A new trailer for the upcoming HBO horror series Lovecraft Country is giving eager viewers some additional insight into the story. Created via a collaboration between Jordan Peele and writer Misha Green, with J.J. Abrams and Ben Stephenson joining as producers, the show is looking to be a terrifying dive into fantasy and reality alike in 1950s America.
Jordan Peele has quickly proven himself to be a master of surreal horror. The former Mad TV star turned director has been cranking out frightening passion projects over the past few years, and Lovecraft Country looks to be no different. Based on the book of the same name by Matt Ruff, the show focuses on Atticus Black (Jonathan Majors), a young Black man whose search for his father may be partially fueled by his interest in stories about "heroes who get to go on adventures [and] defeat monsters." Given that the name Lovecraft is present in the show's title, those monsters are sure to be both metaphorical and horrifyingly literal.
Atticus begins his journey not only to find his father, but claim a "secret birthright" that's been kept from his family. He's joined by his friend Letitia Dandridge (Jurnee Smollett) and his Uncle George Black (Courtney B. Vance) as they take a road trip to find some answers. Naturally, this won't be a simple road movie where the real treasure is the friends they make along the way. Monsters, both human and supernatural alike, make several appearances in the trailer, and those are just the ones being teased. Lovecraft Country promises plenty of opportunities to keep the heart racing, one way or another.
Peele's penchant for social commentary seems to be making an appearance as well. As Atticus mentions "monsters," a police officer armed with a shotgun and a smug smile is seen walking towards the camera. The show is not only set in a notoriously rough time for Black Americans, but based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft, whose prejudiced views were well known. With all this combined, it seems the project was tailor-made to be a Jordan Peele production.
Lovecraft Country comes to HBO on August 16th.
Source: Nerdist