The idea of making a movie that’s both homoerotic and thrilling is hardly new, which is why we decided to throw it back to the ‘40s for our third installment of Homoerotic Thriller Pride. On the latest Spooky Tuesday, we’re talking about Cat People (1942), a subtly sapphic creature feature about Irena, a recent immigrant who fears her passions may come with dangerous consequences. Given that this flick was made under the Hays Code, there’s a lot it couldn’t show or even really hint it, but it’s been viewed through a queer lens for decades. This week, we’re pointing out parallels and pondering the past as we dabble in cinematic history. References: https://www.horrorhomeroom.com/cat-people-1942-coding-lesbianism-via-otherness/https://wordpress.lehigh.edu/screams/2020/03/22/cat-people-1942/ https://screenqueens.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/cat-people-exploring-lesbianism-through-the-otherness/https://unimelbfilmsoc.org/2022/11/30/a-retrospective-review-cat-people-1942-and-1982/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hays_Code

When it comes to erotic thrillers, Mulholland Drive (2001) is one of the classics — and given that it opens with a serendipitous sapphic love story between a Hollywood hopeful and an amnesiac A-list actress, it felt like a must-do for this year's pride lineup. Though the 2.5 hour runtime may be daunting to new viewers, this movie earns every minute, mixing mystery with the charm of an unexpected romance. And we do mean unexpected. Known for his surrealist style, David Lynch wrote and directed a film that takes you on a journey as it examines love, loss, and the meaning of dreams. Also, Billy Ray Cyrus is there for a second, too. References:https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/mulholland-drive-explained/https://www.mulholland-drive.net/studies/swap.htmhttps://screenrant.com/mulholland-drive-behind-scenes-facts-david-lynch-hollywood-satire/https://theasc.com/articles/mulholland-drive-cinematic-journeyhttps://medium.com/outtake/in-plain-sight-the-hidden-symbolism-in-mulholland-drive-4183752813e1https://screenrant.com/interpretations-of-mulholland-drive/https://medium.com/@ashfaq.mf/metaphor-in-mulholland-drive-2dcfbb029271https://afterellen.com/importance-mulholland-drive-sapphic-cinematic-history/

Happy Pride, Spookies! It's that time of year again where we become our strongest, gayest, most fabulous selves, and this month we're celebrating with Homoerotic Thriller Pride. To kick things off, we're covering The Hunger (1983), a bloodsucking bisexual romp featuring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon. And since Pride is all about community, we also invited our pals from Queer Cinema Catchup to come help us out! Join us on a new Spooky Tuesday as we debate relationship dynamics, discuss that studio-altered ending, and inevitably start making Twilight references. Follow Queer Cinema Catchup on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Check out Allison and Joe's new episodes every Thursday on Apple and Spotify. References: https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/david-bowie/the-hunger-lesbian-vampirehttps://insessionfilm.com/the-hidden-tragedy-of-tony-scotts-the-hunger/https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3492502/horror-queers-hunger-lesbian-sex/https://btchflcks.com/2013/10/a-study-in-contrasts-the-hunger.html https://btchflcks.com/2015/10/nine-pretty-great-lesbian-vampire-movies.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekhmethttps://www.per-spex.com/articles/2020/10/25/the-hunger-and-the-bauhaus-movementhttps://dagondogs.com/posts/the-hunger-1983-arcane-visions

For our Nic May-ge finale, we saved the best for last. We're finishing off our month-long Cage Rage by delving deep with Mandy (2018), an atmospheric adventure that explores the nature of grief and revenge. Full of rich, saturated colors and '80s rock and roll bangers, this flick is the perfect mix of vibes and emotion. Plus, it also features full-frontal male nudity, drug trips, and tigers, so really what else could you need, are we right?References: https://mandysoundtrack.bandcamp.com/album/amulet-of-the-weeping-maze-from-the-mandy-original-motion-picture-soundtrackhttps://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/9g1skw/piecing_together_some_of_the_horror_influences_on/https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueFilm/comments/ahhn4j/does_anyone_have_any_theories_on_the_meaning_of/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula_hawkhttps://nofilmschool.com/camp-film-festivalhttps://screenrant.com/nic-cage-mandy-every-80s-movie-reference-explained/https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/mandy-how-heavy-metal-inspired-2018s-most-psychedelic-action-horror-film/https://screenrant.com/mandy-behind-scenes-facts-panos-cosmatos-nicolas-cage-horror-movie/https://www.moviemaker.com/how-they-did-it-panos-cosmatos-mandy/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3515039/nicolas-cage-character-mandy-inspired-jason-voorhees/https://ew.com/movies/2018/08/10/nicolas-cage-mandy-jason-voorhees/https://www.vulture.com/2018/09/lets-talk-about-the-most-harrowing-scene-in-mandy.html

