"Lovecraft Country" Won't Be for Everyone - But it’s Necessary Television
There is so much new content out right now and with everyone spending more time at home that means more time for binge watching of course! HBO has been coming out with a lot of great new shows. One new series that will promise not to disappoint is “Lovecraft Country” on HBO. It’s a much-needed show that forces viewers to interrupt their entertainment for regular confrontations with a past that's never too far in the past and nightmares that are hard to relegate to the realm of fiction.
Based on Matt Ruff's 2016 critically acclaimed horror novel, Lovecraft Country was created, directed, written, and executive produced by Misha Green and co-produced by Jordan Peele.
The name Lovecraft Country comes from the author H.P. Lovecraft who was an influential author who inspired today’s greats like Stephen King, Junji Ito, and Guillermo del Toro. Not only is Lovecraft extremely racist, but his stories are based off of intertwining narratives where each character navigating various horrific tales. Oh, and he would “subtly” inject his beliefs into his writing – so there’s THAT.
Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) and Letitia “Leti” Lewis (Smollett) encounter racism during a roadtrip in the first episode of Lovecraft Country.
Elizabeth MorrisHBO
The show has a talented cast starring Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, and Courtney B. Vance and follows the protagonist Atticus Freeman along with his childhood friend Letitia, and his uncle George. Heading out on a road trip across Jim Crow America in the 1950’s looking for Atticus' missing father. They group realizes that the scariest monsters aren’t always the things that go bump in the night, but could be your neighbor, your firefighter or the local sheriff.
For those who don’t know Jim Crow laws were local laws that kept Black citizens segregated. (I.e. the separate entrances, bathrooms, and water fountains.) The colored facilities were usually not up to the same standards as the white facilities. One of the pro Jim Crow slogans was ‘separate but equal.’ That was usually not the case. During the Jim Crow era the United States fought in multiple wars where white and Black G.I.s fought side by side. There is a reference in the first episode about the way that Black G.I.s fought for this country just to come back and be treated like animals.
During crows country travel Black travelers would use ‘The Negro Motorist Green Book,’ a guide of services and places relatively friendly to African Americans, eventually expanding its coverage from the New York area to much of North America, as well as founding a travel agency.
Photo Courtesy of HBO
It's the symbolism for me. The underlying plot of the show is racism, not the monsters. The thought that “monsters” appear in the first episode while driving through “sundown towns,” is a glimpse into modern day racism and battle that POC’s have to encounter on a daily basis. “The monsters are the people. And the people and the history is real,” Green recently said in an interview with Marie Claire.
Lovecraft Country is a look at Lovecraft’s life, legacy, and how present-day fans are grappling with his racism. The timing of the show couldn’t be any better. As we deal with so much economical, societal, and racial injustice the message is clear. I love the idea of this show because as America and the world discuss societal inequities, it can feel like you’re talking about the invisible monster under your bed. Some people are quick to dismiss your fear and concerns simply because it doesn’t fit their narrative.
Catch “Lovecraft Country” on HBO every Sunday at 9PM PST.
