In 1927 there was a historic flood that occurred in the mountains around Arkham, Massachusetts. Soon after that reports were made concerning some strange creatures that were seen floating in the swollen rivers near the area.
Albert Wilmarth (Ken MacGregor) is an instructor of literature at Miskatonic University in Arkham, as well as a student of local folklore. After hearing the stories about strange bodies being observed, Albert decides to visit the area. Newspaper reports state that a local farmer, Ami Pierce (Alan Carroll) has seen some of these dead creatures. Albert seeks the man out. Ami tells Albert that the creatures he saw looked like a giant crab with either fins or wings sticking out of the back and tentacles where its head should be. Albert is advised to forget the matter.
Sometime later Albert’s interest is rekindled when he reads a report in the “Brattleboro Informer” about crablike footprints being found. He contacts the paper asking about anyone else who has information on the subject. Albert receives a letter from a man named Henry Akeley (Mike W. Sexton). Akeley is a hermit whose family has lived in the area for generations. The two men agree to meet. At the meeting Akeley tells Albert that he has seen strange creatures in the woods. He says he has proof that they exist.
Akeley sends Albert a package containing sketches, a phonograph cylinder, a copy of Akeley’s journal and some photographs. As Albert reads the journal Akeley is being besieged by the strange creatures. The intense harassment begins to affect Akeley’s mental stability. Albert receives a letter from Akeley inviting him to come to his cabin assuring him that things have changed. Albert travels to Akeley’s home, but Akeley is not the same man he was when Albert first met him.
“The Whisperer in Darkness” was released in 2007 and was written, directed and produced by Matt Hundley. It is a science fiction film based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft and is a subgenre attributed to Lovecraft’s style called cosmic horror. The movie is a low budget home grown affair and a sort of fan film. The story was done again in 2011 as a movie by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society.
It is a little lethargic and rather talky but that seems to be how Lovecraft’s mind works, a lot of narration and a bit rambly. There is also an unsettling feeling throughout the film that burns slowly but somewhat interminably. Still, it has a lot of pluses that I like in a horror movie, creepy desolate woods, black and white film, an interesting, although infrequent, monster and lots of atmosphere, to name a few.
Acting is spotty but Sexton’s performance as the hermit Akeley, especially later when he begins to change, is pretty good. The ending was also an interesting little twist and was different that the actual Lovecraft story. All in all, not a bad rendering of the tale.