True Detective: Night Country and the Return to Lovecraftian Horror

Embracing the Unsettling Atmosphere

True Detective: Night Country, set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, follows detectives Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of eight scientists from a research facility. The series captures a distinct, haunting atmosphere, trading Alaska for Icelandic filming locations, and drawing viewers into the unending darkness of Ennis. This unsettling feeling is what fans of the first season longed for, and Night Country seems to be on the path to delivering just that.

Jodie Foster's Liz Danvers kneels in the middle of a large spiral made of photographs of people in True Detective season 4

In fact, the first season's nonlinear narrative and philosophical pessimism were what made it a hit. Influenced by weird horror fiction and rooted in Robert W. Chambers' short story collection, The King in Yellow, season 1 of True Detective is remembered for its strange lore and unsettling mysteries. However, some viewers were disappointed by the show's avoidance of supernatural elements, a mistake Night Country can avoid by embracing the Lovecraftian horror that fans crave.

Woody Harrelson as Marty and McConaughey as Rust in front of an evidence board True Detective season 1

The Allure of Lovecraftian Horror

Created by Nic Pizzolatto, the first season of True Detective continually alluded to a figure called 'the Yellow King,' a reference to Chambers' 1895 short story collection. The show toe the line between the real and the unreal, grounding its mysteries in a mix of the supernatural and the macabre. However, it never fully indulged in its supernatural leanings, a choice that left some fans wanting more.

Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle ventures into Carcosa in True Detective season 1

Now, True Detective: Night Country is already teasing a return to Lovecraftian horror. Showrunner Issa López has confirmed that the series will tap into the supernatural and draw inspiration from iconic horror films like Alien, The Shining, and The Thing. The trailers for Night Country have also hinted at symbols and references from the first season, setting up a supernatural twist from the start. This return to Lovecraftian horror, combined with the show's connections to Rust Cohle, gives Night Country the opportunity to delve into the larger, supernatural conspiracy that was only teased in season 1.

True Detective Night Country Easter Eggs

Avoiding Season 1's Supernatural Mistake

While the vagueness of Lovecraftian horror is part of what makes it so unsettling, the refusal to explore its supernatural elements more deeply in the first season of True Detective was a letdown for many viewers. True Detective: Night Country has the opportunity to correct this mistake by embracing the Lovecraftian horror elements that fans have been craving. By connecting to the larger, supernatural conspiracy teased in season 1 and teasing supernatural elements from the start, Night Country can set up an unforgettable outing that avoids the pitfalls of its predecessor.

Travis tearing his shirt open and screaming at the sky in True Detective Night Country

The return to Lovecraftian horror in Night Country, combined with the show's chilling atmosphere and eerie references to the first season, sets the stage for a season that can captivate long-time fans and draw in new audiences. If Night Country can deliver on the promise of supernatural and paranormal mysteries, it has the potential to become a true successor to the unsettling and captivating legacy of True Detective season 1.

Jodie Foster In True Detective Night Country