Apple TV's Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has been making waves with its unique blend of sci-fi and horror, and the latest episode, "Resonance," takes a particularly intriguing turn. This installment delves into the creepiest storyline of the second season, paying homage to one of the scariest stories ever written: H.P. Lovecraft's 1931 novella, "The Shadow over Innsmouth." What makes this tribute so compelling is how it seamlessly weaves Lovecraftian elements into a MonsterVerse narrative, creating a chilling atmosphere that will send shivers down your spine.
A Creepy Homage to Lovecraft
In Monarch, the story unfolds as Lee Shaw, Bill Randa, and Keiko Miura investigate a remote village on the island of Santa Soledad in Chile in 1957. The villagers' behavior towards outsiders is immediately suspicious, and as the episode progresses, it becomes clear that they are part of a cult worshipping the Titan, a creature known as "The Great God of the Sea." This cult's rituals and sacrifices echo the disturbing history of the Deep Ones in Lovecraft's story, where human sacrifices were made to these immortal fish-human hybrids. The episode's tension builds as Lee and Keiko discover the villagers' dark secrets, leaving the audience wondering if they will escape the island alive.
What makes this tribute even more fascinating is the way it connects to the broader MonsterVerse. The inclusion of a Titan-worshipping tribe is not a coincidence; it pays homage to the legacy of Kong and Godzilla, both of which have their roots in the horror genre. The original 1933 King Kong and the 1954 Godzilla were responses to the American B-movie trend of atomic age giant monster threats, and they both featured native tribes making human sacrifices to monsters. In Kong: Skull Island (2017), the Iwi tribe worships Kong, and in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), the modern-day Iwi tribe members are introduced, maintaining the theme of respect and harmony with the monsters.
A Question of Harmony
The question arises: are the Santa Soledad villagers in Monarch a playful nod to Lovecraft and the MonsterVerse, or do they represent a darker, more violent faction? The inclusion of a native tribe in the second season, which marks a return to Skull Island, suggests a thematic connection to the Iwi tribe. However, the villagers' behavior towards outsiders and their cult activities suggest a more sinister relationship with the Titan. Could we see descendants of these villagers in future episodes or MonsterVerse films? If so, let's hope they have a better fate than Lovecraft's narrator, who meets a tragic end.
A Chilling Atmosphere
The episode's atmosphere is what truly sets it apart. The writer and director, Dan Dworkin and Lawrence Trilling, have successfully created a Lovecraftian vibe, with the villagers' behavior and the Titan's presence evoking the eerie and unsettling tone of Lovecraft's work. The drugging of Lee and Keiko before the Titan's attack adds to the tension and the sense of danger. This episode is a testament to the power of paying homage to classic horror stories while still creating a unique and engaging narrative.
In my opinion, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has outdone itself with this episode, blending horror and sci-fi seamlessly. The tribute to Lovecraft is a clever and chilling addition to the series, and the question of the villagers' fate leaves the audience eager for more. As an expert commentator, I can't help but wonder what other secrets and horrors await on Santa Soledad, and how the MonsterVerse will continue to evolve and surprise us.
