We review HBO's Lovecraft Country

Coinciding with its premiere on 1Magic tonight at 21:30, Lovecraft Country is the next HBO series aiming to shatter the ceiling. It seems that objective has already been achieved with international reviewers already labeling it as another masterpiece from the brilliant and much revered Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us). In this one he is in esteemed company with J.J Abrams joining him to round off a series that is well set to be one of the few shining lights of 2020.

HBO best describes the one-hour drama series as being based on the 2016 novel by Matt Ruff, follows Atticus Black as he joins his friend Letitia and his Uncle George to embark on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father. What follows is a struggle to survive and overcome both the racist terrors of white America and the terrifying monsters that could be ripped from an H.P. Lovecraft paperback.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvamPJp17Ds

Now truth be told, I admit to not particularly being a fan of Jordan Peele’s work, so imagine my feelings when I got the opportunity to review his latest piece of work, sceptical to say the least. For one I have always said that I’m not a horror fan and to this day the appeal of it (which I understand what others get) for me, personally, I have never been encapsulated by. Jordan Peele very much specialises in that but always manages to put a spin on things with the inclusion of a black cast driving the story line, we’ve seen it in Us and Get Out.

Despite my reservations, I decided to give it a try and the result is a tough one to determine. For one I enjoyed the opening sequence of it and of course the clever inclusion and shining a light on racial issues and biases, but like with most horror titles and especially Peele’s work, weird sequences tend to deflect away from the good, at least that’s what I thought. I get that the premise is mostly horror but I just wish less was more in this instance. So yes, if you are not particularly a horror fan then chances of you liking this are quite minimal.

Having said all of that, it’s all according to personal taste, in as much as it’s not for me, I’m confident that many others will like it a lot. It’s different, edgy and certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat with tons of intrigue also included as part of it. And that’s what good entertainment is all about really.

We also have confirmation that in addition to 1Magic, it will be also be hitting Showmax real soon but in stages, specifically there will be 4 episodes on 8 September, followed by the next 4 on 6 October, and the final two being available on 20 October. Like all horror movies, this one is not for the kids so best to keep that in mind … it also explains why the timing it currently has on 1Magic, which by the way, and to remind you, is 21:30. Catch the first episode tonight and I look forward to the numerous debates I’m going to have with various individuals about this one, especially those that like it, which again there will be plenty I’m sure.

Special mention to the Showmax team for letting us into the early pre-screener, as always, classy.

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#1Magic #HBO #Jordan Peele #Lovecraft Country #Showmax

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Thabiso Moloi

With many, many years of PR, digital & influencer marketing work under his belt, Thabiso has worked on a great number of technology, business and consumer brands. In addition, he has become obsessed with most things under the sun including music, series, sports, movies etc which he now regularly writes about. You can find him on Twitter: @Thabz_14