Innsmouth is a 2015 short horror film that was directed by Izzy Lee, who co-wrote and co-produced the film with Francesco Massaccesi. The film premiered on August 19, 2015 and is inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft, particularly The Shadow over Innsmouth.[1][2]

Innsmouth
Movie screenshot
Directed byIzzy Lee
Written byIzzy Lee
Francesco Massaccesi
Produced byIzzy Lee
Francesco Massaccesi
StarringDiana Porter
Tristan Risk
Izzy Lee
CinematographyBryan McKay
Edited byCorey Norman
Music byTimothy Fife
Production
company
Nihil Noctem Films
Release date
  • August 19, 2015 (2015-08-19)
Running time
11 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film received attention for its predominantly female cast, as many of Lovecraft's works tended to feature predominantly or solely male characters.[1] Of this, Lee stated that "Innsmouth was created to make Lovecraft roll over in his grave a little by having the cast 98% female and switching the gender roles.”[3]

Synopsis

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Detective Olmstead has arrived on a peculiar crime scene, with a body that has both a bite wound and an egg sac on her back. Her only clue is a photograph of the victim with a strange woman. Olmstead manages to determine that the photograph was taken in Innsmouth and travels there in search of answers, which causes her to cross paths with Alice Marsh.

Cast

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  • Diana Porter as Detective Olmstead
  • Tristan Risk as Alice Marsh
  • Izzy Lee as Izzy
  • Sophia Cacciola as Body
  • Vera Schränkung as Henchwoman #1
  • Porcelain Dalya as Henchwoman #2
  • J. Zocalo as Cop #1
  • Phil Healy as Cop #2

Reception

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Critical reception for the short has been positive and many outlets such as Rue Morgue praised Risk's acting and character.[4][5] Dread Central complimented the film for "stick[ing] to the Lovecraftian legend and even has tons of the details of the town correct, right down to the year it was founded and the last name of Marsh, which was a critical moniker in the Innsmouth of the Lovecraftian universe."[6] Starburst also praised Risk's role in the movie and commented that they wished that it had been longer, "as the mythology of the original novella could have been explored even further."[2] Diabolique magazine commented that the film was "Lee’s most striking work. While she has collaborated with cinematographer Bryan McKay before, Innsmouth is by far and away their best joint effort."[3] Icons of Fright's review was also positive, stating that Innsmouth "is exactly what short films should be: a glimpse of the talent behind the filmmaker and their stars, a story that leaves you wanting more, in the best of ways."[7]

Awards

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  • Best Short Screenplay at Monster Fest (2015, won)[8]
  • Best Supporting Actress at Vancouver Badass Short FF (2016, won - Tristan Risk)[9]
  • Best Short at GenreBlast Film Festival 2016[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Travel to Innsmouth for a Teaser and Some Stills". Dread Central. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  2. ^ a b "INNSMOUTH (Short Film)". Starburst Magazine. Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  3. ^ a b "Izzy Lee puts a New Spin on Lovecraft with Short INNSMOUTH". Diabolique Magazine. 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  4. ^ McKenzie, Ron. "Film review: Nihil Noctem's Lovecraftian short, INNSMOUTH". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  5. ^ Vijn, Ard. "NecronomiCon Providence 2015 Review: INNSMOUTH Is Short But Shocking". TwitchFilm. Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  6. ^ "Innsmouth (Short, 2015)". Dread Central. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  7. ^ "Review: INNSMOUTH". Icons of Fright. 2015-08-27. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  8. ^ "MONSTER FEST ANNOUNCES 2015 AWARD WINNERS". Monster Fest (archived). Retrieved 2016-02-05.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Vancouver Badass Film Festival". Vancouver Badass Film Festival. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  10. ^ "Innsmouth, a Lovecraft horror film".
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