I’m going to need you to log into your HBOMax account, put on Lovecraft County, and then set the remote down until you finish the first episode.
Set during the days of the Jim Crow south, Lovecraft Country follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors), a recently discharged soldier as he returns home. He’s received a strange letter from his father claiming that Atticus’ birthright has been hidden from him, and that it is hidden in an area of the country that sounds strangely like an H.P. Lovecraft story. His uncle writes reviews of “negro safe” travel options, providing a guidebook that keeps Black people from stumbling into dangerous areas that could get them killed by racists. Wanting to find out just what happened to his father, Atticus and his uncle set out to go find Ardham. Joining them is Leticia (Jurnee Smollett) Lewis. She is a musician who recently used all the money she had left in the world to bail out friends who were arrested for protesting for Civil Rights. She’s also in it deep with her family for missing her mother’s funeral for what seem like some deep-seeded abuse reasons, but they haven’t really gotten into all that just yet. With no where to go, she hitches a ride with Atticus and his Uncle. They encounter not only pretty crazy racists, but creatures beyond their imaginations. Oh, and episode 1 “Sundown” ends on one heck of a cliffhanger.
Lovecraft Country is knocking it out of the park. The costumes are on point, the music is incredible, and the settings are perfectly believable. While the first episode, “Sundown”, is designed to introduce us to characters from the book. Jurnee Smollett, whom many will recognize as Black Canary from the recent Birds of Prey live action film, is absolutely amazing in the show. For those who don’t know what a “Sundown Town” is, you’re going to figure that out pretty quick. Lovecraft Country doesn’t shy away from the racism Black people experience, but rather displays it in all its disgusting brutal glory. There is also some language and sexuality, so remember this is for adults folks. The series is based on a book of the same name, if you are so inclined to skip ahead.
Lovecraft Country airs Sunday nights on HBO. Don’t miss it.
