URHorror Podcast: Week of 9.28
A SAW X Bloodbath, GINGER SNAP's queer-coding, & NEON's newest diverse horror
My lovely horror fiends. How are we this week? Have you watched any good movies or read any new books? I’d love to hear all about it.
This past week was busy for horror fans. We had a horrific blood drive and the release of a new horror movie from NEON. It was also quite a busy week for me. My interview with author Justin C. Key, of THE WORLD WASN’T READY FOR YOU, came out. Give it a listen! Annnddd without further ado, let’s get into it.
Horror News
SAW X blood drive
The official Saw account tweeted, “Bleed for me…and help those in need. More soon,” and that’s how we knew the inaugural Saw blood drive was making its rounds!
It started in 2004 when over 100,000 pints of blood was donated in exchange for tickets to the film. It was only 10 cities, so I hope you were able to find one near you! Make sure you catch SAW X comes tomorrow, 9/29, in theaters.
NEON’s latest horror
NEON falls right under A24 for me. I love their subversive films and concepts, and the one they’ve brought to us this time is no different. It Lives Inside, directed by Bishal Dutta, released 9/22 and follows an Indian-American teen facing adolescent and demonic challenges.
Post Movie Thoughts: The movie doesn’t look to reinvent but to reimagine the narrative in teen possession films. NEON delivered with vibrant and colorful shots perfect for fall, and I loved the creature design. The demon in question wasn’t an intangible, malevolent presence but an actual monster.
It’s Not That Deep…
But it always is…. isn’t it? This week’s movie of discussion is Ginger Snaps. This is a 2000 creature feature directed by John Fawcett, written by Karen Walton, and starring Katherine Isabelle and Emily Perkins. In the recent podcast episode, I touched out the film’s parallels between metamorphosis and puberty. Within that, this film draws parallels between Ginger’s lycanthropy and the queer experience.
Besides the really weird tension (and odd advances Ginger makes at Bee later in the film) between the sisters, Ginger’s ostracization and shame is something a queer viewer can identify with. She spends a majority of the film trying to conceal her identity. We see this a lot in horror films where a major transformation takes place.
Another example from every Scream fan’s favorite duo is Cursed (2004) starring Christina Ricci and Jesse Eisenberg.
Kevin Williamson, writer of Cursed, also wrote Scream (1996) and has since reflected on how he used to let his concealed identity bleed into his screenplays.
The difference between Wes Craven’s Scream and Cursed is the existence of homophobia and homosexuality. While Cursed is still coded, there are bigger indicators to what the subtext is.
See ya next time!
Until the next newsletter, let me know your thoughts on this one! Don’t miss next week’s episode (10/5) with horror content creator TheEvolTyrone. Here’s a little crumb of what’s to come: