John Carpenter's film output in the 1990s was decidedly mixed, including the baffling sequel Escape From L.A. (1996) and the divisive horror movie Vampires (1998). In the Mouth of Madness was also critically mixed, but rises above the rest nonetheless, allowing the always-cynical Carpenter to comment on the relationship between creators and fans.

Horror movies are among the most inventive in cinema, doubling back on tropes to reinvent themselves while taking risks with storytelling and extreme imagery. They’re a mainstream concern, too, speaking to our anxieties,