World destruction, Tori Spelling, conspiracy theories, Oregon Coast scenery, New Age cults, gay love, history of the West – “Cthulhu” provides all this along with a mystery from the deep.

Filmed in Astoria, Seaside and surrounding areas, the movie was directed by Daniel Gildark and stars Jason Cottle, Scott Green, Cara Buono and Tori Spelling.

Many locals answered the casting call, and you’ll no doubt recognize some of your friends and neighbors in this scary film with its varied lighting moods, special effects and dramatic music. The film is set against some very spectacular scenery and architecture.

The story opens with gay history professor Russell Marsh (played by Jason Cottle) learning that his mother has just died. Dreading having to face the rest of his family and his hometown after a 10-year absence, he leaves Seattle to attend the funeral in Rivermouth, Oregon – played with eerie beauty by Astoria and the surrounding area.

Several scenes of driving provide convenient settings for voiceovers from “Northwest Public Radio” saying the oceans are rising – fast – and record summer heat will cause more melting of ice reserves. These radio announcements set the tone and inform audiences of the downward spiral of world events.

Marsh is greeted by his sister and his oddly made-up, cult-leader father dressed in a purple jumpsuit. He tells Marsh he has been gone far too long and introduces him to the lawyer who will settle the estate. While Marsh would like to leave the next day, the lawyer tells him the estate matters will require him staying several more days.

He looks up a boyhood friend and lover, Michael Shields, who shares some of the secrets of his growing-up years. Their feelings are rekindled. As Marsh revisits his home-town, he is faced by small-town homophobia … but there is something else besides a judgmental cold shoulder. There is something eerie, sinister and subtle going on beneath the town’s exterior. He has found a mysterious rock with writing on it. Does it hold the answer? And where does Tori Spelling come in?

You’ll need to see the film to find out about the townspeople’s secretive plans and who – or what – Cthulhu is. This H.P. Lovecraft-inspired film, set in modern-day form, is based on his Cthulhu mythos stories about the sea deity Dagon and the Old Ones who come from the sea.

With some extensive editing, this movie, with its mood shots of the Columbia River from the Astoria Column area, its aerial shots of Seaside at night with Tillamook Head outlined in the background, its footage of buildings on the wharf, underground tunnels, black-hooded figures solemnly marching across a bridge at night holding candles and all the scenery that gives it its atmosphere, is well put-together and tells a tale of drama and stories told and untold. Cottle is very good in his intense role and Spelling adds her own type of reality.

It will air in Astoria in the near future. Why not go see it – as it immortalizes Astoria in yet another movie.