Watch Cthulhu

Cthulhu, a horror film from 2007, follows the story of a young man named Russ who returns to his hometown, the fictional city of Arkham, after a long absence. Once there, he discovers that his estranged father has died, and he must sort through his father's personal belongings - including his mysterious notes on local myths and legends.

As Russ delves deeper into these notes, he becomes increasingly fascinated by the story of the Old Ones, ancient Lovecraftian entities that once ruled over the earth, including the monstrous Cthulhu. But as he explores this dark mythology, he also begins to experience unnerving visions and encounters strange and dangerous individuals who seem to be caught up in the same mystical web as he is.

The film is set against the backdrop of a deeply conservative and religious community that is hostile to anyone who doesn't conform to their norms. This tension is heightened by the fact that Russ is gay, a fact that he is forced to conceal from those around him. As he navigates his way through the town's narrow-minded social dynamics, he finds himself increasingly drawn to a former lover, Mike, who is now leading the local gay rights movement.

As their relationship reignites, Russ must also confront the specter of his family's dark history, including his troubled relationship with his father and the possibility that the supernatural forces he is uncovering may have a personal connection to him. As he becomes more entwined in this dark mythology, he finds himself struggling to reconcile his desire for a normal life with the dark, Lovecraftian reality that he's uncovering.

The film's use of Lovecraftian horror is striking, creating an atmosphere that is both eerie and captivating. The visuals are complemented by a haunting and ethereal musical score that builds tension throughout the movie. Strong performances from the cast, particularly Jason Cottle as Russ, help to anchor the story's supernatural elements in a deeply personal and emotional context.

While the film does have moments of suspense and horror, it's primarily a character-driven drama that explores themes of identity, family, and the insidious nature of ancient, otherworldly powers. Fans of Lovecraftian horror will appreciate the film's attention to detail, but even those unfamiliar with the mythos will find themselves drawn into the film's claustrophobic, foreboding world.

All in all, Cthulhu is a deftly crafted horror-drama that immerses viewers in a rich mythology while also exploring deeply human questions of love, loss, and identity. Its atmosphere of creeping dread is expertly sustained throughout, making it a must-see for fans of Lovecraft and horror in general.

Cthulhu is a 2007 horror movie. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.6 and a MetaScore of 41.