It’s that time of year, Spookies! Sydney’s back in town, and that means we get to record another very special in-person episode, and this one’s all about Drive Angry (2011). For our third installment of NIC MAY-GE, we’re focusing on a grindhouse-inspired thriller where the man of the month teams up with Amber Heard. An adrenaline-fueled adventure that sees this duo facing off against Billy Burke, this flick dials up the sex, style, and violence, and it’s one you definitely don’t want to watch with your dad — despite the father-daughter themes. Join us (and Nicolas Cage) as we hit the road at high speeds like we’re escaping from hell itself. References:

They say there's no love like the kind you get from your parents — except for maybe in Mom and Dad (2017). For our second installment of NIC MAY-GE, we're leaving the coast behind and heading deep into the suburbs... and a world where mothers and fathers are mysteriously turning on their own children. With Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair teaming up for a black comedy that turns the ~natural order of things~ on its head, this flick is a wild romp that takes less than 90 minutes (allegedly) to get through. Tune in to our latest episode as we debate poor optics, iconic visuals, and how this whole thing might work. References:https://www.filminquiry.com/interview-brian-taylor-mom-and-dad/https://rue-morgue.com/exclusive-interview-mom-dad-writer-director-brian-taylor-on-killing-kids-nicolas-cages-madness-and-more/

When one theme month ends, another begins — or at least that's the way it goes at Spooky Tuesday these days. Next up? NIC MAY-GE, a.k.a. four weeks of scary movies all dedicated to the works of Nicolas Cage. We're kicking things off with The Wicker Man (2006), an American reimagining of the 1973 folk horror, but what makes this flick most famous is a line that didn't actually make the theatrical cut. On our newest episode, we're playing compare and contrast between all the various versions as we dig into the conspiracy theory of it all, shout out some iconic quotes, and try to tell apart an island of beautiful blondes. References:Alternate Ending: https://youtu.be/rvMwSrh0aGs?si=usPemjSOs6lneKgwhttps://collider.com/why-is-the-wicker-man-2006-so-bad-nicolas-cage/https://www.nathanrabin.com/happy-place/2022/2/22/the-wicker-man-is-a-gloriously-unhinged-cult-classic-thats-one-of-the-best-bad-movies-ever-madehttps://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3576363/second-chances-wicker-man-remake-misunderstood-gem-just-plain-bad/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a39510660/nicolas-cage-defends-wicker-man-bees-scene/https://screenrant.com/wicker-man-malus-bees-failed-ritual-theory/https://beeculture.com/the-wicker-man-the-eye-of-the-beholder/https://www.speakupaskanswer.com/blog/2014/07/22/the-wicker-man-2006https://decentfilms.com/reviews/wickerman2006https://www.facultyofhorror.com/2015/04/episode-26-mother-lover-matriarchy-in-the-wicker-man-1973-2006-and-paranormal-activity-3-2011/https://ttkmeup.com/blog/2020/4/24/the-wicker-man-hilariously-hating-women-since-2006

You did it, Spookies! You survived PLANET OF THE APE-RIL! So to celebrate, we thought we'd spend our final installment exploring the new era of the franchise. In many ways, Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) is as much a prequel as it is a reboot, and it offers an interesting starting point for an updated look at this story. With our now extensive knowledge of the original movies, we're ready to talk not only about all of the CLEAR references sprinkled throughout, but also to analyze what might be coming down the pipeline for the future of the Planet of the Apes. References:https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/16wybuq/references_to_previous_planet_of_the_apes/?share_id=zK4W7bipDGZBgl59VSCjX&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_source=share&utm_term=4

