The Thing on the Doorstep

Director - Tom Gliserman (Rag Dolly on the U.S.S.R.)
Starring - David Bunce (Arachnia), Susan Cicarelli-Caputo, and Mary Jane Hansen
Release Date - 2014
Genre - Horror/Mystery
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I watched the 1985 classic zombie film Re-Animator and was floored by it.  This was a movie I had heard people talk about over and over again so I decided to finally check it out.  After that point I became a fan of H.P. Lovecraft, Stuart Gordon, and Jeffrey Combs.  I watch Re-Animator monthly, have read all of H.P. Lovecraft's work, and watched almost all of Stuart Gordon's films.  I even have Herbert West tattooed on my arm along with Cthulhu.  Several films have been made over the years that has been adapted from the work of Lovecraft and I try to watch them all when I get the chance.  Several months back MVD sent me the film The Thing on the Doorstep to review which is obviously an adaption of the short story by the same name.  This was on I really wanted to check out but was weary.  The short story is not one of his best works and does well to hold your attention as a short story so I could not imagine this one as a feature length film.  Either way, it was this film's time to go under the knife.

     The film follows Daniel Upton (Bunce) who just shot his best friend Edward six times and claims that he did not kill him.  We then jump back sometime and we meet Daniel and Edward.  The pair are best friends from two separate worlds.  Daniel is a middle class man that became friends with Edward when he started working for Edward's father.  Edward, however, grew up in a life of luxury and has neglected responsibilities for most of his life.  That is until Edward meets a mysterious woman and the two soon marry.  Not long after, Edward changes and not for the good.  The newlyweds purchase an old home that has been long abandoned for some time.  Edward then becomes a recluse and only talks to Daniel when forced.  Soon, Edward starts to open up about his new bride and the strange things going on in the home.  This turns out to be a mistake on Edward's part when his wife finds out.  Edward begins to act even more strange.  Is Edward's wife a dark and sinister being or is there something else going on?
     What I love about H.P. Lovecraft is the atmosphere he is able to conjure using only words.  That is one of my biggest complaints about the film adaptions.  They are never able to capture the atmosphere necessary to make an H.P. Lovecraft film look and feel like the gothic noir tales he writes about.  With that being said, The Thing on the Doorstep is able to capture that unlike any other adaptation that I have seen.  The acting in this film is solid by the entire cast but some lights shine brighter than others.  Our lead, David Bunce, did an outstanding job in his role.  His character was very sincere and you can tell he gave the film his all.  The remainder of the cast does a solid job but Bunce really shines in the film.  The story for this one is a really great adaptation of the classic Lovecraft short that stays true to the source material while keeping it in present day.  With that being said, the film is just way too damn long with scenes full of some of the blandest dialogue.  This will really try the viewer's patience.  This film would have worked better as a short just like the story.  Finally, the film doesn't really have kill scenes and if you expect them then you really have no clue who Lovecraft is.  The purpose of this film is to tell a dark and brooding story with some beautiful shots which the latter is something the film does perfectly.  This film is beautiful from start to finish with the exception of some cheap CGI.  Overall, The Thing on the Doorstep is a faithful adaption of the work of H.P. Lovecraft but the film fails to capture the viewers attention.  This is a damn shame because the film really is remarkable and should be edited heavily.  It still deserves at least one viewing.