The John Carpenter Horror Special Effects Fan Favorite An Entire Generation Is Missing

In the Mouth of Madness opens with a mental patient recanting his tale of woe to his psychiatrist at a hospital. The institutionalized man, John Trent (Sam Neill), begins his story to Dr. Wrenn (David Warner) by revealing that the works of famed horror novelist Sutter Cane were the reason behind his confinement. The film flashes back to an earlier time when Trent, an insurance investigator, is summoned to meet with an insurance company about a claim filed by Cane’s book publisher.

Trent reveals that while he and his client are having lunch, a crazed man with an ax attacks their table. The man is identified as Sutter Cane’s literary agent after being shot dead by police. Trent is told that the man read Cane’s last book and lost his mind, killing his family before trying to kill Trent and his colleague.

In the Mouth of Madness sees Trent investigating Cane’s publisher, Arcane Publishing, for possible insurance fraud when the company posits that their top writer has disappeared without a trace. As Cane is their hottest commodity, they want the policy they have on the writer paid out but are met with a lot of cynicism from both Trent and the insurance company.

Trent and Cane’s editor Linda (Julie Carmen) set out to find the missing author. The pair use references drawn from the cover of Cane’s novels to locate the supposedly fictional village of Hobb’s End, only to have it populated with who appear to be characters from various works by Cane. As In the Mouth of Madness continues, you’re not quite sure if Trent and Linda are experiencing a massive publicity stunt for the release of Cane’s latest novel or if their entire existence is the result of the words typed out by Cane.

In the Mouth of Madness weaves in plenty of uncertainty with its multiple levels of psychological and body horror. Inspired in part by H.P. Lovecraft’s story At the Mountains of Madness, its use of the storied horror author’s lore of ancient races of gods and monsters becomes evident as the film progresses. While not directly a Lovecraft adaptation, the movie is a clear homage to his works.

In the Mouth of Madness takes crazy twists and turns as Linda and Trent finally meet and confront Cane, who says that the growing number of readers who believe his books to be reality have led to ancient gods returning to the Earth to reclaim their home. Is the end of humanity at stake, or is Trent experiencing a life that is dictated by Cane’s written words?

The film is a riveting one that burns fast. Contemporary critics have noted that the film’s multiple layers and complex story line are to its detriment, although the payoff is well worth the level of attention that it takes to survive its 95-minute runtime. In the Mouth of Madness is not for the passive viewer as it’s easy to lose your way as the layers of John Carpenter’s film begin to be peeled back.

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In the Mouth of Madness generates scares through its unique story line and the way the director navigates the production through subject matter that’s equal parts intense and horrifying.

In the Mouth of Madness is sadly not available to stream for free, but you can rent the classic John Carpenter film On Demand through Vudu, Google Play, and AppleTV.