Lovecraft Country

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 16, 2020
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 161 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 161
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 161
  3. Negative: 60 out of 161
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  1. Jagen
    May 28, 2023
    8
    A worthy effort to try and do something interesting and different with horror, and it mostly succeeds. A bit disjointed, but tbf an improvement in this regard over the book.
  2. roastbird
    Jan 12, 2021
    9
    Just watched first episode, felt great. I will come back when I finished the whole season.
  3. geewah
    Dec 24, 2020
    6
    Disappointing.
    A show that showed so much promise in it's opening episodes turns into a rambling mess the further it goes on.
  4. greenisgood
    Dec 15, 2020
    8
    TL;DR - Was very hesitant to watch the show after hearing that it would contain forced political agendas and also being completely blind to the book 'Lovecraft Country' written by Matt Ruff, I am still hoping for a complete Lovecraftian Lore based production but this show is definitely a step towards my hopes. Lovecraft Country is that perfect brew that you get once in a while where theTL;DR - Was very hesitant to watch the show after hearing that it would contain forced political agendas and also being completely blind to the book 'Lovecraft Country' written by Matt Ruff, I am still hoping for a complete Lovecraftian Lore based production but this show is definitely a step towards my hopes. Lovecraft Country is that perfect brew that you get once in a while where the sweetness, bitterness, acidity and temperature is in perfect balance only difference is this brew was Magic, Fantasy, Shoggoths, Science Fiction, Romance, Family and War.

    The Good
    This is a very satisfying experience, especially since it was my skepticism that kept me on edge going into the first episode. Showrunner Misha Green has done a wonderful job adding a drop of multiple genres into the show finishing up with an infusion of great casting, competent screenplay and great dialogue writing.
    Everytime an episode threw me for a loop I would readjust my expectation so that i would not get caught by another curve ball but every single time Misha Green along with the various names working the episode managed to catch me unawares. I absolutely love that I have no idea about the book and I never read it hence this was a much more enjoyable experience rather than me mentally comparing the show and the book.

    The casting was well done, clearly for acting prowess as even the smallest role had some very impactful moments to the show and the characters. Calling any single person for good acting is not fair to the rest of the cast since the main and supporting cast both had amazing screen presence.
    That being said Jurnee, Jonathan, Abbey Lee, Courtney Vance, Wunmi were the people we spent the most time with and they were all fascinating to watch in their portrayals.
    The acting chops of the whole cast is supported by believable dialogue and character interactions between everyone, and even though some character motivations were a bit odd it still does well to show why the characters make the choices they do.

    This brings us to the 'Agenda' of the show, I get very disappointed when Any agenda overshadows character motivations in a story, Lovecraft Country and by extension Misha Green manage to keep the message Strong and Clear without eclipsing the story and the characters in it.
    The VFX is pretty decent for a TV show, and in 2020 this is expected but nevertheless was very well done. Cinematography was excellent with shot framing and art direction making staunch allies for the visual aesthetic.

    The Bad
    Most of the show manages to keep away from the cliches of dumb decisions but still there are certain character actions and motivations that are contrived and need to happen just so that the plot can move forward, it does not break the narrative but sticks out in the sea of all the good.
    The music was also one of my issues, for the most part being a period piece the music is well done with a mix of songs from the era as well as modern music. But there are some scattered tracks here and there like Rihanna and a few others which are just so illusion breaking that I needed to actively try and get back in the show because 'Bitc* Better Have my money' will boot you right out of the immersion the show does so well.

    Lovecraft Country written by Matt Ruff is wonderfully and satisfyingly adapted by Misha Green into one of the most off the rails amalgamations of powerful performances, multiple genres and great storytelling.    … Expand
  5. nilsy
    Dec 13, 2020
    4
    Think the source material is just bad, the actual tv adaption is better then the book its based on. So good actors, good filming everything except the actual story is good. These actors and director are wasted on this.
  6. SimboTheKing
    Nov 4, 2020
    5
    Ima be dead honest and say that I just couldn't finish this show. It's not even that bad but I just don't like how pulpy it feels. The plot isn't that interesting and I just couldn't get invested in it. The acting is a little poor but ultimately I couldn't shake the feeling that it felt like a corny 80s adventure film. Whilst I get that some people enjoy this style I just thought it wasIma be dead honest and say that I just couldn't finish this show. It's not even that bad but I just don't like how pulpy it feels. The plot isn't that interesting and I just couldn't get invested in it. The acting is a little poor but ultimately I couldn't shake the feeling that it felt like a corny 80s adventure film. Whilst I get that some people enjoy this style I just thought it was dumb.

