Don't drink turpentine, Babes! And def don't spill your beans. Y'know why? Because you'll end up like the two fools in this movie!! What movie? Well it's obviously Robert Eggers' second feature The Lighthouse! Dive in with us while we ILLUMINATE some fun film theory for y'all!

AVAST! There be SPOILERS here, ye hearties! And more seriously, a CW/TW for implied sexual violence.

As always, we love y'all, Babes.

The Lighthouse (2020)

We have a very special episode of Horror Or Nah this month! It's Nicole's first time hosting! And her sister Amy (hood.does.hair on IG) is here!! They did something David Lynch would absolutely hate. They analyzed his work. What a sin!! Kick back and enjoy until Topher finds his way back from some place full of red velvet and cool floors.

There are just so many SPOILERS in here because Nicole and Amy are so full of secrets!

Also, CW/TW for discussions of sexual assault and incest because this show/movie really just couldn't stay away from that topic.

Horror Or Nah? Twin Peaks feat. Amy Hood

It's the final episode of Redux Month, Babes! And we're rounding it out with the second part of Nicole and Amy's discussion about Twin Peaks: The Return. Join us for a deep dive into Lynch's finale to the Twin Peaks saga.

CW/TW: sexual assault

Redux Month Twin Peaks Pt 2 Feat Amy Hood

What up, Babes!! We're finally doing another J-Horror. This week, it's Kairo, better known as Pulse (2001). Listen in for discussion of spookiness, isolation, and why the internet is full of ghosts. 

TW/CW: Suicidality and self harm

FOOTNOTES:
Ishikawa Kiyoshi on Hikikomori
https://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00332/hikikomori-social-recluses-in-the-shadows-of-an-aging-japan.html#

Kairo aka Pulse

Hey, Babes! This week we are FINALLY covering Tobe Hooper's absolute banger of a classic: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). We're talking tortured artists, awkward dinner parties, and meddling kids. We kept this one off here for a while but what better way to start summer then with a movie about five kids being turned into art?

CW/TW: gore, mental health

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are hot and BOTHERED this week with Ana Lily Amirpour's 2014 vampire western: A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night. They're talking subtle sexiness, character depth and how to steep your film in reference without looking like a nerd. Watch this movie then hang out with them to hear the absolute thirst. Happy Pride, Babes!!

CW/TW: sexual assault, drug use

FOOTNOTES:

Wired with director Ana Lily Amirpour
https://www.wired.com/2014/02/girl-walks-home-alone-at-night/

Interview with the Vilcek Foundation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtDim5P__Uo

VICE with Ana Lily Amirpour and Sheila Vand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wlm97DiUq8

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night

Hey, Babes! This week Nicole and Topher dive into the cult classic slasher: The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)!! They're talking gay panic, the fascinating writer behind the film and how a parody got turned into a straightforward movie by the studio. Listen in and enjoy!

CW/TW: violence against women

The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

Hey, Babes! This week we covered a really fun one! Hey, Babes! This week we covered a really fun one! Whoops!! Got stuck in a loop there. We talked about Happy Death Day (2017). Join us to hear all about a really fun film that is just chock-full of problems, and how solid technique can save a bad story.

TW/CW: violence against women, self-harm

There are obviously SPOILERS in here for the movie in the title, but also for Palm Springs, so heads up.

Happy Death Day (2017)

Hey Babes! Did you know that in space no one can hear you open a gate to Hell? If you didn't, now you do! This week we covered a cult classic: Event Horizon (1997). Join us to hear Nicole kicking down gates, Topher mending fences and learn why this once-panned movie is actually good!

CW/TW: discussions of self-harm/suicide

Event Horizon (1997)

Hey, Babes! Join us for the final episode of Ghost Stories Month? If you do, you'll get to hear Nicole and Topher go in on the first Paranormal Activity (2007)!! Nicole pitches a new movie, Topher forgets the names of several movies, and they both have a lot to say about why the franchise should have been different! Love y'all and thanks for listening to the Horror Babes talk about all kinds of ghosts for five weeks in a row!

