Bibliographic details and abstracts are available to all. Downloads of full-text dissertations are restricted to University of Portsmouth members who must login. MPhils may be accessed by all.

Abstract

This dissertation explores the established theories of adaptation from Linda Hutcheon (2013), Brian McFarlane (1996) and Linda Constanzo Cahir (2006) against the effectiveness of H. P. Lovecraft adaptations across different media formats. It evaluates the quality and suitability of Lovecraft's literature for visual adaptations through exploring the conventions of the cosmic horror genre and making comparisons, before evaluating these findings against the aforementioned academic theories.

This analysis is divided into 4 sections. The first section establishes Lovecraft's cosmic horror in literature, providing necessary background to his repertoire to be covered in other sections. The second section looks at film adaptation, specifically Color Out of Space (2019) as a direct adaptation. The third section looks at TV adaptations, two episodes from the animated TV show Love, Death + Robots (2019-present) as an inspired adaptation. The fourth section looks at video games, specifically at Bloodborne (2015), another inspired piece. Each section analysing the cosmic genre and how it is portrayed in the particular media format and whether its successful at portraying Lovecraft's conventions.

 The analysis has shown that the genre struggles to thrive in visual media formats but seems to do better when participation is required from the viewer/player, the media uses animation and if they’re more inspired pieces as opposed to precise adaptations. Though due to the issues of bias and perhaps ‘unlearned’ viewers/players may have different views and opinions on the quality of the case studies chosen, as well as the mediums chosen.

Course: Film Studies - BA (Hons) - C1256

Date Deposited: 2024-08-08

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14434.html