Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Glorious’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Glorious’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that we are living in some trying and anxious times. For the world is in turmoil, our own country is widely divided, and we just got through a global pandemic that left us wondering if we’d make it to tomorrow, since the odds were fifty/fifty that an individual would be okay if they came down with the virus. Not to mention, it just seems as though the bad guys keep winning in our everyday world. Since bad people are either clawing their way to power or are currently maintaining it… and flexing their muscles as hard as they can in the hopes of keeping it within their grasp, and well… all of this chaos and concern really does leave some grand questions hanging over all of our heads.
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In that, are things ever going to get better? Will there be peace in our time? Will evil be conquered and will the power hungry be stripped of their clammy hold upon our world? Which are important questions to ask, the kind that we honestly don’t have the answers to at the moment, and that lack of answers definitely robs us of hope at times and keeps us up late at night. But the fact of the matter is, the old saying is indeed right. It is always darkest before the dawn and the universe always seems to find a way to create balance when there is nothing but imbalance surrounding us and believe it or not… there is a new horror film on Shudder that explores the nature of balance, in the most unique way imaginable of course, in Glorious.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a man named Wes who is… going through it. For an important relationship for him has just ended and he’s on the road and desperate to find shelter and peace and isolation, and for a little while at least, he appears to find it at the Route 37 Rest Stop. Since this place is out in the middle of nowhere and free from people or distractions. But when the night is over and the power of booze has removed that peace, Wes quickly comes to discover that he isn’t alone within the walls of this out of the way sanctuary. For an ancient being known as Ghatanothoa is comfortably resting within a stall, and this age-old creature requires quite the sacrifice from Wes. One that will determine the fate of humanity.

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Which at first glance is a plot that doesn’t seem all that grounded in balance. In fact, it seems to lean hard into our worries and concerns about the current state of the world. Since this Lovecraftian creature is both violent and benevolent, like the worst elements of our current world, and desperate as well. A move that allows for the horror aspects of this story to shine, since it treats us to horrific visions of creatures from beyond and features all kinds of splatter and guts when Wes invites a poor soul into this nightmare in a desperate attempt to escape Ghat’s grasp and request. But as the story continues along, and we learn a great deal more about Wes… we come to see that this story is about balance after all.
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Simply because we come to learn that Wes, is no hero. In fact, there’s a lot to be concerned about when it comes to this man. To the point where he seems like the last person that should have the fate of the universe in his hands. Because he clearly cares little about people and life, and the thought of having that kind of person save all of humanity is chilling for certain. But instead, his journey really does speak to balance. Because Wes eventually does acquiesce and give Ghat what he wants, and in doing so… suffers greatly for his crimes and pays the right price for them. Reminding us that the universe does find a way to punish the wicked and restore order and balance… making this quite the uplifting horror film in the end, one that genuinely surprises us.

Because that’s not a message we expect to find in a Lovecraftian style tale. But it is there, and its presence makes for one satisfying experience. Just because, sometimes we need to see balance restored and see bad people get their just desserts, seeing that happen here, gives us a little bit of much needed hope right now as we wait for our own Ghat to restore order to the chaos. But while this movie does indeed offer some delightful concepts and splatter and gore, we’d be foolish to not point out that the acting in this story is sublime as well. For Ryan Kwanten is utterly brilliant as Wes and sells the surprise in a flawless manner and J.K. Simmons, who voices Ghat, is a revelation in this movie with his incredible performance as this strange being from beyond and well… all of these elements make this motion picture a must see, and thankfully, you can check it out right now. For Glorious is streaming on Shudder and we here at NTG hope you give this refreshing and creative horror film a look when you get a chance

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