What Is Cosmic Horror in Fiction?
Content warning: To explore the history and themes of cosmic horror, this article interrogates subjects that can be particularly triggering to readers. Please proceed with caution and make the best decision for your well-being.
Before I really understood what cosmic horror was, I only thought of it as Lovecraftian horror. Sure, Edgar Allan Poe wrote some works that would today be considered cosmic horror (like “MS. Found in a Bottle”), H. P. Lovecraft is widely thought of as the father of cosmic horror as his work defined the subgenre. But the more I read Lovecraft’s work, the more I saw how xenophobic the work was and the less I enjoyed it.
However, my spouse opened my eyes to the wonderful world of modern-day horror authors who have taken the tropes and themes of Lovecraft’s work and breathed new life into it, including Victor LaValle, Caitlín R. Kiernan, N.K. Jemisin, Matt Ruff, and Stephen King.
But what is cosmic horror? How does one know it when they see it, let alone go about writing their own cosmic horror tales?
Simply put, cosmic horror holds onto the idea that what we consider reality is merely a thin skin over a truth so alien that to try and comprehend it causes madness. The subgenre is often also hallmarked by the idea that our existence is wholly insignificant, we’re all powerless, and huge entities could destroy the world at any moment.
For a basic understanding of cosmic horror, let’s look at some of the most popular tropes and how they’re used.
Cults and Secret Societies
A large theme in cosmic horror is that forbidden knowledge leads to madness. To explore this theme, there’s often some kind of cult or secret society that’s in charge of the knowledge, and the main character is involved in helping it come to light, whether willingly or unwillingly. This trope can also be accompanied by artifacts that connect with a previously unknown deity. This knowledge usually uncovers some deeper truth about reality or the universe and taps into existential dread.
A great example of this is Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, in which The Order of the Ancient Dawn (a fictionalized society) plays a large role in the lives of the main characters. There are also artifacts used in this novel to explore this trope.
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Imminent Awakening of Some Terrible, Unknowable Deity
Many cosmic horror stories incorporate ancient, powerful, uncaring beings or deities that challenge the characters’ sense of reality and exist beyond our human comprehension. Often, revealing these deities leads to a psychological decay or breakdown (which, hopefully, you can see becoming a recurring theme). An important part of this trope is the understanding that humanity has no control or importance and instead is a pawn or merely irritant to these mighty cosmic entities.
A wonderful example of this is The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle, which is actually a retelling of Lovecraft’s short story “The Horror of Red Hook.” Black Tom is a direct illustration of how the xenophobic flaws in weird fiction can be grappled with and explored while bringing the genre into a new era.
“That’s not my mom”
Imagine that you walk into your mom’s house and find someone cooking in her kitchen. This person looks like your mom, talks like your mom, but there’s just something about her that makes you sure down to your marrow that she’s not your mom. This sense of dread and unease is explored in cosmic horror through strange and otherworldly events that don’t seem to have an easy explanation.
The Fisherman by John Langan is perhaps my favorite example of this trope. I can’t tell you too much without spoiling it, but man … that ending. It’s one of the books that gave me chills long after I’d finished the last page.
Leaving the Known World
Perhaps this isn’t necessarily a trope, but many cosmic horror stories deal with this idea that the character leaves the world that we know and understand and the world lurking just beyond their perception is more terrible and horrifying than anything that’s actually revealed within the text. Often, these discoveries happen in a location of isolation, where being cut off from the rest of society heightens the unease and desolation the characters (and readers) feel.
Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan is a wonderful example of these tropes I’ve discussed here, and shows how they all interact with one another and share themes to elevate the story.
Further Reading:
If you’re interested in exploring this genre further, here are some recommendations.
The Very Best of Caitlín R. Kiernan by Caitlín R. KiernanThe City We Became by N.K. JemisinIT by Stephen KingThe Croning by Laird BarronHammers on Bone by Cassandra Khaw
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