Glorious (2022)

Streaming Service: Shudder
Movie Name/Year: Glorious (2022)
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 1h 19min
Rating: Unrated
Production/Distribution: AMP International, FallBack Plan Productions, Eyevox Entertainment, Citizen Skull Productions, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Shudder
Director: Rebekah McKendry
Writer:  Joshua Hull, David Ian McKendry, Todd Rigney
Actors: Ryan Kwanten, J.K. Simmons
 
Blurb from IMDb: After a breakup, Wes ends up at a remote rest stop. He finds himself locked inside the bathroom with a mysterious figure speaking from an adjacent stall. Soon Wes realizes he is involved in a situation more terrible than he could imagine.

Selina’s Point of View:
About five minutes into Glorious I was rolling my eyes a bit. The set up felt typical and it bled into a scene that was drowning in cringe.
 
When the film really gets going, though, there’s no looking away. The cringe starts to make sense, and the typical feel of the beginning gives way to something much more mind-blowing. I’d even go so far as to say Glorious has the feel of something NEW.
 
It’s definitely got that Lovecraftian, not-meant-to-make-sense-of-it, aura. Still, there’s a novelty to it that draws it into another level. I think that aspect comes from the comedy infused in it.
 
Lovecraftian comedy does exist. It’s almost always got a thread of parody running through it, though. The last one I can remember watching was The Last Lovecraftian: Relic of Cthulhu (2009), which was fun – but silly. Seeing that mash-up of genres in a film that still takes the subject seriously is different.
 
With the amount of movies I watch per year, I cannot tell you how grateful I am when I see something that is not only original, but works.
 

Everything elevated Glorious for me. I’m a fan of Ryan Kwanten (True Blood, The Hurricane Heist, Expired), and J.K. Simmons (Being The Ricardos, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Night Sky) is a treasure. I’m not familiar with Rebekah McKendry’s (Psycho Granny, All the Creatures Were Stirring, Elevator Game) direction, but if Glorious is any indication of her talent, then I probably should know more.
 
It even had a decent script and interesting story. Joshua Hull (Chopping Block, Bethlehem, The Impersonators), David Ian McKendry (All the Creatures Were Stirring, Psycho Granny, Sins in the Suburbs), and Todd Rigney (Headless, Found) made a hell of a statement with their work here.
 
Glorious is a good example of what can be done with a simple idea when everyone puts the right kind of effort in. Even the editing was on point, keeping the result tight and just over an hour long. There was never really any time for dragging.
 
Glorious lived up to its title.
 
If you’re interested in seeing for yourself, and I think you should be, Glorious premieres on Shudder August 18th.

Cat’s Point of View:
It has been far too long since I’ve had a chance to see a movie that was straight-up Lovecraftian. That was one of several reasons I was excited we would get a chance to watch Glorious. I have to say, I was intrigued as to how the production would incorporate those elements into such a confined setting.
 
I certainly got my answers, and I was suitably horrified as a result.
 
Aside from the ode to H. P. Lovecraft’s work, I was initially drawn to Glorious by its cast. J. K. Simmons pops up in the most interesting places, and I think his voice was perfect for Ghat and Ryan Kwanten is often underrated. Though, I suppose that helps him get some of these diamonds in the rough roles that might seem crazy to others. Considering the majority of Glorious was focused on him, as the primary (and often only) actor actually visible on-screen, I believe this was an excellent opportunity to showcase his range.
 
In fact, I was so drawn in with the main character’s emotional rollercoaster that I nearly had whiplash when certain aspects of the story were unveiled.
 

When you consider that the primary setting for Glorious was a grungy and graffiti-adorned rest-stop bathroom in the middle of nowhere, I’d say the production value for what they were working with was fairly high. It seemed that they were able to accomplish a lot with practical effects, and CGI was kept to a minimum. Given the scenarios where it was employed, I’d say that it was appropriate and generally well rendered.
 
Glorious certainly fits in with the films that have preceded it in the Lovecraftian horror genre. It will certainly resonate with fans of the Cthulhu mythos. I do believe that the story was executed well enough that anyone unfamiliar with Lovecraft, or his creations, would still understand the film enough to enjoy it. I would note that this one would definitely not be for anyone squeamish or easily grossed out. I can’t underscore that enough.
 
I’m not sure that I would be quick to watch Glorious again – because gross – but I was satisfied with my dabbling into this madness and would absolutely recommend this movie to anyone that’s a Lovecraft fan.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 91%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – None
Metascore – 71%
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score –None
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 4.5/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5
 
Trust-the-Dice’s Parental Advisory Rating: R
 
Movie Trailer: