"Masters of horror dreams in the witch house" is an anthology of stories written by different horror masters, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's "The Dreams in the Witch House." The collection explores the theme of nightmares and their connection to ancient folklore and occult practices. Each author brings their unique style and interpretation to the story, creating a chilling and immersive experience for the reader. Lovecraft's original tale follows the protagonist, Walter Gilman, as he rents a room in a boarding house with a dark past.
Lovecraft's original tale follows the protagonist, Walter Gilman, as he rents a room in a boarding house with a dark past. As he delves deeper into his studies of mathematics and theoretical physics, he uncovers a sinister supernatural force that haunts the house. This force is linked to an evil witch and the twisted dreams that inhabit the night.
Masters of horror dreams in the witch house
Horror-film director Stuart Gordon has attempted, more than anyone, to bring the stories of H.P. Lovecraft to the screen. That all of his previous attempts have been unsuccessful isn’t a surprise, as no one has been able to translate Lovecraft’s particular brand of horror into film. The surprise is that this short film, part of Showtime’s groundbreaking “Masters of Horror” series, is probably the closest anyone has come to succeeding. It’s not perfect, and its early comedic tone, as dark as it might be, isn’t right, but its midsection and stunning finale are worthy of being called Lovecraftian. (This, even if most Lovecraft lovers admit that the story itself is pretty weak.)
Graduate student Walter Gilman (Ezra Godden) is unfortunate enough to be studying string theory at Miskatonic University. He takes a room in a creepy old seventeenth-century house so he can get some quiet study time, but as soon as he moves in he’s distracted: by the crazy old codger on the first floor who does ritual penance by chanting and banging his head on a desk; by the screams of his hot neighbor Frances (Chelah Hordal) because a rat is attacking her baby; and by visits from a shape-shifting witch who seems to want to involve him in some nefarious ritual. He doesn’t get much studying done.
Given the limited budget of a TV series, it’s surprising how great this looks. One of my favorite Lovecraft characters is resurrected here, and faithfully: the rat-creature Brown Jenkin. Lovecraft describes him, “it had long hair and the shape of a rat, but that its sharp-toothed, bearded face was evilly human while its paws were like tiny human hands.” And the makeup crew delivers just that. The blood effects are realistic, there’s ingenious use of colored lights behind wallpaper screens to illustrate the gate between universes, and the sets are all incredibly, authentically bedraggled. I especially like the construction of that particular corner of Walter’s room, where Euclidian geometry fails and allows a bridge between worlds.
The story is updated, and I think improved, with the setting limited to the house and the characters drastically reduced, both on the human and the non-human sides. Gordon smartly updates Walter’s particular kind of science but doesn’t stray at all from the spirit of Lovecraft: the story was inspired by a lecture by Dutch mathematician Willem de Sitter (a colleague of Einstein) who posited what came to be known as dark matter, and this film updates it to string theory, which, in a scene that’s both amusing and accurate, makes Walter sound like a nutcase when he tries to explain it to a psychiatrist. Anyone trying to explain string theory in a loud voice would sound like a lunatic.
Sure, the comedy isn’t Lovecraft—old H.P. didn’t have a sense of humor as far as I could tell—but otherwise this film seems to get him like no others I can remember. There are some nice references to other Lovecraft works, especially when Walter exclaims “This house is infested with rats—I can hear them in the walls,” summoning one of Lovecraft’s best stories, “The Rats in the Walls.” And most importantly, there’s the horrible mystery of the darkness that surrounds us, a universe or universes that contain things we can’t begin to understand, where our mathematics and our explanations break down. They might come in the form of a standard-issue witch and a rat with a human face, but those are just avatars for something a lot more awful. Gordon succeeds because this film suggests that horror.
The masters of horror who contributed to this anthology take Lovecraft's foundational story and build upon it, adding their own terrifying twists and turns. They masterfully blend elements of cosmic horror, psychological dread, and occultism to create a chilling atmosphere that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. One masterful interpretation in the collection comes from renowned horror author Stephen King. King explores the psychological effects of nightmares and how they can infiltrate and alter one's perception of reality. His contribution to the anthology delves deeply into the mind of the protagonist, capturing the unsettling and claustrophobic nature of the witch house's otherworldly dreams. Another standout in the collection is the work of Clive Barker, known for his unique brand of visceral horror. Barker infuses his story with elements of body horror, exploring the physical and psychological transformation that occurs when one becomes entangled with ancient dark forces. His contribution adds a distinct visual and visceral punch to the collection. Overall, "Masters of Horror Dreams in the Witch House" is a must-read for fans of Lovecraftian horror. The collection showcases the talent and creativity of some of the greatest horror authors of our time, as they delve into the depths of nightmares and the occult. Each story offers a fresh and terrifying take on the source material, making for an immersive and chilling reading experience..
Reviews for "The Witch House: A Key Inspiration for Lovecraft's Iconic Horror Stories"
1. John - 2/5 stars
I was really disappointed by "Masters of horror dreams in the witch house." The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The pacing was all over the place, with moments of intense horror followed by long periods of dull dialogue. The characters were also poorly developed, making it difficult to care about their fates. Overall, I found this episode to be underwhelming and a letdown from the usually great "Masters of Horror" series.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars
"Master of Horror dreams in the witch house" had some promising elements, but ultimately didn't deliver for me. The production quality was high, and the set design was impressive. However, the story itself lacked originality and felt like a rehash of well-worn horror tropes. The scares were predictable, and the ending was anticlimactic. While it had its moments, this episode didn't live up to the standards set by the rest of the "Masters of Horror" series.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars
"Masters of Horror dreams in the witch house" was a complete mess in my opinion. The plot was convoluted and confusing, and it seemed like the filmmakers were trying to cram as many horror clichés as possible into one episode. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances that failed to capture the intensity or emotions required for a successful horror story. Overall, I found this to be one of the weakest entries in the "Masters of Horror" series.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Masters of Horror dreams in the witch house," but I was left feeling unsatisfied. The storytelling felt disjointed and rushed, with no real build-up or suspense. The scares were lackluster and failed to elicit any genuine fear. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to invest in their plights. Overall, this episode fell flat and didn't live up to the quality I've come to expect from the "Masters of Horror" series.
5. Alex - 3/5 stars
While I didn't hate "Masters of Horror dreams in the witch house," I found it to be rather forgettable. The concept had potential, but the execution fell short. The pacing was uneven, and the plot felt predictable and unoriginal. The special effects were decent, but they couldn't make up for the lackluster story. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this episode and wouldn't recommend it to die-hard horror fans.