This Unfairly Forgotten 60s Horror Gem Is a Masterclass in Lovecraftian Suspense
Its masterful suspense and social commentary remain relevant to this day.
When it comes to film adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft's works, Stuart Gordon's name immediately comes to mind.
However, long before the Lovecraft boom began, David Greene released The Shuttered Room, which remains one of the most original and suspenseful works in the genre.
What Is 'The Shuttered Room' About?
The movie tells the story of Mike and Susannah, a married couple who visit the eerie island of Dunwich to see the abandoned home of Susannah's parents, but encounter hostility from the locals upon arrival.
When a tramp breaks into the house and leaves blood on the stairs, it awakens an evil that has been dormant for years, making their stay mortally dangerous.
'The Shuttered Room' Is a Unique Lovecraft Adaptation Based on His Drafts
The movie's source material is the short story The Shuttered Room, which has an unusual literary history. August Derleth, the founder of Arkham House and the first popularizer of Lovecraft's work, wrote it based on the master's own unpublished drafts.
Having corresponded with Lovecraft for many years, Derleth knew his style well and modestly referred to himself as a posthumous collaborator. He seamlessly integrated the work into the overall Cthulhu mythos.
Thus, The Shuttered Room offers viewers a unique opportunity to experience an idea with roots directly in Lovecraft's creative laboratory, filtered through the lens of his devoted follower.
'The Shuttered Room' Is the Perfect Blend of Gothic Horror and Social Drama
The Shuttered Room is, on the one hand, a classic Gothic thriller whose aesthetic harks back to the English Gothic novel, complete with dark family secrets.
David Greene utilizes innovative techniques: a subjective camera mimics an invisible antagonist stalking his victims, and low-angle and angled shots reminiscent of German Expressionism create a sense of unreality and impending madness.
On the other hand, it is a poignant social drama. An affluent couple with a new car provokes deep anger among the impoverished inhabitants of an island who are deprived of work and prospects.
This combination of supernatural horror and realistic social critique makes The Shuttered Room a unique phenomenon whose influence can be seen in subsequent works by other directors.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Shuttered Room'?
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On IMDb, The Shuttered Room has a score of 5.8/10.
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On Letterboxd, the movie scored 3.1/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Shuttered Room'?
The Shuttered Room is available to stream on Plex and Mubi.
