Here, we dive into the weird worlds of cosmic horror, discuss films that define the genre onscreen, and offer tips to actors and creators looking to (love)craft their own projects.
What is cosmic horror?
At its core, cosmic horror asks the question: What if humanity is truly insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe? The genre often involves characters who seek knowledge, only to encounter creatures, concepts, or locations that are beyond human comprehension.
Why is cosmic horror scary? It erases the natural human comfort that we’re important and our lives have meaning. At the heart of every cosmic horror story is the most ancient fear of all: fear of the unknown.
These types of stories are also called eldritch horror or Lovecraftian horror—after the writer who pioneered the concept, H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft’s stories often involve terrors so great they defy definition, as well as a race of “Elder Gods” who view humans the way we might regard ants on the side of the road.
The “quirk”. Something that your character does that none of the others do. Addiction to hallucinogenic substances is an easy one. Of course the shadows crawl for me! Or, specifically artistic. Painting still lifes? They alway have flies because your muse is a rotting corpse that is just off canvas. Mismatched socks because your particular demon can’t follow you for some specific reason. Obsessive compulsive when opening doors to avoid walking into the wrong dimension, or letting something crossover. An object that you fidget with that keeps you invisible to the otherworld that you’re hyper-realistically aware of. Of course you’re a manic mess when it’s misplaced. And paranoid. Heirlooms. The whatever-it-is has been a part of your family for generations, and handed down from parent to child (oh! be the oldest or youngest, or only gender of your family). The responsibility falls to the eldest son, the curse is put upon the youngest child and that’s why your poor, tired mother had 17 children before you, or, the curse is dormant as long as a daughter is born each generation. I dunno, stuff like that?