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher finally did their third Stephen King analysis with "The Mist" (2007). Nicole talks about off-brand cereals, Topher nitpicks, and they both forget the names of different musicals. As always, listen to find out more!!

TW/CW: self-harm, harm to children

The Mist (2007)

Hey, Babes! Join Nicole and Topher this week to talk about the camp horror film Teeth (2007). Tune in for song parodies, more song parodies, and - if you're lucky - another song parody.

SERIOUS CW/TW: intense discussions of consent, sexual assault and grooming

https://www.vice.com/en/article/j5x957/teeth-is-the-feminist-horror-classic-that-men-tried-to-sabotage

Teeth (2007)

Hey, Babes! 2022 continues by spitting in the face of Film Daddy David Lynch by analyzing his debut feature film: Eraserhead (1977)!! Nicole and Topher dive into this low-narrative, 21-page script and find so many fun things to talk about! Listen in to hear Nicole's opinions on babies, Topher's opinion on etymology, and the both of them make fun of anyone who thinks David Lynch is weird.

Eraserhead (1977)

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are back this week with a nearly brand-new film: Censor (2021). The Horror Babes are discussing Prano Bailey-Bond's debut feature and talking about how to structure a film, why scripting matters, and what in the world is happening in this strong first offer of a psychological horror film.

Censor (2021)

Hey, Babes! It's Nicole's birthday month so you know we had to have a theme! It's Soundtracks That Slap, which means we're kicking it off with none other than the brand new Foo Fighters horror-comedy, Studio 666 (2022). Listen in to hear all about why music is so important in film, how to make good campy fun, and to wonder why Topher drinks coffee way too loudly.

Heads up, there are SPOILERS here, so don't get it twisted.

Studio 666 (2022)

Hey, Babes! Do children and/or twins freak you out? Us too! So check out this episode about the Franz and Fiala debut feature: Goodnight, Mommy (2014). Nicole and Topher are talking perfect film structure, how not to cope with grief and loss, and how you too can make a weird sculpture with your former cat!

Heads up, there are major SPOILERS for this movie, so watch it first. It's amazing!

Goodnight Mommy (2014)

Hey, Babes! Nicole decided to try and one-up Topher by catching Covid. BUT!! He countered by having an incredible musician, composer and dear friend FS Chxll on to finally talk about Jordan Peele's feature debut: Get Out (2017). Listen in to hear Chxll talk about weird warehouse parties, Topher do some Foley work, and both of them refusing humility.

This convo went on for hours, so look out for Part 2 next week!!

Heads up, there are major SPOILERS here.

TW/CW: discussions of racism, gore

Get Out (2017) Part 1 feat. FS Chxll

Hey, Babes! Topher and FS Chxll are back this week with Part Two of their discussion on Jordan Peele's Get Out (2017). If you didn't listen to Part One, then this is the wrong episode! Turn around! Listen to that one, ya goober!!

Heads up there are major SPOILERS in here.

Get Out (2017)Part 2 feat. FS Chxll

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are reunited at long last to discuss One Missed Call (2008). Listen to their take on this remake to hear them pitch a horror sequel to Hannah Montana, a DC Comics crossover event involving the cast of Jersey Shore, and just generally their thoughts on mid-budget films!!

There are SPOILERS for this movie inside - BEWARE!

CW/TW: discussions of child abuse, gore, Munchausen's

One Missed Call (2008)

Hey, Babes! Topher picked a movie that is a bit on the nose this week: Misery (1990). Check it out to hear him and Nicole dive in on how to break out as an actor, how to flip the script on two-hander films, and why making major changes can serve your adaptation!

Heads up, there are SPOILERS in here!!

Misery (1990)

Hey, Babes!! Nicole and Topher are BACK from hiatus for yet another themed October! This month is all about horror musicals, and they're kicking it off with the greatest of all time: Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). They're talking nuanced camp, transgressive music, and brilliant costumes.

