This ones a bit more philosophical, but very important. Gallons of ink have been spilled about the social influences and implications of modern sci-fi and horror. Slasher films are anti-feminist backlash, and they may be satires of desensitized attitudes towards violence. Sci-fi may depict anti-corporate sentiments, fears of nuclear war, anxiety over conformity. And, not to editorialize, but if I have to read another zombie story that is really a commentary on modern society I will scream. And many sci-fi and horror works attempt to establish a broad backstory, like the Engineers-Xenomorph connection in the Alien films and Prometheus, and the ridiculous but entertaining--and Lovecraft-referencing--back story of Jason Vorhees revealed in Jason Goes to Hell. Moreover, some try to create a universe beyond their films by including mentions of other works, such as the Xenomorph skull in Predator 2 (see my thoughts on that crossover above). But rarely have philosophical message, backstory, and story-crossing canon combined so brilliantly as in Lovecrafts works. As I discussed above, he created an elaborate back story for characters and events, tying together a slew of ancient gods and sinister contemporary actors. And there are numerous cross-references among his stories, with villains, characters, and even books--the famed Necronomicon--appearing in multiple tales by Lovecraft and his followers. These combined to create a world that was, if not realistic, at least believable. But more importantly, underlying everything he wrote was Lovecrafts powerful, but depressing philosophy: the universe does not care about humanity, we are on our own, and if we were to really figure out the astounding forces at work with little regard to our achievements we would go insane. Unlike Ayn Rand, Lovecrafts bleak message will not inspire droves of dedicated followers trying to translate his works into economic policy. But it makes for good reading (unlike Ayn Rand).