Episode 149. Bloodlust: The Last House on the Left (1972)

Wes Craven’s first feature continues to draw audiences and critics to it. By examining the production, reception, and impact of The Last House on the Left, Andrea and Alex will investigate the legacy of the rape-revenge subgenre and our evolving understanding of it. 

*Apologies for the poor audio on this one, guys! We’ll catch that gremlin one day and we’ll skin him alive!

 

REQUIRED READING

The Last House on the Left. Dir. Wes Craven, 1972. 

 

EXTRA CREDIT

A Promising Young Woman and the End of the Girlboss Era. Ayesha A. Siddiqi’s in-depth analysis of the Emerald Fennell’s first feature. 

Screams and Nightmares: The Films of Wes Craven. A thorough look at Craven’s oeuvre with insights and anecdotes from the man himself. 

Celluloid Crime of the Century – the full 2003 doc is on YouTube, featuring interviews with Craven, Cunningham, and select castmembers.
 
Tagged ,

Episode 148. In Heaven: Eraserhead (1977)

This month, we’ve summoned friend of the show (and verified Lynch stan) Stacie Ponder to join us as we wander aimlessly into the surrealist nightmare of David Lynch’s mind. Through an exploration of his first film Eraserhead, we’ll investigate one of cinema’s most enigmatic creatives and his myths of America. 

Check out Stacie’s podcast: Final Girl After Dark

 

REQUIRED READING

Eraserhead. Dir. David Lynch, 1977. 

 

EXTRA CREDIT

Who Made That Built-In Eraser? An overview of an American partnership.
 
The Theatre of the Absurd Martin Esslin’s critical essay that defined an undefinable movement. 

Premonition Following an Evil Deed (1995) on YouTube. A very unsettling 56-second film!

 
Tagged , ,

Episode 147. The Fackening: 2025 Year in Review

Another year of mad fackery has come to end, so Andrea and Alex take a last look at 2025 to review our horror (and non-horror) faves of the year. 

 
Alex’s picks:
Weapons
Bring Her Back
The Ugly Stepsister
Final Destination Bloodlines
Companion
Good Boy
The Occupant of the Room
Mangittatuarjuk: The Gnawer of Rocks
 
Andrea’s picks:
Bring Her Back
Weapons
Final Destination Bloodlines
Heart Eyes
The Ugly Stepsister
Dangerous Animals
Him
 

LISTEN

Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”

Tagged , ,

Episode 146. Slayride: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

Andrea and Alex interrogate the pearl clutching that went on during Silent Night, Deadly Night‘s initial theatrical run, what it means to cultivate festive cheer, and the importance of being nice and never naughty. 

Class of 2025 Merch is now available! Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design! 
 
Join us over on Patreon for more content!
 

REQUIRED READING

Silent Night, Deadly Night. Dir. Charles Sellier Jr, 1984.
 

EXTRA CREDIT

At the Movies: Silent Night, Deadly Night. Siskel and Ebert’s review. 
 
A Once Controversial Release, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” Gains Another Chance to Terrorize. Film at Lincoln Center’s piece on the history and importance of Silent Night, Deadly Night. 
 
Santa Claus: The Myth in America. A look at St. Nick’s bizarre (and frankly, kind of hilarious) origin story as a folk hero and a religious icon

LISTEN

Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As”

Tagged ,