Netflix’s new sci-fi series, which many are comparing to The Expanse, actually contains subtle hints of the eerie and unsettling style found in the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
Adapting H.P. Lovecraft’s stories for film and television is difficult because his monsters and horrors are intentionally vague and hard to picture. As a result, there aren’t many direct movie or TV versions of his tales. However, his influence – the feeling of cosmic dread and hidden terrors – can be seen in many other stories across different genres.
Even though it’s not directly based on H.P. Lovecraft’s work, this Netflix sci-fi show captures the feeling of his cosmic horror, making it a great choice for fans of the genre.
Stephen King Called 3 Body Problem “Lovecraftian,” & He’s Right
Stephen King described Netflix’s 3 Body Problem as “terrifying, Lovecraftian.” While the show leans more toward realistic science fiction than the classic cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft, it’s easy to see why King feels that way. Like Lovecraft’s stories, 3 Body Problem emphasizes how small and unimportant humanity is when faced with the immense scale of the universe.
The Trisolarans, the main alien race in the story, aren’t completely beyond human understanding, but they see people as pests – something that needs to be eliminated from the universe.
Similar to how characters in Lovecraft’s tales go mad when confronted with terrifying truths, those in 3 Body Problem experience deep emotional and philosophical struggles. They realize the rules of the universe aren’t what they thought, and something powerful is controlling them.
The science fiction novel 3 Body Problem is grounded in real scientific principles, including ideas about orbits, chaos theory, and quantum physics. But it takes these concepts to an extreme, almost otherworldly level, creating a sense of cosmic dread reminiscent of the writing of H.P. Lovecraft.
3 Body Problem Has The Potential To Become Netflix’s Answer To The Expanse
Netflix’s 3 Body Problem has been well-received, earning a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a renewal for two more seasons. Though the first season tried to cover a lot of ground from the original novel in just eight episodes and felt somewhat rushed, the show is expected to improve as the story continues.
The creators of Game of Thrones, Benioff and Weiss, have skillfully adapted the original story for television, staying true to the source material while making it work well as a serialized drama.
The show promises some of its most compelling moments as it moves toward the ‘Dark Forest’ storyline, according to the source material. With many factors working in its favor, 3 Body Problem could become Netflix’s equivalent to The Expanse. Similar to The Expanse, it features a complex, large-scale story that spans across time and space, and includes an otherworldly being that feels inspired by Lovecraftian horror and challenges our understanding of physics.
It’s too early to say if the new Netflix show will be as good as The Expanse, but it definitely shows a lot of promise.
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2026-01-11 06:08