Retro Horror Review ‘Dagon’: Stuart Gordon returns to Lovecraft with Fish People and Sea Gods

In his fourth bite at the Lovecraft apple, director Stuart Gordon took on Dagon. The 2001 Spanish horror film was based on the novella The Shadow Over Innsmouth, and was adapted by Dennis Paoli (Re-Animator- co-writer).Famously hard to adapt for the big screen, Gordon became a master of horror with his adaptations of Re-Animator, From Beyond, and Castle Freak.

Renowned author H.P. Lovecraft may not be a household name for many, but his influence is all over pop culture. The term “Cosmic Horror” is often labeled for works that have a flair for Lovecraft‘s obsession with the cosmos, other dimensions, and the horrors that reside there.

Dagon stars Ezra Godden (Dreams in the Witch House), Francisco Rabal, Raquel Merino, Macarena Gomez, and Birgit Bofarull. Paul Marsh (Godden) and his girlfriend Barbara (Merino) are vacationing on their yacht off the shores of Spain with friends Vicki (Bofarull) and Howard. When a freak storm rolls in, crashing their boat onto the rocks, they try to signal the mainland but come up empty-handed. Having no choice, as Vicki has been hurt and can’t move, Paul and Barbara head to shore to find help.

The seemingly abandoned fishing town we’ll come to know as Imboca (Spanish for Innsmouth) is in ruin. It isn’t until they stumble upon a church like no other that they find their first villager, a local priest who offers to assist. As the two are forced to split up, Paul heads back to the boat with a few fishermen while Barb heads to the local hotel to try and call for help.

With the bodies of Vicki and Howard missing, Barbara not at the hotel, and the strange fish-like townsfolk pouring into the streets as the sun sets. Paul realizes something sinister is happening in this run-down village and must find Barbara and leave at once. His nightmares are also becoming more visceral and frequent as the mermaid in his visions, Uxia (Gomez), is here in the town calling out to him.

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It isn’t until he runs into the only other human remaining in Imboca, the town drunk Ezequiel (Rabal – in his final role before his death), that he is told of the tragic past that led to such ruin and damnation. After too many seasons of poor fishing hauls, the townsfolk offered a sacrifice, Ezequiel’s parents, to the sea god Dagon. When scores of fish and riches are bestowed upon the town, the residents rejected Christianity and begin to worship the deity. Offering blood sacrifices and the townswomen in return for prosperity. 

Paul and Ezequiel are captured and reunited with Barbara and Vicki. However, the reunion doesn’t last long as the group rejects the town folks’ offer to worship with them and systematically be sacrificed. Paul will have to face a dark reality of who he really is and decide what’s more important to him: his past or the world now open to him.

Dagon is not a great movie. However, despite language barriers, a minuscule budget, terrible CGI, and a less seasoned cast, the finished product is well made and highly entertaining. Like other Gordon films, there seems to be a sense of self-awareness at how utterly goofy some of the set pieces are. Then at times, the seriousness of the moment is played so earnestly that it becomes unnerving. You must take this movie at face value and see the filmmaker’s heart beating throughout the narrative, no matter how dark it goes. 

The Spanish filming locations lend a lot to the feel and tone of the movie. Dilapidated houses falling in on themselves, fish motifs throughout the village, and narrow alleyways give the town claustrophobic energy seeming to keep the outside world out. There is a sense of foreboding, which I credit to the production design, which is top-notch. 

The practical effects, prosthetics, and makeup in Dagon are well done. From the mermaid, mutant townsfolk, sea god, and gore, it is clear where every bit of the budget went. From the subtlety of webbed fingers or a head-turning to see gills along the neck, each effect adds another layer to the town’s secrets. And when they go big, like skinning a man while he’s still alive and showing every fun detail, you’re amazed at the craftmanship despite the budgetary limitations. It is all imposing and there on the screen. 

Stuart Gordon was a unique director; his energy can be felt in all his films. He had a connection to cosmic horror, and we’re the better for it as these works are still celebrated today. With Dagon, the limitations were there, but that didn’t stop him from making a unique adaptation that is highly watchable and engaging. We lost an influential voice in horror too soon, but his work will be there always. If you’re into cosmic or aquatic horror or a fan of Gordon‘s movies, it’s definitely worth checking out. 2.5/5

You check out the trailer for Dagon below and the film is now streaming for free on TubiTv. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for all things horror, sci-fi, fantasy and everything in between.

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