10 Intrusions From The Cthulhu Mythos Into Cinema

6. From Beyond

From Beyond Continuing our kinky theme we have Stuart Gordon's adaptation of the shorty story of the same name. This film also marks the return of Jeffrey Combs, along side Gordon and Yuzna, into our list, but, it is by no means his, and their, last appearance. The original tale though one of Lovecraft's shortest may well actually represent the very quintessence of the Mythos. Demonstrating Lovecraft's uncanny knowledge of that murky area between magic and the sciences, From Beyond posited a machine that stimulates an individual's pineal gland, opening up to them wondrous and horrifying new vistas of reality. The movie adaptation, extending the narrative; by adding in characters and events, manages to distil this essence almost perfectly. This movie also stands out as an outstanding example of pre CGI ingenuity in special effects. Subdued Lovecraftian meditations on the narrow perception of reality and dreaming play out along side giant monster effects and a certain slick Eighties sleaze. Finally in true Lovecraftian fashion the ending provokes horror in the uninitiated but amusement in the seasoned viewer.
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Contributor

David is grateful not only for the opportunity WhatCulture! has given him but also for the tens of thousands of views that you have given him. Particularly, when he still considers his efforts as somewhat clumsy and amateurish. Like H.P. Lovecraft, David will probably never be happy with his own work. Still this doesn't stop him studying E-Prime, Game Theory, Tantra, Magic, Media Analysis & Criticism along with many other things outside of his top secret day to day job and writing for WhatCulture! All of this in a no doubt conceited effort to improve not only his writing but also himself as a person.