VOD of the Dead - OLDER GODS (2023)
“Cosmic Horror” and “Lovecraftian” are terms used liberally in modern horror. While no one person owns a definition, many would attribute the rise of cosmic horror to authors like H.P. Lovecraft and the various creators who have attempted to adapt his works alongside similar ones. The general gist is that these kinds of films tend to focus on references to creatures or “Gods” that agelessly dwell in pockets of the universe. Often times these characters defy description, a very Lovecraftian contribution, and are usually referred to rather than shown. Over the past few years, we have seen a revival of Cosmic Horror films from the likes of Richard Stanley, Alex Garland, and even Rebekah McKendry of the former Shock Waves podcast. Whatever the reason for this rise in interest as of late, WAYGU FILMS seeks to enter the Cosmic Horror fray with their latest release OLDER GODS. Is this Cosmic Horror out of this world, or too spacey to be enjoyed?
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
After the disappearance of his troubled friend, Chris Rivers investigates a dark apocalyptic cult.
HOW IS IT?
Drama is a central part of almost any narrative regardless of the genre. Conflict, interpersonal relationships, romance, betrayal, and more are all dramatic hallmarks that are not bound to one genre as we see them show up in almost every kind of film out there. That’s because drama is humanity. It is how we relate to each other, ourselves, and the world around us. Its very nature is inescapable given our brain's ability to create meaning out of nothing and attach emotion to almost any context. The drama within Cosmic Horror often is used to remind us of our humanity, and how unique it is in comparison to the coldness of the galaxy and its inhabitants. In Older Gods, drama usurps the Cosmic Horror elements creating a moody experience that may not live entirely up to its self-described Lovecraftian narrative and aesthetic but is interesting enough to hold your attention.
The story here is pretty standard fare; a man goes to investigate the disappearance of his friend who he discovers may have been involved with a cult that worships “Old Gods”. With very few characters to get to know, most of the time is spent with the main character, Chris Rivers (RORY WILSON) as he slowly begins to discover what his friend was up to and what that could mean for him. From the jump, the most admirable thing about Older Gods is the lush location and beautiful cinematography. Filmed in the Welsh Countryside, the landscape gives off a foreboding vibe that is as eerie as it is captivating and lends itself nicely to the paranoia-infused story beats that follow. The scenery, however, is merely there to obfuscate the shadowy happenings of the local cult that interfere with Chris’ search for his friend while also subjecting him to delusions and hallucinations. Visually and narratively the first two-thirds of the film seem to harmonize this sense of dread and surveillance, but when it comes to the last act things start to fall apart.
The “make or break” moment in most Cosmic Horror and “Lovecraftian” films is the ending. It’s not uncommon for the slow burn to finally pay off with a phantasmagoric conclusion that is often as visceral as it is surprising. Older Gods take a more subtle approach by focusing on the drama of human connection. While it’s not a bad ending per se, it is definitely an underwhelming one. What makes Lovecraftian horror interesting isn’t the ambiguity of the source material, but rather the way in which a creator takes that material and fashions their own version of it. I like to think of Lovecraft texts as unfinished blocks of wood; they lack definition and style, which is when the filmmaker/creator steps in to turn this block of wood into something more appealing and relatable. In Older Gods, it seems the filmmakers were content with shifting the focus away from the more interesting aspects of the narrative (the cult and the disappearance) over to the relationship between Chris and his missing friend. This downshift in the tension that builds makes the closing moments of this film much more of a slog than the previous parts, which is an interesting problem to have. This isn’t to say that the ending is bad, but mileage on one's enjoyment may vary based on what expectations you bring into the viewing.
LAST RITES
Older Gods is a visually impressive horror drama that isn’t as Lovecraftian as it suggests but is well-acted and engaging enough to hold your attention even if the ending leaves things less interesting than they started.
THE GORY DETAILS
Directed By
Written By
Starring
Where can you watch it?
Older Gods is available now on Amazon Prime, and will be released on other VOD platforms at the end of August!
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