Book to movie adaptations can often disappoint hardcore fans but Stuart Gordon is a director that fans of H.P. Lovecraft vcdcan always rely upon. Having directed the classic Re-Animator in 1985, fans were ecstatic to find out that he adapted Lovecraft’s, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” as Dagon (or Dagon: La Secta del Mar).
This Spanish horror/thriller film happens to be a loose adaptation of not just The Shadow Over Innsmouth but also, Lovecraft’s short story Dagon. Several factors differ in the movie when compared to the book but writer Dennis Paoli has created a strong, well-adapted plot with Gordon executing it masterfully. The two had originally decided to work on the movie in 1985.
Previously, Gordon has worked on several other stellar horror movies such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Dolls, and From Beyond. With brilliant filmography, Gordon has made a solid name for himself in the genre of horror but Dagon has often gotten overlooked, which is a bummer as it comes with a strong story.
The Wall Street investor Paul, who is a student in the book, is on a boat with three of his friends when a storm causes the boat to crash. Paul finds himself in the deserted town of Imboca, based on Innsmouth. He gradually learns that the place is not your regular fishing town and something bigger is at play here. With merpeople as its populace, Paul realizes that other humans are being used as sacrifices for the deity Dagon, in return for fish and gold - the two sources of wealth for the people of Imboca. A shocking revelation takes place and Paul learns of his origin as a half-human and half-fish entity. In the end, he transforms into a merman and accepts his new identity.
The cast comprises Ezra Godden as the protagonist Paul Marsh, Raquel Merono as his girlfriend Barbara, Macarena Gomez as the mermaid Uxia, Francisco Rabal as Ezequiel, Ferran Lahoz as the priest, Birgit Bofarrul as Vicki, and Brendan Price as Howard. This movie was Godden, Gomez, and Bofarull’s debut in film while it was Rabal’s last as he tragically passed away soon after. It paid homage to the late actor before the end credits rolled in.