‘Castle Freak’: Reimagining a Lovecraftian Classic
What happens when a director combines a classic Lovecraft novella with the gothic elements of earlier horror? Tate Steinseik’s 2020 film, ‘Castle Freak’, starring Clair Catherine, provides an intriguing answer. Drawing from H.P. Lovecraft’s renowned story ‘The Dunwich Horror’ and Stuart Gordon’s 1995 film adaptation, ‘Castle Freak’ aims to capture the essence of cosmic horror on screen. Adapting Lovecraft’s work can be challenging, particularly since much of the horror in ‘The Dunwich Horror’ unfolds off-page, revealed through secondary sources like newspaper articles or the ramblings of those driven insane by the monstrous encounters.
The film follows Becca Riley, who, after being blinded by her boyfriend John (Jake Horowitz), inherits a castle in Albania from her estranged mother, Lavinia Whateley (Kika Magalhães). Initially, *Castle Freak* presents itself as a standard haunted house story. As Becca explores her Whateley heritage, a strange creature—the titular castle freak—lurks in hidden passages and terrorizes the friends who have come to assist with the estate. Although peppered with Lovecraftian references, the film sticks closely to the framework of Gordon’s 1995 version until the narrative shifts to its cosmic horror roots in the latter half.
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Lovecraft’s horror was a reaction against the gothic tradition’s focus on familial drama and madness. In the first part of ‘Castle Freak’, Becca’s story—centred around inheriting a grand castle and dealing with her troubled relationship with John—follows classic gothic themes of family conflict and inheritance. However, the film takes a turn in the second half, delving into Lovecraftian horror with its eldritch entities and cosmic dread.
Despite the challenge of depicting Lovecraftian horrors, ‘Castle Freak’ succeeds with its impressive creature design. The castle freak and the brief appearance of Yog-Sothoth are visually striking, inspired by Gordon’s version but with added grotesque details. The creature’s design includes vivid, unsettling imagery that enhances the horror.
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One notable aspect of the film is its use of psychic visions, which emphasize the surreal and cosmic elements of the horror. Becca’s prophetic dreams and clairvoyant abilities create a sense of unreality, grounding the audience in the film’s bizarre and otherworldly narrative.
Though ‘Castle Freak’ might struggle with its pacing and initial adherence to gothic tropes, the second half of the film delivers a compelling depiction of Lovecraft’s cosmic horror. The final act, with its striking monster costumes and references to Lovecraft’s lore, captures the unsettling essence of ‘The Dunwich Horror.’
–Farheen Ali
