The full title of this flick is H.P. Lovecraft’s From Beyond, but if you’re looking for a faithful adaptation of Lovecraft’s famous works of gothic fiction, you’re shit out of luck. If you’d prefer a film that combines the demonspawn and bondage of Hellraiser with the grotesque special effects of Reanimator (plus its deliciously campy star, Jeffrey Combs), look no further!
From Beyond is the sort of film that establishes itself as a B-movie as quickly as possible, so you can sit back and enjoy the viscera-drenched monstrosities on display without wondering about silly questions. Which is convenient, because there are some awfully pertinent questions; like, when a psychiatrist and a police officer accompany a mental patient to a house and promptly summon creatures “from beyond”… maybe don’t decide to spend the night in that house?
The film is entertaining enough as a B-movie. The plot is both threadbare and unoriginal, but mostly exists as an excuse to showcase those special effects: twisted creatures dripping with gallons of goo, and protuberances snaking their way from foreheads. It never amounts to anything substantial sadly: there’s a reason people still talk about The Thing or Reanimator while From Beyond has been forgotten.
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Not totally forgotten. In fact, there was a big push to get this released to DVD a few years ago…and I am the proud owner of a copy. Also, if you had first seen this like I did…autumn of 1986, in a small theater late at night, tiny appreciative audience—you might just rate it higher. I was 21 years old, and it was a load of fun. But “Re-Animator” is still better. ML
Yeah, I can imagine this would make for a great late night cinema screening. A mid-afternoon solo viewing probably wasn’t the optimal context!
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Great review! 🙂 Did I talk you into watching this?! Lol. Can’t remember! I actually found it more memorable than Re-Animator. I mean, it’s shit… Lol. But it’s fun!
I think so! I know I added it to my list after reading someone’s review on here, and I’m pretty sure it was yours! I dunno, I like Reanimator; I think because of the way it gradually accumulates camp but this one is just nuts from the get-go.