m going to respectfully disagree. I wouldn’t presume at ANY time period, “Everyone had the same mindset.” As I recall, Frederick Douglass & US Abolitionists set up shop between New England States & New York and stuck around after the Civil War, which coincidently was where HP Lovecraft was born. Do human beings have their bias? Of course they do. There’s an ocean between having a bias vs HP Lovercraft openly praising Hitler, endorsing White Supremacy from what was and writing poems to promote violence against “minority terrorists.”

[@IamNmbrONE]

too bad lovecraft was a racist

[@MatukaEdgi]

please tell me how do you think the - out of nowhere - brainless inclusion of alpacas and nicolas cage overacting as comic relief, or of any comic relief at all, help improve the original story? how are these elements justified as a lovecraft adaptation?

[@maxgonzalez214]

Nicholas Cage is not comic relief. He's Cosmic Relief.

[@maxgonzalez214]

Relax man, it's just a movie, no need to be rude 😊

[@cizrek]

This movie was a massive pile of crap. It's the worst movie I have ever seen in my life. The fact people like it just shows how dumb the public are now...

[@jefffloyd7105]

stick to chucky

[@maxgonzalez214]

Seems you didn't like it.

[@jackstyles7274]

This comment was a massive pile of crap. It's the worst comment i have ever seen in my life. The fact people comment like this just shows me how dumb the public is nowadays.

[@MalcolmBrenner]

You have your opinion, and we have ours. And you're just WRONG.

[@hulldrummer4403]

Cizrek, your absolutely right. I just watched it, and I really don't understand why anyone would think this is a good representation of the short story..

[@GoddessArkasha]

Yea great movie and colors see what he does with Dunwich