Alright, Spookies, we finally finished making our way through the OG flicks, which means it's time to start talking reboots. That's right, we've circled so far through PLANET OF THE APE-RIL that we're now right back at the beginning with Planet of the Apes (2001). For take two of the franchise, Tim Burton teamed up with Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter to see if they had something new to add to the conversation, but studio meddling may have caused some major problems. Join us for a new Spooky Tuesday as we discuss how it stacks up to the originals, its fidelity to the Pierre Boulle novel, and the way Rick Baker finally got the tightline right. References:https://www.arkinspace.com/2014/08/the-mystery-of-orangutan-flange.htmlhttps://ew.com/gallery/planet-of-the-apes-behind-the-makeup/https://planetoftheapes.fandom.com/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes_(2001)_Concept_Art_%26_Costume_Testshttps://collider.com/planet-of-the-apes-tim-burton-why-its-good/

We're halfway through PLANET OF THE APE-RIL, Spookies! And we've just about worked our way through all of the originals. This week on Spooky Tuesday, we're wrapping up that portion of our Planet of the Apes theme month as we cover Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973). Taking its new Earth-bound setting to the next level, the final two flicks in this franchise look to the not-so-distant future (which is still our present-day-past) as they tackle the '90s and beyond and start to lay the groundwork for some familiar settings. References:Original Conquest of the Planet of the Apes EndingBehind the Planet of the Apes DocumentaryConquest of the Planet of the Apes ScriptBattle for the Planet of the Apes Scripthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_riots

Not sure how more Planet of the Apes could possibly play out after the end of that last movie? Don't worry, that's a recurring theme for this franchise, but new sequels kept getting sold nonetheless — and Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) is pretty much the king of the retcon. This flick manages to be both funny and philosophical while holding a mirror up to its audience, and on our latest installment of PLANET OF THE APE-RIL, we're going retro as we reexamine this snapshot of the ‘70s.References:https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/why-escape-from-the-planet-of-the-apes-was-ahead-of-its-time/http://www.potamediaarchive.com/EPTR.htm

Spookies, this latest theme month has been nearly a year in the making, which is why we're so excited to finally welcome you to PLANET OF THE APE-RIL. Utilizing all five weeks of April, we're taking you on a journey through space, time, and one of last century's most famous (and political) scifi/horror franchises. Starting with the first two movies in the original iteration — Planet of the Apes (1968) and Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) — we're joined by special guest Ashley Reese as we travel to the far-off future and hold up a mirror to the not-so-distant past. Follow Ashley Reese on Instagram and Twitter. You can check out her Substack newsletter, Bad Brain, here. References:https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/religious-right-real-origins-107133/https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-film-preservation-board/documents/planet_apes.pdfhttps://roxannebsaiso.medium.com/planet-of-the-apes-1968-92df49cf3f05https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/07/163146/planet-of-the-apes-racism-skin-color-stereotypeshttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Tet-Offensivehttps://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-russia-nuclear-arms-controlhttps://thegrio.com/2011/08/05/the-racial-politics-behind-planet-of-the-apes/https://www.film89.co.uk/beneath-the-planet-of-the-apes-1970-an-end-times-allegory/The Simpsons' Planet of the Apes MusicalDave Chappelle on Planet of the Apes

It feels like just yesterday we started Retroactive Y2K month, but tragically it's already time to bring it to an end. That said, just like with the original Y2K, we're ready to party like there's no tomorrow, which is why we brought in Queen of the Damned (2002) to help us celebrate Monica's birthday. Part of the larger Interview with the Vampire world and a pseudo-sequel to the 1994 flick, this movie doesn't star Tom Cruise, but it's still an iconic entry into the Lestat Serving Cunt canon. Anne Rice may not approve, but Aaliyah's got the moves on a new Spooky Tuesday. References: Cher "Dressed to Kill" Music VideoCorpse Bride x Mitski EditI'm With You - Avril Lavigne Music Videohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vampire_Lestathttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Queen_of_the_Damnedhttps://screenrant.com/how-stuart-townsend-was-cast-in-queen-of-the-damned/https://numetalagenda.com/feature/22-years-of-queen-of-the-damned/https://www.dreadcentral.com/editorials/454069/its-time-for-a-queen-of-the-damned-renaissance/https://www.vulture.com/2021/10/an-oral-history-of-queen-of-the-damned.html

