Jack S
I appreciate the vintage B&W look and style of this film, but let’s face it, the effect just emphasizes the low-budget aspect of the overall production. I wish the filmmakers had instead spent more time and effort in developing an interesting, suspenseful story with compelling characters. *One thing of note for Rotten Tomatoes devotees: Make sure that there are at least 15-20 Tomatometer reviews to get a truly representative evaluation before viewing a selection based on them. I saw this film because of the mostly positive reviews (in this case a total of 7), but was quite disappointed—This has happened to me before, particularly with respect to horror-themed works which seem to have a low-bar for reviewers.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
09/09/24
Full Review
John B
Produced by enthusiasts for enthusiasts - but very talented ones with experience in movies. The movie is very much in the style of 30s cinema, and loyal to the source, although it adds an extra concluding section (on the principle that H.P. Lovecraft didn't write endings). For me, a movie which respects its source is most appealing. As for style, it's pulp and a little noir. H.P. Lovecraft was first published in pulp magazines, so what's not to like? There are many bad adaptions of his work, but this isn't one of them. The DVD includes a "making of" featurette which, once watched, makes the main feature even more fun.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
08/07/23
Full Review
joe m
I never read the HP Lovecraft novella, so I can't say how true "Whisperer in the Darkness" is to the source material - yet as a movie it was just ok. For those fans of Lovecraft, it had the usual element of some lurking, alien fear that a young, eager man feels compelled to explore. The movie keeps up a good level of suspense through out and does a lot with a minimal budget. The real disappointment is in the rather abrupt ending that is going for that surprise twist element, but doesn't pull it off. Likely to be best enjoyed by those who appreciate Lovecraft's works.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
sheldon n
"The Call of Cthulhu" by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society was an absolutely sublime film. Making it a black-and-white silent film to appear as though it were made in the '20s-'30s was a stroke of genius, and the film stays very close to the source material without being boring. So when it was announced that they were doing a follow-up film, adapting Lovecraft "The Whisperer in Darkness," I was beside myself with joy to the point of being giddy.
Unfortunately, "The Whisperer in Darkness" fails to live up to the high water mark left by "The Call of Cthulhu." Instead of a silent film, this one is done more in the style of a '50s black-and-white horror film. While I don't take issue with the style they chose, they still make some very odd choices that left me feeling a little cold and at times saying, "Huh?"
So, where does the problem arise? I started to wonder if I remembered the original story correctly. Then realized that I had. They not only make adjustments to the story, but treat the story as only acts one and two, creating a completely original third act. While I understand the adaptation aspect of movies and am more tolerant than many seem to be because I understand that a direct one-to-one translation of most literary works to the screen would, well, suck, the change in tone in the third act is enough to give the audience whiplash. The final act goes straight into traditional horror and action that seems like something more out of the Call of Cthulhu RPG as opposed to the slow-burning weird fiction of the unknowable that Lovecraft is most well known for.
This leaves us with one of the most inconsistent movies I've seen in recent memory. The tonal change is so drastic that it's clear the different parts of the film were written in two completely disparate time periods. As such, this film is kind of a let down after "The Call of Cthulhu." I strongly recommend seeing that one over "The Whisperer in Darkness" and only recommend this one for hardcore Lovecraft fans.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Another adaptation of an H. P. Lovecraft short story from the H. P. L. Historical Society, following their short silent version of "Call of Cthulhu". Again, you can see the loving care that has gone into the production, fashioned in the spirit of the Universal horror films of the 1930s (when Lovecraft was still alive; he died in '37 at age 46). Having read this story earlier this year, I can attest to the fact that this is a very faithful rendition - to a point: after the first hour, the screenwriters have concocted their own conclusion to the story which actually ends at a fully horrifying point, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions about what happens next). Basically, we follow a sceptical professor as he travels to Vermont to meet with a local who claims to have seen flying crab-like creatures from outer space. Initially afraid, this man now has changed his mind to suggest that his new alien friends actually come in peace. But do they really? Much of the spookiness of the story remains intact and the stylized production works well but things do seem to drag - this would have been tighter as a short (as with the previous HPLHS effort). Let's hope they have the chance to make some more films!
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/04/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I love it! The story is good...effects are ok. The acting is super good! H.P. Lovecraft would approve!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/10/23
Full Review
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