A literary aspect that has ended up becoming a subgenre in several art forms, the explores the fear of the unknown and human insignificance in the face of the vastness of the universe.
You may not be familiar with the term, but you’ve probably come across works based on this subgenre. FromSoftware’s “Bloodborne” game and the “Alien” series films are some notable examples.
The formulation of the concept of is due to one of the greatest horror writers of all time: HP Lovecraft.
Are you curious to know more about ? So, read on, as we will cover more on the topic below.
What is cosmic horror?
THE it emerged as a literary aspect of horror and consolidated over the course of the 20th century as a subgenre present in various art forms.
These works explore the fear of the unknown, where forces or entities beyond human understanding drive characters mad when they confront them with terrifying and incomprehensible realities.
The term “cosmic” evokes the idea of something vast and inexplicable, referring to the immensity of the universe. Horror emerges when the characters discover a truth so beyond human perception that they cannot bear it.
THE it goes far beyond monsters. For example, the terror in Cthulhu, a monstrous entity created by HP Lovecraft, lies not only in his appearance, but in the concept of a being so ancient and incomprehensible that it challenges our perception of reality.
While elusive creatures are common, the real horror lies not just in the physical threat of the monsters, but in the idea that there are truths beyond our understanding, capable of destroying sanity.
Cosmic horror in movies, video games, and other media
At the cinema
THE It gained prominence from the 1950s onwards, especially in the horror and science fiction genres. Roger Corman, a famous B-movie director, was one of the first to explore the subgenre.
In the 1960s Corman became known for adapting works by Edgar Allan Poe, an author who influenced the . However, the director also directed “The Haunted Castle” (“The Haunted Palace”), which, despite having elements and the title of a poem by Poe, bases its plot on the novel “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward”, by HP Lovecraft.
Another notable film from his career is “The Man with the X-ray Eyes” (1963), in which a scientist, having developed X-ray vision, goes crazy when he sees the incomprehensible.
Over the following decades the subgenre continued to expand. Films like “Alien, the 8th Passenger” (1979) brought the terror of the unknown to a space setting. The “Evil Dead” franchise incorporated elements directly related to the Necronomicon, the fictional book created by Lovecraft.
The “Apocalypse Trilogy” by John Carpenter, composed of “The Enigma of Another World” (1982), “Prince of Shadows” (1987) and “On the Edge of Madness” (1994), is one of the most acclaimed works examples of at the cinema.
Fellow directors Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna, specialists in Lovecraft adaptations, have distinguished themselves with works such as “Re-Animator” (1985), “From Beyond” (1996) and “Dagon” (2001).
Among recent productions, the most notable examples are the Netflix science fiction film “Annihilation” (2018), “The Lighthouse” (2019) and “The Color That Fell from Space” (2019).
Television
On television, the “Lovecraft Country” series offers an interesting take on the subgenre.
Comic books
In comics, the English author Alan Moore is one of the best known in tackling themes of in his works. “The Courtyard” and “Yuggoth Cultures and Other Growths” are some examples.
Games
Even in video games, “Bloodborne,” “Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem” and the “Quake” series explore elements of this type of horror.
What is the relationship between cosmic horror and HP Lovecraft?
Howard Phillips Lovecraft, or HP Lovecraft, was an American writer active in the 1920s and 1930s. His works can be classified as Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror and Weird Fiction literature.
Throughout his career, Lovecraft formulated and developed the concept of which reflected his aesthetic, philosophical, and thematic intentions for horror literature. However, Lovecraft was influenced by other authors in formulating his concept. Edgar Allan Poe, Lord Dunsany and Arthur Machen are some of the names.
The influence of HP Lovecraft’s work occurred primarily after his death. During his lifetime, Lovecraft received limited recognition.
However, his work and cosmic horror have had an impact on generations of writers and artists, being fundamental to the evolution of modern horror. Many authors, such as Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Neil Gaiman, cite Lovecraft as a significant influence.
DUTRA, Daniel Iturvides. HP Lovecraft’s supernatural horror: theory and aesthetic practice of cosmic horror. 2015. Thesis (Doctorate in Comparative Literature) — Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 2015.
The post What is cosmic horror and what is its relationship with HP Lovecraft? appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
-to4l92e9v7fo.jpg "Shantal Verdelho says she made a tattoo just to conquer her husband: “I can already take it”")
