While horror movie watching is a year-round event, this is that time of year when all of us can flourish, embracing the weird. So, come one, come all, beasties unite! It’s Haunt-tober time!
It seemed fitting to kick off Haunt-Tober and the month of Halloween by taking a look at one of the master’s works. And of course, I mean, Mr. John Carpenter.
John Carpenter undeniably stands out as one of the most influential and talented directors in the genre. His body of work is a treasure trove of unique experiences, often leaving audiences puzzled and astounded, all while ensuring a healthy dose of chills.
One of my personal favorites in his repertoire is the lovingly bizarre and aptly titled In the Mouth of Madness. The film revolves around a central mystery: the disappearance of horror novelist Sutter Cane (Jürgen Prochnow), along with his unreleased manuscript. Insurance investigator John Trent (Sam Neill), prompted by Cane’s publisher Jackson Harglow (Charlton Heston), embarks on a quest to find him.
As John Trent embarks on his quest, he heads to a small town in New Hampshire accompanied by Linda Styles (Julie Carmen), Cane’s editor. In this quaint town, they encounter some truly peculiar townsfolk, and their journey is plagued by harrowing nightmares influenced by the author’s previous work.
Sam Neill’s portrayal of protagonist John Trent is pitch-perfect, and the film unfolds through his narrative while he resides in a mental institution regaling his story. It plays out like an unraveling of his psyche, and perhaps, in a way, ours too.
Reality <—-> Fiction
In the Mouth of Madness seamlessly shifts between comedy and horror in mere seconds, delivering some astonishingly random yet amazing scenes. It constructs a wonderfully weird atmosphere that effectively oscillates between spine-tingling creepiness and uproarious hilarity.
Is it a flawless masterpiece? Not quite, but somehow, its imperfections add to its charm. The film’s occasional messiness seems to align with the narrative’s unreliable nature, drawing us deeper into its enigmatic storytelling. Written by Michael De Luca and scored by Carpenter, there’s a symmetry in the combination of talent, making for a wild but fascinating experience.
Lovecraftian Insanity
In the Mouth of Madness is a film that defies expectations and promises to be an unsettling journey, leading us deep down a rabbit hole filled with haunting imagery and culminating in an unforgettable final shot. Imaginative and distinct, it’s a treat for all horror fans to embrace with plenty of tricks along the way.
Stay tuned for more Haunt-Tober articles (one a day in fact) and more giveaways!
Today’s winner:
Wonderfully Weird & Horrifying 