Color Out of Space Review: Is It Worth Watching

There’s something unsettling about a color that shouldn’t exist. That’s the premise of Richard Stanley’s 2019 adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Colour Out of Space—a film that asks viewers to imagine a hue so alien it warps reality itself. With Nicolas Cage delivering one of his most unhinged performances, this cosmic horror story has divided audiences and critics alike. Here’s what you need to know about the plot, the monster, the gore, and where to watch it.

Release year: 2019 ·
Director: Richard Stanley ·
Starring: Nicolas Cage ·
Based on: H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Colour Out of Space” ·
Genre: Science fiction horror

Eight key facts, one pattern: the film is a critical success among horror fans but leaves general audiences divided.

Is Color Out of Space worth watching?

What do critics say?

Critics have largely praised the film. On Rotten Tomatoes (critic aggregator), the film holds an 86% approval rating from 213 reviews. The critics’ consensus calls it “a welcome return for Richard Stanley, mixing B-movie pulp, visually alluring Lovecraftian horror, and Nicolas Cage’s gonzo performance.” Metacritic (review aggregator) gives it a metascore of 70 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews, based on 28 critic reviews.

What is the audience reaction?

Audience scores are more mixed. On IMDb (user database), the film has a rating of 6.1/10. Google Play (digital storefront) shows a 4.2-star rating from 102 reviews, though a separate listing shows 3.4 stars from 26 reviews, indicating regional variance. Many viewers on Letterboxd (film community) praise the practical effects and cosmic horror, while others find the plot too slow.

Should I watch it if I like Lovecraft?

If you’re a Lovecraft fan, this is one of the more faithful adaptations in tone. Rotten Tomatoes Reviews (critics) note that the film “meets the visual challenges of adapting H.P. Lovecraft.” It captures the cosmic dread of the original story, even if it takes liberties with the plot. For fans of Annihilation (2018) or Mandy (2018), this film fits the same psychedelic horror niche.

The implication: viewers seeking pure narrative may feel let down, but those who come for the atmosphere and Cage’s madness will leave satisfied.

What is the color out of space about?

Plot summary

After a meteorite lands on the Gardner family farm in rural Massachusetts, a strange, otherworldly color begins to infect the land. The family—led by patriarch Nathan (Nicolas Cage), his wife Theresa (Joely Richardson), and their three children—experiences surreal and horrifying mutations. Animals and plants grow twisted, time becomes distorted, and the color slowly drains the life from everything it touches. The film follows their descent into madness as the entity consumes the farm.

Is it based on a true story?

No—it is not a true story. The film is adapted from H.P. Lovecraft’s 1927 short story The Colour Out of Space, as confirmed by Wikipedia (encyclopedic entry). Lovecraft’s tale is one of his most famous works, and the film stays true to the core premise of an alien entity that cannot be understood by human senses.

Is it based on Lovecraft’s story?

Yes, it is a direct adaptation of Lovecraft’s story, though it updates the setting to modern day and expands the family’s backstory. The H.P. Lovecraft Archive (authoritative source) provides the original text, and the film’s script by Richard Stanley and Scarlett Amaris takes key elements from it.

What was the monster in Color Out of Space?

Description of the color

The monster is not a physical creature but a sentient, non-terrestrial color that exists outside the visible spectrum. In the film, it is visualized as a shimmering purple-pink glow that pulses and spreads like a living stain. The New York Times (film critic) describes it as “a malevolent, viscous rainbow that warps everything it touches.”

How does it affect people?

The color causes psychological and physical mutations. Those exposed become paranoid, violent, and eventually merge with the entity. The film shows body horror as characters’ skin bubbles, plants grow screaming faces, and the family’s sanity unravels. The Guardian (newspaper review) calls it “a slow-motion apocalypse of the flesh.”

Visual representation

The filmmakers used a mix of practical effects and CGI to create the color’s otherworldly appearance. The color is never fully captured—it shimmers, glows, and distorts the screen. Variety (film industry publication) praises the cinematography, saying the color “seems to bleed off the screen into your peripheral vision.”

Why this matters: the film’s success hinges on making the invisible feel terrifying. The color is a concept rather than a monster, and that ambiguity is what makes it so unsettling.

How gory is Color Out of Space?

Gore level

The film is rated R for violence, gore, and disturbing images. It contains body horror, mutations, and some graphic scenes, but it is not as graphically violent as a slasher film. IMDb (user database) notes that the film is unrated, but the MPAA rating is R. The gore is more biological than splattery—think Cronenberg rather than gorefest.

Violence and horror

The horror is primarily psychological. The film builds tension slowly, with the color’s effects becoming more grotesque over time. There are scenes of animals and humans mutating, but the worst moments are implied rather than shown. Rotten Tomatoes Reviews (critics) describe it as “intense but not gratuitous.”

Parents guide

For parents, the film is not suitable for children due to its frightening imagery, brief nudity, and strong language. The BFI (British Film Institute) review warns that the film “may be too intense for younger viewers, especially those sensitive to body horror.”

The catch: fans of extreme horror may find it tame, while those new to the genre may find it deeply disturbing.

Where can I stream the movie ‘Color Out of Space’?

Streaming in the US

In the United States, you can stream Color Out of Space with a subscription on Hulu and AMC+ (Rotten Tomatoes streaming info). It’s also available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Rotten Tomatoes (streaming info) lists the digital release date as February 21, 2020.

Streaming in the UK

In the UK, the film is available on Amazon Prime Video and Sky Store, according to Rotten Tomatoes (streaming info). It can also be rented from other digital retailers. Availability may change, so check your local listings.

Rental and purchase options

If you prefer to own a digital copy, prices vary by platform. Google Play (digital storefront) lists the movie for rent at $3.99 and purchase at $14.99 in the US. Other platforms like Apple TV and Amazon offer similar pricing.

For viewers in the UK or US, the streaming options are solid. The film is widely available, so you won’t have trouble finding it.

Pros and Cons

Specifications

Seven technical details, one takeaway: the film is a modest independent production with a tight runtime and strong visual ambition.

Quotes

“I think it’s a fine horror movie with some really visually interesting shots.”

— Reddit user on r/Lovecraft (Reddit community discussion)

“Color Out of Space is a 2019 American science fiction Lovecraftian horror film directed by Richard Stanley.”

— Wikipedia (encyclopedic entry)

“The film is a welcome return for Richard Stanley, mixing B-movie pulp, visually alluring Lovecraftian horror, and Nicolas Cage’s gonzo performance.”

— Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus

“For Lovecraft fans, this is the adaptation we’ve been waiting for—a faithful, psychedelic nightmare.”

— BFI (film institution)

For those who enjoy cosmic horror, Color Out of Space delivers a unique visual experience that few other films have attempted. The film’s strength lies in its atmosphere and the sheer weirdness of its central concept. Whether you’re a Nicolas Cage fan, a Lovecraft reader, or just curious about a movie that makes you question what a color can do, this film is worth a watch. For viewers in the US or UK, the streaming options are solid, so you won’t have trouble finding it. The trade-off is clear: those seeking a coherent story may be disappointed, but anyone willing to surrender to the madness will find a memorable, disturbing ride.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Pitch Black (2000): Is It Worth Watching? – A sci-fi horror film review similar in format.
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