Director: Richard Stanley
Production Company: SpectreVision, ACE Pictures Entertainment, XYZ Films
Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi
One Sentence Synopsis: New independent horror film based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft
Series: First in the series of a Lovecraft trilogy
Release Date: 1-24-2020 (US Release)
Running Time: 111 Min
Website: Click Here
Trailer: Click Here
Reviewed by: Reverend Leviathan
Final Score: 5.0 Moons (Out of 5)
Based on the H.P. Lovecraft short story of the same name, Color Out of Space is a sci-fi horror about The Gardners, a suburban family that moves to a secluded farm. After a meteorite crashes in their backyard, a mysterious substance that they deem “the Color” begins having unexplainable (and terrifying) effects and mutations on everything around the area, including them.
Story
Nathan Gardner (Nicholas Cage) moves his family to a secluded farm to escape suburban life. One night a meteorite crashes in their backyard, bringing with it a bright color that no member of the family can perfectly describe. After the meteorite mysteriously disappears, the family begins to notice changes not only in their crops, vegetation, insects and livestock, but also in themselves. Nathan struggles to keep his sanity as he attempts to help his sons, daughter and wife, while the aftermath of the meteorite and its strange substance continue to spread and gain attention from others. Is it an extraterrestrial force? Radiation? Or some form of intelligent life that is self-aware? “It’s a Color” is the only definite answer they have.
Gardner’s youngest son and dog hearing strange noises from the well.
When I first saw the trailer for this film I immediately opened my H.P. Lovecraft Collection and read The Colour Out of Space, as I wanted to have a better idea of the story before viewing the film. I found it quite interesting and was really looking forward to seeing it. I’m pretty impressed with how true they were to the original story. They took a few liberties with some details in the story as most movies do, (SPOILER ALERT) e.g. the madness surrounding Mrs. Gardner was much more terrifying in the film than I imagined when reading the short story, the fate of a couple characters, and they seemed to imply the color was more of an intelligent life form than what Lovecraft described. However, I think Lovecraft fans will greatly appreciate how true they were to Lovecraft’s imagery and tale.
Presentation
The cinematography and special effects in this film are amazing. I pity the person who watches this while experimenting with psychedelics! In order to capture the color “that was unlike any other color on earth” I really liked how they used basic dull colors for the wardrobe and environment, so that the hot pinks and purples really stand out as being otherworldly, especially when it starts to affect the vegetation and insects surrounding the farm. And the horrifying images of the effects it had on the animals and family are forever burned in my brain.
Nicholas Cage gives another amazing performance in an indie horror film, this now being my third favorite (The other two being Mandy and Mom and Dad). Nick really knows how to lose his mind in this while still trying to do what’s best for this family. Tommy Chong as Ezra adds some really good humor to the film, as he plays the stoner hippie living off the grid (I mean, who else, right?). The actors and actresses portraying the family gave great performances, and I believe Julian Hilliard as the youngest child Jack may be remembered alongside other creepy child performances like in The Shining and Poltergeist.
Audience Fit
As an H.P. Lovecraft fan, I think other fans would really love seeing this classic story brought to life. I may go so far as to say that this is the film that Lovecraft’s fans have been waiting for. And those who like horror mixed with a little extraterrestrial in the storylines should check it out.
Closing Thoughts
Richard Stanley did an outstanding job bringing this classic Lovecraft story to life. Color Out of Space is a visual masterpiece that is both beautiful and extremely horrifying, forcing you to gaze at its wonder while enduring the horror.
Story: 5.0 Moons (Out of 5)
Presentation: 5.0 Moons (Out of 5)
Audience Fit: 5.0 Moons (Out of 5)
Final Score (not an average): 5.0 Moons
