In 1936, Things to Come painted a chilling vision of apocalyptic collapse, blending H.G. Wells’ foresight with cinematic dread.

Things to Come (1936), H.G. Wells’ sci-fi epic, explores apocalyptic horror, reflecting 1930s fears of war and societal ruin.

A Vision of Collapse

In 1936, Things to Come stunned audiences with its sprawling depiction of a world undone by war and chaos. Directed by William Cameron Menzies and scripted by H.G. Wells, the British film spans decades, from a global conflict in 1940 to a dystopian future. Starring Raymond Massey, it blends science fiction with apocalyptic horror, portraying humanity’s struggle to rebuild amid ruin. Its stark visuals and grim prophecy captured 1930s fears of impending war. This article delves into the film’s origins, its themes of destruction and renewal, and its influence on apocalyptic horror, from its Wellsian roots to its echoes in modern cinema.

Origins of Things to Come

Wells’ Prophetic Script

Based on Wells’ 1933 novel The Shape of Things to Come, the film was a passion project for the author, who shaped its narrative. It begins with a world war that devastates civilization, leading to a barbaric dark age. A technocratic society eventually rises, but not without conflict. The film’s scope was ambitious, reflecting Wells’ warnings about unchecked militarism (Wagar, H.G. Wells and the World State, 1961).

1930s War Fears

Released as Europe edged toward World War II, Things to Come tapped into anxieties about global conflict. Its depiction of aerial bombings and societal collapse felt prescient, resonating with audiences fearing another war (Bansak, Fear Itself, 1995).

Themes of Destruction and Renewal

Apocalyptic Horror

The film’s horror lies in its vivid destruction: cities crumble, societies regress, and humanity teeters on extinction. Wells’ vision of a world undone by its own hubris aligns with horror’s cautionary tradition, seen in later films like The Road (2009) (Clover, Men, Women, and Chainsaws, 2012).

Hope Amid Ruin

While grim, the film offers a redemptive arc, as a new society emerges. This tension between despair and optimism reflects Wells’ belief in human resilience, but also underscores the cost of progress, a recurring horror theme.

Cinematic Innovation

Menzies’ Visuals

William Cameron Menzies’ art direction creates a haunting contrast: sleek futuristic cities versus ravaged wastelands. His use of miniatures and matte paintings crafts an immersive apocalypse, influencing later sci-fi horror visuals (Bansak, Fear Itself, 1995).

Scope and Scale

The film’s multi-decade narrative, rare for its time, amplifies its horror. By showing civilization’s fall and rebirth, it creates a sense of inevitability, making the destruction feel personal and universal.

Cultural and Genre Impact

Shaping Apocalyptic Horror

Things to Come laid groundwork for apocalyptic cinema, from On the Beach (1959) to Mad Max (1979). Its blend of speculative fiction and horror influenced narratives about humanity’s survival, seen in The Walking Dead series (Clover, Men, Women, and Chainsaws, 2012).

Political Resonance

The film’s warning about militarism and authoritarianism resonated in 1936, as fascism spread. Its critique of societal flaws aligns with horror’s social commentary tradition, evident in Dawn of the Dead (1978).

Comparisons Across Media

Vs. Metropolis

Like Metropolis (1927), Things to Come explores futuristic societies, but its focus on war’s aftermath makes it bleaker. Both films, however, use speculative visuals to probe human nature, influencing sci-fi horror hybrids.

Key Elements of Influence

  • Its apocalyptic visuals shaped 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).
  • The dystopian dark age inspired The Postman (1997).
  • Wells’ technocratic vision influenced Logan’s Run (1976).
  • Its war imagery prefigures Threads (1984).
  • The redemptive arc echoes in Interstellar (2014).

A Prophetic Warning

Things to Come remains a landmark in apocalyptic horror, its grim vision of collapse and renewal hauntingly relevant. Wells’ foresight, paired with Menzies’ visuals, crafts a cautionary tale about humanity’s trajectory. As we face modern threats, from war to environmental ruin, the film’s message endures, a stark reminder of horror’s power to mirror our deepest fears and hopes.

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