HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” blends science fiction and horror with real-life terror, weaving in historical facts from civil rights injustices from America’s past.
The series explores metaphors representative of deeply human fears. “Even in episode one, this idea of ‘sun down’ town — so you can’t be Black after dark in this town. That’s a horror movie right there; that is the real-life horror,” creator Misha Green explained. “And then to play all of that, the monsters show up and you’re almost relieved, because human monsters are terrible, even worse than the real, actual monsters are.”
Jonathan Majors, who portrays Atticus Freeman, introduced the show as “one of the most human stories” he has experienced. “So far, it takes the imagination of human beings and it allows us to move through multiple genres in one season, encompassing the entire emotionality, spirituality and intellect of the human experience,” he said.
But Jurnee Smollett, starring as Letitia “Leti” Lewis, an artist protesting across the country, believes the show is more than a protest art. “Honestly we’re just telling the truth. We’re just exposing the horrors this nation’s been built upon,” she said.
“We’re exposing ugly sides of it but also displaying us as Black Americans in our full living, breathing, fleshed-out selves — full-dimensional characters, who in spite of their oppression, are fighting to maintain their dignity, are fighting to maintain their joy, are people who laugh, are people who make love.”
She added: “And Love Craft Country really at its heart — it’s really family drama.”