Older Gods Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy feels bad about his friend dying while investigating a cult, so he goes to a spooky cottage in Wales to stare at photos and maybe go crazy, while creepy voices whisper about ancient napping gods.

🍿 Older Gods: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Investigating a Friend’s Mysterious Death

The film centers on Chris Rivers, an American man who travels to a remote cottage in Wales following the mysterious death of his childhood friend, Billy. Billy, a psychologist, had been researching an apocalyptic cult and its connection to ritualistic killings. Chris arrives at the cottage, finding Billy’s extensive research, including notes, photos, and audio/video recordings. He feels compelled by guilt over not being there for Billy to piece together what happened.

Uncovering a Sinister Cult

As Chris delves into Billy’s materials, he learns about a cult that believes humanity lives within the dream of an ancient, sleeping ‘Elder God’. The cult practices ritual sacrifices, believing this creates ‘light’ that will wake the deity. Billy’s research suggests the cult’s activities span globally and connect seemingly disparate events and individuals. Chris begins to suspect he is not alone at the isolated cottage.

Descent into Psychological Distress

The isolation of the cottage and the unsettling nature of Billy’s findings begin to take a toll on Chris’s mental state. He experiences vivid nightmares and unsettling visions. The line between reality and hallucination blurs as he becomes consumed by the mystery and the potential threat posed by the cult, or perhaps by his own fracturing psyche.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chris Rivers (Rory Wilson): The protagonist who descends into madness while investigating the mysterious cult that caused his friend’s death.
• William Duffy (Ieuan Coombs): The protagonist’s deceased friend whose research into an apocalyptic cult initiates the central mystery.
• Paula Connor (Lindsay Bennett-Thompson): A key supporting character, likely the protagonist’s wife or girlfriend, representing his connection to normal life.
• The Watcher (Jonathan Keeble): A mysterious voice or entity connected to the cult who interacts with and observes the protagonist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chris’ wife: “Why couldn’t you have done it in a hut in Hawaii?” – Said during a phone call to Chris, expressing exasperation and disbelief at the dangerous and remote location he chose for his investigation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $500,000
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 Older Gods Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into Older Gods expecting some spooky cult stuff, and while it had that, it really hit differently. It felt less like a typical horror flick and more like watching someone slowly unravel because of grief and guilt, which was surprisingly effective. There’s this constant creepy vibe, especially with the sound and how they shot everything. Some of the shots in the Welsh countryside and those weird scar effects really stuck with me. Yeah, the plot gets a little hazy towards the end, and I wasn’t totally sold on every single bit, but I appreciated that it wasn’t just gore and jump scares. It made me think about stuff afterwards, which is pretty cool for a horror movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of H.P. Lovecraft and cosmic horror”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slow-burn psychological thrillers”
  • “Admirers of independent horror films”
  • “Those interested in themes of guilt, madness, and existential dread”
  • “People looking for atmospheric and visually-driven horror over gore”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Horror violence and disturbing images (implied ritual killings, scars, unsettling visions)”
  • “Psychological distress and descent into madness”
  • “Themes of death, suicide, and grief”
  • “Isolated and claustrophobic settings”

Professional Reviews

• Cult Horror Monthly: “Older Gods is a slow-burn dive into Lovecraftian dread that impressively leverages its low budget through atmosphere and strong cinematography. While the plot can feel a bit muddled and the pacing occasionally drags, the film excels at building unsettling tension. Rory Wilson delivers a compelling performance carrying much of the film alone. It’s a thinking person’s horror that foregoes jump scares for psychological creepiness.
• Indie Film Quarterly: “David A. Roberts’ debut feature ‘Older Gods’ showcases ambition and visual flair, particularly in its haunting Welsh locations and unsettling dream sequences. However, the narrative struggles under the weight of exposition and a somewhat vague central conflict. While the performances are solid, especially considering the constrained setting, the film’s ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving thematic threads unresolved.
• Genre Critic Online: “This is a fascinating, albeit flawed, attempt at cosmic horror. ‘Older Gods’ effectively uses sound design and cinematography to create a pervasive sense of unease. The core idea, tying Lovecraftian themes to guilt and loss, is compelling. While some dialogue feels inorganic and certain plot points lack clarity, the film’s commitment to atmosphere over gore is commendable. It’s a promising effort from a small team.