    My friends really hyped this up so I won't lie I'm a bit dissapointed it turned out to be so mediocre. It's not really worth spending the time on when there's so many better shows on HBO alone.    … Expand
  7. neurolboi
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    poor Lovecraft, loved his work but this is pure **** seems like the directors missed his books at all
  8. bertobellamy
    Oct 18, 2020
    7
    The first episode was good but not great. It's hard to anticipate what path will the series follow, but the violence, monsters, and racial themes seem like a good starting point. Four episodes in, the series' adventure tone collides with the horror drama. The plot is confusing at times but still entertaining.
  9. susiecc
    Oct 2, 2020
    2
    This is not Lovecraft at all. The story line is a hodgepodge of disconnected stories that are supposed to be connected by this search for a device that allows transitional movement through time and space. Lovecraft? No. Maybe this is a dialog on racial injustice. I can see that hiding behind a poorly developed plot and a lot of sex. Is this metaphysical black horror? Well, the horror isThis is not Lovecraft at all. The story line is a hodgepodge of disconnected stories that are supposed to be connected by this search for a device that allows transitional movement through time and space. Lovecraft? No. Maybe this is a dialog on racial injustice. I can see that hiding behind a poorly developed plot and a lot of sex. Is this metaphysical black horror? Well, the horror is really the people who created the script. I think 7 episodes have aired so far. I watched them, wondering if they would get better. They did not.
    Whoever did this needs to go back to school to get their GSD (good script development).    … Expand
  10. OlivierPiel
    Sep 9, 2020
    0
    I gave 0 to this show. In this current day and age, according to the peremptory comments in this section, that would make me a Trump supporter even though my skin colour isn't white and I am not American by far.
    This is exactly the problem with this show. It is not art, at all. It is actually the opposite: It is a clever algo-based, marketing-based product destined to the safest and    I gave 0 to this show. In this current day and age, according to the peremptory comments in this section, that would make me a Trump supporter even though my skin colour isn't white and I am not American by far.
    This is exactly the problem with this show. It is not art, at all. It is actually the opposite: It is a clever algo-based, marketing-based product destined to the safest and biggest audience (it is basically a repackaged Watchmen loosely based on Lovecraft). It is there not to challenge viewers (which is the mark of great art) but to caress their preconceived ideas and prejudice (how could a brown man like me not like a show where white people fit into a spectrum of morons to Dr. Mengele?).
    Ah yes, that good old German trope! When short of a villain, just invoke Germans from under your bed, Antartica, the moon or space.

    Those calling it a masterpiece are probably of a generation or milieu that never read classical literature or seen true works of art    … Expand
  11. RidingHood
    Sep 8, 2020
    6
    The writing is compelling and the reinvention of the story is imaginative and fun. The acting is pretty awful however, and over the top.
  12. Psychodan29
    Sep 7, 2020
    10
    Loving this show so far! Every episode draws me in. It’s got everything from horror, drama, adventure, romance. It has an awesome soundtrack from modern hits to classic. Every episode I root for the characters and truly feel their struggles for equality and the struggle against evil.
  13. EerieEgg
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    I can’t describe how disappointed I am — was really hoping this would be good. Feelsbadman
  14. jimmypowder
    Sep 3, 2020
    3
    Does every show these days have to be about racism. Hate to break it to the loony liberals but this is not the 1950’s and 1960’s when there really was unlike today systemic racism .
  15. popcornstadium
    Sep 3, 2020
    4
    I really don't want to be lumped in with all the people on here who are just angry about the racial message, but I can't possibly give this show a good review based on what I've seen so far. I'm totally on board with exploring the Lovecraft mythos through the lens of race. The idea is fantastic. Are these rural townsfolk acting strange because they're fish-banging cultists, or is this justI really don't want to be lumped in with all the people on here who are just angry about the racial message, but I can't possibly give this show a good review based on what I've seen so far. I'm totally on board with exploring the Lovecraft mythos through the lens of race. The idea is fantastic. Are these rural townsfolk acting strange because they're fish-banging cultists, or is this just your usual rural racism? The overlap between Lovecraftian unease and the general anxiety of living in a racist society is such a promising mixture. Unfortunately, this show doesn't have an ounce of subtlety. Black characters sitting down in a restaurant leads to an immediate car crash gun battle with a cartoonish posse of murderous racists. Strange noises in the woods? Here comes a pack of CG movie monsters that are scared of light. Cthulu isn't scary because he can kill you. He isn't a monster you can get away from with a daring last-second escape because even if he doesn't kill you, the fact of his existence will make you want to kill yourself to escape the madness. That's not what you're getting from the supernatural elements in this show; it's pure hollywood scary monsters all the way.

