HBO’s supernatural saga explores real-world prejudice and gets lost in overly familiar genre territory.
TheHBOdrama, premiering Sunday at 9 p.m.
In fairness, H.P.
Courtney B. Vance, Jonathan Majors, and Jurnee Smollett in ‘Lovecraft Country’.Credit: Eli Joshua Ade/HBO
Lovecraft couldn’t write dialogue either.
It’s a topical concept, visible in other meta-Lovecraft inquisitions like N.K.
Jemisin’s exuberantThe City We Becameand Alan Moore’s despondentProvidence.
He’s a good monument to tear down or, at least, to decorate with some glorious graffiti.
The killer soundtrack trends playfully anachronistic, blending Leikeli47 andCardi Bwith Gil Scott-Heron and Ntozake Shange.
Yet other anachronisms are just silly.
Leti’s initially more fun, a prodigal semi-bohemian with a cross-country lifestyle.
Vance is great as always, calmly amused when he isn’t believably terrified.
Lovecraft Countrydigs deep into the regular horrors of the American experiment.
The most interesting character is, worrisomely, the furthest from the larger narrative.
The subplot isn’t perfect.
One could argue that line was already stale whenChris Hemsworthparaphrased it inThor 1.
Showrunner Misha Green adapted Matt Ruff’s novel, alongside executive producersJordan PeeleandJ.J.
I respect their ambition, and hope the series finds its footing.
Right now, they’re skewering Lovecraft’s beliefs but can’t compete with his singular horror vision.
They’re better people making worse art.C+
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