There are SPOILERS in here, so beware!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher continue their Horror Musicals October with Brian de Palma's "Phantom of the Paradise" (1974). Queue it up to vibe with their takes on wild costume design, coherent story disguised as chaos, and why the whip-pan is still one of the best shots in all film.

YO!! There be SPOILERS beyond the first two minutes of this pod!

CW: discussions of self-harm

Phantom Of The Paradise (1974)

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are back for week three of Horror Musicals Month with Tim Burton's adaptation of "Sweeney Todd" (2007). You'll hear opinions on Sondheim, rants about Hot Topic fashion, and why this very capable movie may not land.

Heads up, there are SPOILERS for this movie that's almost old enough to drive.

CW/TW: discussions of gore, sexual assault, cannibalism

Sweeney Todd (2007)

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are wrapping up their Horror Musical Month with an undeniable banger: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)!! Listen in to hear why this is the best adaptation since The Thing, what to do if you want to make a good musical, and whether or not horror can even translate to a musical format.

Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are talking a brand new release this week with Zach Cregger's Barbarian (2022). They're dive into gender issues, how to approach commentary, and wondering when Donald Glover will finally make a horror film.

This is a brand new film, so just know there are so so many SPOILERS in this episode.

CW/TW: discussions of gore, sexual assault

Barbarian (2022)

Hey, Babes! Nicole and Topher are keeping your November going with another 2022 film about why dudes are the worst: Alex Garland's "Men". Listen in if you want to hear why Rory Kinnear understood the exact point of the project, how music and musique concrete affects the tone of a film, and where allegory meets tone poems.

There are SPOILERS in here, so just a heads up.

TW/CW: discussions of gore, assault, self-harm

Men (2022)

Welcome back, babes! Nicole sits down to bring you the first half of Nicky Esposito's (Nicky_XX on r/nosleep) "I Shouldn't Have Returned to the Little House on Briar Rose Drive". Grab a coffee, put on a warm coat and prepare for the chills you're gonna get from one of our favorite scary stories on the whole wide internet!

Narration: I Shouldn't Have Returned to the Little House on Briar Rose Drive Parts 1-6

Hey Babes! Nicole is back with a tale as old as time (kinda) with The Dead Smile by F. Marion Crawford. If you liked Game of Thrones (incest included) jump on into this oldie but goodie. We promise it'll send shivers up your spine!

Narration: The Dead Smile

Nicole's been banned so our friend Nadia joined Topher to talk about one of their favorite movies: Annihilation (2018). IT'S SO GOOD! We're talking gender politics, sci-fi horror, Chekov, and the Dream Daddies of Film. It's a long one because neither of us knows when to shut up, but kick back, settle in and enjoy.

We got SPOILERS like mad in here, so, you know, heads up.

Annihilation (w/ Nadia Sepsenwol)

Nicole is BACK in the bunker so this week Topher is joined by friend and artist Shannon Stovall to talk a deep cut - Tarsem Singh's feature debut, The Cell. If you like art chats, you're gonna enjoy this. Dive deep (get it??) with us on a weird, risky, sci-fi horror mashup!

SPOILERS ya goofs!

The Cell w/ Shannon Stovall

It's right behind you! What? You can't see the sex demon? You must not have seen It Follows (2015) then. And that's a terrible decision. Okay - you've watched it now? Great! Then listen along with our discussion where we talk about rape culture, why using John Carpenter as an influence is only ever a good decision, and awful "Nice Guys". Barf.

First and foremost, we want to throw out a TRIGGER WARNING for some discussion of rape, sexual assault and general sexual violence. We care about y'all and want this to be fun and safe.

Second and most obviously, SPOILERS dum dums! That's why we told you to watch the movie first! Gosh.