    Look, I want to love a show about Lovecraft that can also throw in a James Baldwin monologue, I really do. But this just isn't a show with enough artistry to pull it off.    … Expand
  16. Valmont
    Sep 2, 2020
    1
    As an long time fan of Lovecraftian/cosmic horror and after watching the first two episodes I just cannot feel more disappointed with the end result so far. I would say that adding the name of Lovecraft to the Tittle and showing Lovecraftian monsters here and there feel more like marketing schemes rather than real assets adding to the show and in fact the show is 90% about racism ofAs an long time fan of Lovecraftian/cosmic horror and after watching the first two episodes I just cannot feel more disappointed with the end result so far. I would say that adding the name of Lovecraft to the Tittle and showing Lovecraftian monsters here and there feel more like marketing schemes rather than real assets adding to the show and in fact the show is 90% about racism of pre-80s America in all its "done a thousand times we are tired of this already" fashion. The Directors clearly never understood what make the Lovecraft Stories so great in the first place. Lovecraft stories' subtle horror of a perceived danger or characters being hunted by the unknown and having overwhelmingly maddening odds against them, while trying to understand what they are dealing with even thou their minds and their times are not yet ready for such revelations is one of the things that they were supposed to be aiming at, but instead of that, here all that mystery and build up (found even on older shows like True Detective season 1) is replaced by flashly, in your face, over the top CGI creatures and generic HP monsters without even building any kind of tension and ultimately feeling like they don't really pose a threat to the main characters and are just there so that the trailer can grab as many as possible to HBO's subscription and then just let that audience down. Hell, it is pretty clear that the true monsters of this world all the white people who are ALL pretty scary and evil and racists... I truly had high hopes for Lovecraft country because of all the big names that the show conjures and its amazing budget, but sadly in the end and just another GoT season 8 in that it could not compare to the source materials and the fact that once the scripts are not based on the true authors and masterminds of the series/genre and instead the plot relies only on the work of copycats trying to cash in as much money as possible before the reviews come out it was pretty clear that nothing good could come out of it... I would even dare to say that now that you are subscribed to HBO go watch Chernobyl because that shows has much better production values and is far more Lovecraftian than Lovecraft Country could ever dream to be. As a final note, thank God H.P. Lovecraft is no longer alive to see how the horror sub genre he created gets butchered in the name of subscriptions, marketing and false promises.… Expand
  17. shoulderoforion
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    ***UPDATE 9/1, after watching the last episode where in the producers chose to name the racist "mengele" like doctor who kidnapped & experimented on black people, Hiram Epstein, when Lovecraft was as much a virulent antisemite as he was a racist, felt like a cheap shot, and brought up feelings of ancient Blood Libel, and others reminding me that the American black community has turned***UPDATE 9/1, after watching the last episode where in the producers chose to name the racist "mengele" like doctor who kidnapped & experimented on black people, Hiram Epstein, when Lovecraft was as much a virulent antisemite as he was a racist, felt like a cheap shot, and brought up feelings of ancient Blood Libel, and others reminding me that the American black community has turned against the Jewish community these past 10 years, regardless of how much work the Jewish community put into the fight for black civil rights, it's ruined the show for me. Reducing my score from and 8 to a 0, and won't be watching again.*** This was far better than I thought it would be, and not being a huge fan of horror I most likely would have sat this one out, but seeing all the 12 year old **** racists with their low marks, urged me to check it out, and I enjoyed it. The leads are all very watchable, the story is interesting, and I'll be putting it on my Sunday night schedule.… Expand
  18. chazmax
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    Racist, anti-white nonsense and woke tripe for progressive soy boys and idiots. EVERY white character is a racist bigot, it's absolutely laughable garbage.
  19. RyTroup
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Don't pay attention to the Trump snowflakes who are offended by the reality of racism depicted in this show. Such a fantastic show that explores many different themes.
  20. EerieDemonble
    Aug 28, 2020
    3
    To keep it short.
    90% of the show - Racism is bad. Racism is really bad. Don't you know that racism is bad? We just want you to understand that racism is bad. Because, you know, racism is bad. You sure you won't forget that racism is bad? Good. Because is so bad, like, really bad.
    5% of the show - bad writing
    5% of the show - some Lovecraftian "horror"
    Another case of activism > good story
  21. Kuggz
    Aug 27, 2020
    10
    This show is a trip! The acting is amazing and the production value is top notch. Excited to see where it goes every week HBO does it again
  22. Moizt
    Aug 24, 2020
    10
    Probably an 8 but gotta offset the salty people who hate when black people are in their HBO shows
  23. PauloRodriguesn
    Aug 23, 2020
    3
    It Is terribile. Seems like a CW TV show. Terribile script. No sense of mistery. Is light years away from true detective season 1, which Is the Ideal for a cosmic horror TV show.
  24. ScienceAdvisor
    Aug 23, 2020
    2
    Typical garbage that promotes agenda over entertainment. Racial politics is the real monster in this show, not the amazing horrors that Lovecraft developed. I find it hilarious that other reviewers are suggesting that if you do not like a show, you are racist. Projection is an ugly tactic if you want to be taken seriously. Or, in the words of SJWs "Are you assuming my race"?
  25. Primbleshanks
    Aug 23, 2020
    10
    Very strong start, promising cast and world-building. Well crafted and poignant.
  26. asmanraj
    Aug 23, 2020
    10
    Wow, look at all these racist Lovecraft fans who are upset that a show with Lovecraft in its title is unflinching in its depiction of racism.
  27. Yellowdog13
    Aug 23, 2020
    10
    Great mixed metaphor. The 50s era racists amd Lovecrafts eldritch horrors... which are worse? It will be interesting to watch this develop, an living a half hour from the openers first monster encounter, I can't wait to see if Purgatory Chasm makes it in ... yes thats a a real place, gorgeous hiking trails. But also made for horror, and just north of Uxbridge and Millville.

