“The Unnamable II: The Statement of Randolph Carter” is a 1992 American horror film directed by Jean-Paul Ouellette and starring Mark Hamill, Robert Englund, and Michael Moriarty. The film is based on the H.P. Lovecraft story “The Statement of Randolph Carter” and is the sequel to the 1988 film “The Unnamable”.
Randolph Carter (Hamill) is a writer who is trying to find the ending to his latest story. He becomes obsessed with the story and starts to believe that it is based on a real event. His friend, Howard (Englund), tries to help him, but Randolph starts to act erratically and ultimately kills Howard. Randolph then goes to the home of his friend, Robert (Moriarty), and confesses to him what he has done.
The film is atmospheric and creepy, and Hamill gives a great performance as the unstable Randolph. Englund and Moriarty are also good as the friends who try to help Randolph but ultimately fail. The film’s ending is particularly effective, and it leaves the viewer with a sense of unease.
I kinda feel that this second unnamable is to some degree better than it’s original. Granted it’s cheesy and naff at certain points but it’s still fun and the demon still looks damn creepy. This movie has 2 hotties in it, Maria Ford (who’s nude for half the movie, i shit you not) and Julie Strain, although some bright person decided to stick Julie in the creature costume… No fun. Anyways, the old cast return, Randolph Carter is still played by Mark Kinsey Stephenson and Howard is played by Charles Klausmeyer, both actors do fine in their respective parts. Look out for memorable performances from British actors David Warner and John Rhys-Davis as the Miskatonic University Intelligentsia.
Is this movie scary? There are a few scary moments, although it’s not overly scary to be honest. It’s more fun than scary. The gore is fairly minimal, nothing massively gruesome stands out in my mind, it’s pretty similar to the first movie in this regard. I liked the pacing of the movie, i felt that everything was explained decently and the action is never too far away.
I also like how lovecraftian mythos has been blended into the movie. Lovecraft always liked to blend science with mysticism and The Unnamable Returns pays good homage to this kind of writing. In fact it’s safe to say that any true Lovecraft fan will enjoy this flick, it’s geared very much in the same vain as other Lovecraft flicks that have been produced. Whilst i wouldn’t say you have to watch the original first, it’s probably a good idea, even if just to get the basic idea of where the characters are and why they’re doing what they’re doing. Even if you don’t watch the first one though you should still get some enjoyment from this. This one’s recommended.
Overall, “The Unnamable II: The Statement of Randolph Carter” is a well-done sequel that is sure to please fans of the first film. It is atmospheric, creepy, and features a great performance by Hamill.
Synopsis
The Unnamable II: The Statement of Randolph Carter is a 1992 American horror film directed by Jean-Paul Ouellette and starring Mark Hamill, John Rhys-Davies, and Roy Scheider. It is based on the H.P. Lovecraft story “The Statement of Randolph Carter” and is a sequel to the 1988 film The Unnamable.
Randolph Carter (Hamill) is a writer who is suffering from writer’s block. He decides to return to the scene of the events that occurred in the first film, the town of Arkham, Massachusetts. There he meets up with his friend, Dr. INC (Davies), who tells him that the events of the first film were all just a dream.
Carter is not convinced and decides to investigate further. He soon discovers that the events of the first film were real and that the creature from the first film, the Unnamable, is still alive. The Unnamable is now terrorizing the town of Arkham and Carter must find a way to stop it.
The film was met with mixed reviews but was a box office success, grossing over $8 million on a budget of $1.5 million.
Movie Details
Director: Jean-Paul Ouellette
Writer: Jean-Paul Ouellette
Actors: Mark Hamill, John Rhys-Davies, Paul Ben-Victor
Release Year: 1992