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Stare into the void with me: a look into cosmic horror

Cosmic horror has been having a resurgence as of late, and horror nerds like me couldn’t be happier. Inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, cosmic horror explores concepts of an uncaring universe filled with ancient gods and those who worship them. Imagine that you are having a great day doing some yard work. The sun is shining as you push your lawn mower down the lawn, and you feel content as some music plays in your headphones. Now imagine this serene day from the viewpoint of the ants that live in the grass. 

Creating the perfect blend of horror and science-fiction, cosmic horror has gifted us some of the best horror films ever made. Movies like The Thing, Event Horizon, and Cabin in The Woods are just a few. If you haven’t seen any of these films, turn off whatever you have on in the background and do so now. As always, my goal is to bring something new to your watchlist. So, follow me down the rabbit hole but stay close; we won’t need eyes where we are going.

In The Tall Grass 

In The Tall Grass Movie Poster

Once upon a time, Stephen King terrified his readers with a tale about some kids and their corn god. Feeling that he set the bar too low, he teamed up with his son Joe Hill to pose the question “What if grass were evil”? Proving they can work with any premise handed to them, they created the short story In the Tall Grass. Starring Laysla De Oliveira (Lock and Key) and Patrick Wilson (Insidious), this film is a powerhouse of emotion and scenery.

This film shows why cosmic horror is so important. What other genre would dare to explore a concept like evil grass that can control time? What this movie lacks in plot, it makes up for in questions. Luckily for us, it isn’t slowed down by anything close to answers. Like a clown car jam-packed with horror tropes, In the Tall Grass is a fun surprise for people who stumble across it.

Last Shift

Last Shift Movie Poster

It would be sacrilege to talk about cosmic horror and not include a movie about cults. Cosmic horror and cults go together like tentacles and madness. For almost a decade Last Shift has been considered a hidden gem in the genre. The movie has gained such a following that it is receiving a facelift under the title Malum and is set to be released on March 31, 2023.

Starring Juliana Harkavy (The Flash) and Hank Stone (Santa Girl), Last Shift pulses with anxiety from its opening scene and never stops. The film wastes no time with trivial things like backstory and character development and chooses instead to jump right into its gritty tale of illusions. Director Anthony Diblasi (Midnight Meat Train) gives us a bleak and terrifying look into the limits of our own sanity. 

Banshee Chapter

Banshee Chapter Movie Poster

Horror films have always drawn deep from the well of unethical government experiments, but none more than MK Ultra. Banshee Chapter mixes Lovecraft’s From Beyond with a Hunter S Thompson acid party, and the results are spectacular. Not only is this a terrifying film, but it doubles as a great anti- drug PSA. 

Starring Katia Winter (The Wave) as our heroine and Ted Levine (Silence of the Lambs) as the Wish.com version of Hunter S. Thompson, Banshee Chapter takes us on a paranoia-fueled adventure into a conspiracy theorist’s dream. If you’re looking for something a little less campy than Stranger Things, I recommend Banshee Chapter.

John Dies at The End

John Dies At The End Movie Poster

Let’s look into something a little less bleak, shall we? John Dies at the End is a smart and hilarious example of how cosmic horror can be taken in new directions. What started as a webseriel by the brilliant David Wong evolved into one of the wackiest films I have ever seen. John Dies at the End opens with a reference to the Ship of Theseus, to show you it has class, and then spends the rest of its runtime stripping away that mirage. 

Starring Chase Williamson (Victor Crowley) and Paul Giamatti (Sideways), this film emphasizes the weirdness that comes with cosmic horror. David Wong shows us that if you break the rules of reality not only would it be terrifying, but it would probably also be hilarious. If you want something a little lighter to add to your watch list, I recommend John Dies at the End. 

The Endless

The Endless Movie Poster

The Endless is a masterclass in how good cosmic horror can be. This movie has everything, a giant sea god, time loops, and your friendly neighborhood cult. The Endless manages to have everything while sacrificing nothing. Building on the craziness that was Resolution, The Endless manages to create an atmosphere of absolute dread.

This glorious film is written by, directed, and stars Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. These two creators manage to give us a haunting and hopeful tale of what family really means. Not only do our characters have to tackle concepts beyond their comprehension, but they must also face their own guilt and resentment. If you want a film that will fill you with both despair and anguish, check out The Endless.

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