Rewatch: In the Mouth of Madness

Reviewed by Noël
Recommended by Casey

90's classic about a cynical insurance agent and his search for a missing horror writer. 

Now, the first time I saw this movie was a WHILE ago; we are talking at least 20 years. I had vague memories of some scenes (the bike rider and the inn keeper) and I remembered enjoying the movie overall, but I was pretty hazy on all the details. I went on a huge Carpenter kick a while back until I started to realize he had some real snoozy duds out there (cough cough, the Fog) so I was a little worried this might not hold up, but watching In the Mouth of Madness again turned out to be a real treat. It was full of cameos I had forgotten, fun details and lots of creepy goodness. Also it was fun to see all the 90's fashion, including vaguely victorian hair styles on a woman, lots of ugly mahogany and the main character's boring ass home that looks like a hotel. Also realizing that if I had more of a background in Lovecraft, I may have understood some more of the references that were being thrown about here (this will not be the first time I say this during this season's challenge.) 

I really enjoyed the re-shaping of reality that happens in this film, especially as it considers the written word, religion, faith and cynicism. There are conversations between people about when does fiction become religion, how 'weak-minded' people are affected by books, and also how you just gotta BELIEVE. I'm all in. 

Best line: "I think, therefore you are."