Movies

Here’s Why You Should Watch HBO’s Lovecraft Country

Published

4 years ago

October 2, 2020

Image: HBO

Lovecraft Country is a TV adaptation of the novel of the same name, released in 2016. It tells the story of Atticus Freeman, who goes on a road trip with his childhood friend and uncle in search of his father, who’s gone missing.

The time period is 1950s Jim Crow America, and the trio encounters their fair share of racism and prejudice. But that’s not all. Since the story is inspired by HP Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos, the show also has its fair share of surreal monsters.

So, should you watch it? Yes! Lovecraft Country is one of the most exciting TV shows of 2020 and a stellar piece of entertainment that manages to be both interesting and horrifying.

Below are all the reasons why you should give it a try!

Image: HBO

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Family Drama

Atticus has an awful father. Yet, when he returns home from the war and finds his father missing, he decides to go search for him. But the rest of his family more than makeup for it.

Uncle George and Aunt Hippolyta are the perfect couple, who are still madly in love after a lifetime together. They also have a daughter who loves to draw comic books—and is actually good at it. Together, all three give Atticus the support system he needs for the horrors he’s going to face.

Harsh Realities of Jim Crow

A lot of people assume that the segregation in Jim Crow simply meant that black people weren’t allowed to share the same things as white folks—like water fountains or different seats on the bus.

But Lovecraft Country shows all of its horrors. The characters are mocked, insulted, and even have their lives threatened just because of their skin color.

For instance, Atticus and co enter a diner that they think is safe for black people. However, the three are promptly chased away by a pickup truck ferrying gun-toting racists. If not for Leti’s superb driving skills, they’d be dead before their adventure really kicks off.

They also visit a sundown county, where the sheriff makes it crystal clear that if they are not gone by dusk, they’ll be hunted and lynched. He points this out when it’s already evening, which gives Atticus and the rest little time to escape.

In Lovecraft Country, the harsh realities of Jim Crow racism are arguably more frightening than the monsters themselves.

Excellent Production

Lovecraft Country isn’t the most fast-paced show in the world, but it squeezes out emotion from every second it has. It could easily have become a sensationalist drama, but the writers elegantly veered away from this.

They focused on telling Atticus’ story in a way that feels authentic. Misha Green, the showrunner and writer, does her job admirably.

It also helps that Jordan Peele was involved in this. After Get Out, The Twilight Zone and Us, Peele is proving himself to be one of the great new horror auteurs.

The casting is also excellent. All of the characters, both major and minor, feel like actual people. The main characters, especially, give their all whenever they are on screen.

The Timing of Lovecraft Country

Lovecraft Country couldn’t have come at a better time. The Black Lives Matter movement is finally gaining traction along the world, though it’s unfortunate that it has to.

The world is finally realizing that black people are still being discriminated against—by officers of the law, no less—and people are finally coming to accept that we have a racism problem.

Lovecraft Country parallels these atrocities in a way that’s not subtle but just shows how far we still have to go if we are to get rid of systemic racism.

It’s essential viewing for everyone who still thinks that slavery ended ages ago, or who underplays those injustices. Like 2019’s Watchmen, Lovecraft Country reminds us of our bloodstained past so that we won’t repeat it.

Cast:

Jonathan Majors – Atticus Freeman

Jurnee Smollett – Letitia “Leti” Lewis

Courtney B. Vance – George Freeman

Michael Kenneth Williams – Montrose Freeman

Abbey Lee – Christina Braithwhite

Aunjanue Ellis – Hippolyta Freeman

Wunmi Mosaku – Ruby Baptiste

Jada Harris – Diana Freeman