Audience Reactions

Viewers praised the film’s atmospheric tension and unique approach to horror.: The cinematography, sound design, and lead performance were frequently highlighted as strong points, creating a genuinely unsettling mood.

The Lovecraftian and psychological elements resonated with many fans.: Its focus on slow-burn dread, cosmic themes, and the protagonist’s descent into madness appealed to those looking for something beyond typical slasher fare.

Opinions were divided on the plot clarity and the ending.: Some found the story compelling and thought-provoking, while others felt it was too vague, meandering, and the conclusion unsatisfying.

Overall Consensus: A divisive but often praised indie horror film appreciated for its strong atmosphere, Lovecraftian themes, and psychological depth, despite some criticisms regarding plot clarity and pacing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s story was written by director David A. Roberts as a way to process his grief and guilt after his friend passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic before they could have a planned video call, exploring themes of coping with loss and guilt.”

🖥️ How to Watch Older Gods?

Discover where to watch the indie cosmic horror film ‘Older Gods’. As of late 2023 and into 2024, it has been available on various streaming platforms, including free services like Tubi in some regions. It has also been noted as available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Check major digital marketplaces like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for potential purchase or rental options, supporting the filmmakers directly. Availability may vary by region and time.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Older Gods, you might like these similar films:

• The Empty Man (2020): A modern cosmic horror film centered on a former police officer investigating a missing girl, which leads him into a rabbit hole involving a mysterious cult and unsettling paranormal phenomena.
• In the Mouth of Madness (1994): A direct tribute to H.P. Lovecraft’s work, featuring an insurance investigator searching for a missing horror author whose writing is causing madness and potentially bringing cosmic entities into the world.
• Black Mountain Side (2014): Focuses on a team of archaeologists experiencing psychological deterioration and strange events after discovering an inexplicable structure in a remote location, creating a sense of isolated dread and cosmic horror.
• The Wicker Man (1973): Features a devout Christian police officer investigating a disappearance on a remote Scottish island, uncovering a secluded pagan community with unsettling rituals and beliefs.
• The Borderlands (2013): A UK-based found footage horror film where Vatican investigators examine strange occurrences in a remote church, uncovering disturbing truths about a local cult and its dark history.

🛒 Older Gods Related Products

• H.P. Lovecraft: The Complete Fiction: A comprehensive collection of Lovecraft’s chilling cosmic horror stories that heavily influenced the movie’s themes.
• Mansions of Madness (Second Edition): A cooperative board game of horror and mystery, set in the Lovecraftian universe. Explore eerie locations, solve puzzles, and battle monstrous creatures.
• The Empty Man (Digital Movie): Another critically discussed modern horror film involving mysterious disappearances and a sinister cult, often compared to ‘Older Gods’.
• Lovecraftian Cult Symbol Poster: An artistic print featuring stylized symbols inspired by Lovecraft’s lore and themes often associated with cults in his stories.

🎧 Soundtrack

Older Gods features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Original Motion Picture Score” – performed by Gerald Buckfield

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Young girl is changed in seconds! #God #Jesus #bible

This super short clip has gone totally viral! It touches on religious themes that might make you think about some elements in the movie – kind of intriguing, right?

How Ancient Egyptians Sounded

Okay, maybe not directly about demons, but have you ever wondered what ancient languages sounded like? This quick video from WIRED is surprisingly cool and different!

Book of Genesis Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1)

Want to understand some of the biblical ideas behind stories of creation, good vs. evil, and the fall? This animated Genesis summary from BibleProject is fantastic context for themes sometimes found in movies like this one!

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