If you want to read more like we do, peep these links!
1. David Christopher Bell on the new subgenre of horror:
https://www.cracked.com/blog/how-get-out-pioneering-brand-new-genre-horror/
2. Mike Gioulakis on how to shoot a horror film:
https://filmmakermagazine.com/93629-we-didnt-have-to-add-too-much-creepiness-it-follows-dp-mike-gioulakis/#.XrSnDnVKg2x
3. Disasterpeace is a good music boy:
https://web.archive.org/web/20150415031918/http://balzertown.com/cinemaknifefight/2015/02/24/scoring-horror-interview-rich-vreeland/
4. "Professional" opinion (ours are better):
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/it-follows-2015
5. Quentin Tarantino can honestly just leave:
https://www.vulture.com/2015/08/how-quentin-tarantino-would-fix-it-follows.html

It Follows

Let's get freaky in technicolor! We're grappling with the feminist throwback film The Love Witch (2016) this week, sorting out great production from feminist film theory. We're talking Anna Biller's refutation of period pieces, M. David Mullen's perfect period cinematography and some cool philosophy tidbits. Find your chunky glassware, throw on a Dusty Springfield record and enjoy.

As always, SPOILERS. Additionally, no original songs were harmed in the making of this podcast.

FOOTNOTES:
1. Baltimore Sun talking to Anna Biller:
https://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/movies/bal-dispatches-from-maryland-film-festival-orange-sunshine-director-s-risk-taking-pays-off-20160506-story.html

2. ASC interview with M. David Mullen:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170224053853/https://www.theasc.com/site/podcasts/the-love-witch-m-david-mullen-asc/

3. Empire Mag on stylization:
https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/love-witch-review/

4. AV Club on aesthetics:
https://film.avclub.com/the-love-witch-paints-the-battle-of-the-sexes-with-a-ga-1798189434

5. Transgressive Femininities in Anna Biller’s The Love Witch
https://www.anothergaze.com/crazy-love-transgressive-femininities-anna-billers-love-witch/

The Love Witch

Nicole and Topher are talking about the movie with the longest title of all time! It's a fact! Definitely don't look it up! Oz Perkins' 2016 gothic horror film I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives in the House is on the docket this week, and they're talking tone poems, silent film, camera angles and women in horror.

Definitely some SPOILERS here.

FOOTNOTES:
First and foremost, check the linktree on our website for places and ways to support Black and Black trans lives.

Second, the articles we referenced:

Stephen Dalton at The Hollywood Reporter:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/i-am-pretty-thing-lives-929814

April Wolfe at The Village Voice:
https://www.villagevoice.com/2016/09/15/toronto-film-festival-i-am-the-pretty-thing-that-lives-in-the-house-is-the-best-of-gothic-horror/

Brian Tallerico at Roger Ebert:
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/i-am-the-pretty-thing-that-lives-in-the-house-2016

I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House

Y'all - we really hope we didn't curse you with this one, but you might only have seven days to live after listening to this episode. We took all the precautions we could think to, but honestly there's just no guarantee. Y'know why? Because we're talking about the Japanese horror classic Ring (aka Ringu, 1998) this week! We're talking about terrible fathers, technophobia, and creepy ladies.

Naturally, there's SPOILERS here. Just get over it.

Also, because we love you, there is TW/CW for some talk of self-harm.

Ring (1998)

Happy Crimpler! Hope you've got your spirits high (a pretty tall order this year - we know), because Krampus (2015) is coming to town! Join as we talk about good dumb fun, character actors, and holiday memories.

This movie came out five years ago, so there's for sure SPOILERS kids!!

Krampus (2015)

What up, Babes? It's another week with at least three final girls, two hosts who have feelings about a problematic trope and one movie: The Final Girls (2015). As we often do, we're diving into what makes a good commentary and how our favorite genre can do more.

Clearly, there's going to be SPOILERS.

FOOTNOTES:

The writers on their inspiration:
https://creativescreenwriting.com/the-final-girls-a-slasher-movie-inspired-by-woody-allen/

Ethan Anderson for First Showing:
https://www.firstshowing.net/2014/malin-akerman-taissa-farmiga-to-lead-meta-horror-the-final-girls/

The Final Girls

What up! We're the Horror Babes: Nicole and Topher. What are we doing here? We're talking horror! All of it! Movies? Yup. Narrations? We got 'em. Discussion about the genre at large? Oh hell yes! Join us every Friday for your new fav horror podcast!

Horror Babes

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