Charles Dexter Ward, a wealthy scientist, uses an ancient diary and human remains to begin a terrifying and bloody pursuit for immortality.
Practical Effects
Grotesque creature designs that ooze and pulsate beautifully.
Acting
Chris Sarandon devouring dual roles with sinister glee.
Direction
Dan O'Bannon's only Lovecraft adaptation, criminally underseen.
Director
Dan O'Bannon
John Terry
John March
Jane Sibbett
Claire Ward
Chris Sarandon
Charles Dexter Ward / Joseph Curwen
Robert Romanus
Lonnie Peck
Ken Camroux-Taylor
Captain Ben Szandor
Bernard Cuffling
Dr. Waite
Megan Leitch
Eliza
Charles K. Pitts
Ezra Ward
Philip Maurice Hayes
Uniform Cop
Paul Jarrett
Town Father #1
Lee Matheson
Town Father #2 / Town Father
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Dan O'Bannon wrote Alien and directed Return of the Living Dead, making this his perfect bridge between sci-fi horror and zombie mayhem.
Largely ignored on release due to direct-to-video burial, it's now considered the most faithful Lovecraft adaptation despite its low budget — beating studio attempts that spent ten times more.
US