    Here's to    Great mixed metaphor. The 50s era racists amd Lovecrafts eldritch horrors... which are worse? It will be interesting to watch this develop, an living a half hour from the openers first monster encounter, I can't wait to see if Purgatory Chasm makes it in ... yes thats a a real place, gorgeous hiking trails. But also made for horror, and just north of Uxbridge and Millville.

    Here's to hoping this one can go the distance in MAGA America. The cast is wonderful, and its topic matter which is so important.    … Expand
  28. notings
    Aug 19, 2020
    0
    Zwiastun odkrywa wszystkie karty przed widzem. Wiemy kto jest dobry/zły , jak wyglądają potwory . Lovecraft w tytule to chyba jakaś pomyłka. Oczywiście serial jest bezpieczny dla Lgbt qztxd mamy tu walkę z rasizmem I złymi białasami. Krótko mówiąc kolejny syf pokroju nowych ghoost busters albo nowych gwiezdnych wojen.
  29. gonzalo94
    Aug 21, 2020
    0
    To much politics and indoctrination, Very mediocre fantasy, I don't feel the same about the book is very different.
  30. AthanasiosT
    Aug 20, 2020
    3
    I loved the book, but I don't feel the same about the show. TV writers had to do it again. Removed stuff, added stuff and created an unspeakable monstrosity from beyond (just to give a lovecraftian note). Dear writers, if you have such brilliant ideas, why don't you write your own novel/book and just let other people's work alone. Nice music though.
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Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best TV Season of 2020
6
#6 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020
4
#4 Most Shared TV Season of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. The Playlist
    Reviewed by: Robert Daniels
    Oct 5, 2020
    83
    The pacing of the near-hour long installments feature spasms of crawling. Nevertheless, the flirting beauty of the most powerful scenes, the fleeting profoundness of when poetic prose are strewn across lyrical montages, and the authentic, psychological performances by the cast, make Green’s “Lovecraft Country” a woozy, intoxicating genre odyssey.
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  2. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Lauren Michele Jackson
    Aug 24, 2020
    50
    The show’s script is weighed down by historical annotations; characters refer to themselves and others using the nomenclature of the time (Negro, white) instead of the unqualified pronouns—“we,” “us,” “them”—of actual talk. Innuendo, a staple of melodrama, and a mode in which racialized language thrives, is missing. Neither this nor the show’s cartoonish whites—as viral videos have shown, racists turn cartoonish in the light—would be so distracting if they didn’t deprive mesmerizing talents of their room to work. ... In “Lovecraft Country,” there are revelations but seldom awe.
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  3. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Aja Romano
    Aug 18, 2020
    70
    The show finds its strongest moments when it layers realism atop metaphorical racism to induce a mounting, increasingly surreal two-fold horror. It’s weaker in terms of connecting those moments back to its overarching plot. But that weakness also feels intentional and refreshing — as if the show is also repudiating the pompous dramatics of its silly cult full of white people trying to something something pure bloodlines, something something sorcery, something something existential cosmic terror.
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