Most people believe that books are much better than the screenplays that are based on them. Although the series just started, Lovecraft Country might be an exception to this rule. Producer and director Jordan Peele hits his fans with another masterpiece in this mind-wrenching supernatural horror series with the help of the developer, Misha Green.
The story follows Atticus Black (Jonathan Majors), a young Black man from the southside of Chicago who travels across Jim Crow America in the 1950s with his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) and his friend Leticia (Jurnee Smollett), in search of his missing father. As his search continues, he learns of dark secrets tormenting a town on which famous horror author H.P. Lovecraft supposedly based the location of his novels. The deeper he goes, the more he becomes involved and the more he learns about himself and his family history.

The show is exceptional with little downsides so far. The most impressive aspect of the show is how it captivates the audience at every turn of the show. It is full of action, monsters, magic and spirits. It always keeps the viewer guessing with mysteries and secrets that lead to even more mysteries and secrets. It seems like there’s a plot twist that could be waiting in every little scene, which is a good thing because no one enjoys a predictable story. This aspect of the series is what brings in so many viewers every week.

The plot keeps you hooked throughout the show. It’s more than a regular supernatural show. It symbolizes the terrors and troubles that African-Americans went through during the 1950s. Not only did they deal with the real monsters of the show, but they also deal with the monsters in the everyday life that Black people went through in that time period. The characters deal with racist people in a lot of scenes, running from cops in one scene and fighting with white people in another. There are plenty of historical references and allusions which make the show even more interesting, such as one of the characters in the third episode is supposed to represent Emmett Till before he takes his trip. The more you watch, the more you notice the subtle symbolism and nuances in the plot.

Another great aspect of the series is the characters. You almost feel connected to them, and each one of them has their own journey that they are going through as they embark on the overarching journey. The characters are connected by more than just the situation they are in, but they are also connected through families. The actors portray the characters extremely well, and the characters all have their own stories. Each of the main characters has their own flaws and tribulations that they have to get through which makes the characters real and relatable. For example, Atticus’s relationship with his father isn’t ideal. His father was rough on him, and they don’t agree on much. The character depth and different stories make the show worthwhile.

The setting of the show varies from place to place in Jim Crow America. The setting is very important to the story because a lot of the aspects of the show have to do with the difficulties of being Black in America. Not only that, but the setting is also important to Atticus’ family history. As the show progresses, the viewer can see that the setting plays an important role in each of the characters’ lives. It affects the plot and the way the characters develop.
The show just started and only has four episodes out on HBO, but it’s already got a rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. While I wish there were more episodes out, so I would be able to binge-watch, waiting for every Sunday at nine p.m. almost adds to the suspense of the series. Once you watch one episode, you just can’t wait for the next one. I highly recommend watching this show, as it helps you escape from regular life by diving into supernatural fantasy.

5/5