If you've seen Ginger Snaps (2000), you know it was a movie pretty much made for Spooky Tuesday — so it's kind of a shock that it's taken us this long to get around to it. But when it comes to ending the WW part of WWVVSDE (Werewolf vs. Vampire Seasonal Depression Event), we just might have saved the best for last. On this week's episode, we're diving into the Katharine Isabelle cult classic, breaking down the social commentary exactly as Emily Perkins would've wanted, and calling out all of the cultural touch points past and future that this flick was in conversation with. References: Deleted Scenes: `https://youtu.be/0grukrSbiwM?si=3uLbrLvK3o4hmbIhhttps://x.com/mudbuckle/status/1817412371880833151https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/oct/25/werewolf-thelma-and-louise-how-we-made-cult-horror-ginger-snaps-scarlet-johansson-boycotthttps://thiswitchwrites.home.blog/2019/12/28/ginger-snaps-and-the-impossible-task-of-growing-up-female/https://bloodlettermag.com/ginger-snaps-and-the-possession-of-womanhood/https://medium.com/@wewillbethestars/together-forever-sisterhood-and-femininity-in-ginger-snaps-women-in-horror-series-64adcbfeda7dhttps://wearethemutants.com/2020/10/08/sister-lovers-the-curse-of-queerness-in-ginger-snaps/https://x.com/retrocvnty/status/1894105708385145171

We're not exactly big game heads over here at Spooky Tuesday, but that doesn't mean we can't get down with a good video game adaptation. This week, we're playing along with our quarterly Patreon pick by covering Silent Hill (2006), a movie attempting to cover at least a few games worth of content while throwing in some original material, too. It's an ambitious project — and how successfully it was pulled off is definitely up to who you ask. On our latest episode, we're talking about those OBVIOUS gay vibes, the original inspiration for Pyramid Head, and sharing all our best theories of what in God's (mom's) name is actually going on. References: https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/silent-hill-the-movie-someone-explain-what-i-just-watched.535467/https://gamerant.com/silent-hill-movie-ending-explained/https://www.slashfilm.com/648175/silent-hill-ending-explained-no-one-leaves-silent-hill/https://screenrant.com/silent-hill-movie-true-story-real-town-history-explained/

Spookies, it's time to fulfill the final part of a deal made all the way back in October. To complete our children's horror trifecta (and the second half of a long-separated Tim Burton TwosWeeks), we're throwing it back to Corpse Bride (2005), an animated musical about life, death, and love triangles. Inspired by Jewish folklore and running the color spectrum from drab to fab, this sweet story can warm even a hater's heart, but a healthy dose of nostalgia doesn't hurt. On our latest episode of Spooky Tuesday, we're sharing our favorite moments, CLEAR references, and ships that should've been. References:https://youtu.be/49HqqPo0_-M?si=7YKV7MQTZe6GXXUQhttps://youtu.be/kpjxILfBV60?si=-BP6lDXtnZEz7tx1https://youtu.be/EDkfu2tHBS4?si=Z6PTmp1HCAJhekkQhttps://youtu.be/EDkfu2tHBS4?si=WqdvSrxqFft9fQYz

All good things must come to an end, Spookies, but we wanted to send Monster Fucker February off with a beautiful goodbye. That's why we decided to close out this month's theme by covering The Shape of Water (2017), Guillermo del Toro's semi-underwater romance inspired by 1954's Creature from the Black Lagoon. A gorgeous period piece and Oscar winner several times over, this flick isn't lacking in fashion or function, and we're talking about it all — from sexy egg connections to upsettingly relevant political parallels — on a new episode of Spooky Tuesday. References: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8650-the-shape-of-water-a-touch-of-the-unknown?srsltid=AfmBOopUJPk7mRzVCH4vnyCxNKG9Sq_tRKX7sSIFDxkmonNrNu6LLa0Ehttps://www.screendaily.com/features/guillermo-del-toro-on-how-the-shape-of-water-reflects-todays-casual-racism-and-sexism/5124817.articlehttps://www.stanwinstonschool.com/blog/revealing-creative-process-behind-the-shape-of-water-creature-legacy-effectshttps://variety.com/2018/artisans/news/how-guillermo-del-toro-shape-of-water-robert-redford-1202666047/https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/9/12/16288080/shape-of-water-del-toro-review-best-picturehttps://medium.com/the-blog-in-the-woods/the-shape-of-water-a-monster-of-a-love-story-1ab7e94db16ehttps://reactormag.com/i-belong-where-the-people-are-disability-and-the-shape-of-water/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shape-of-water-offensive-to-people-with-disabilities_n_5a8b798de4b0a1d0e12c48fchttps://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/episode-379-populism-in-italy-s-elections-greenland-s-ice-melt-the-shape-of-water-ode-to-cds-and-more-1.4555633/what-the-shape-of-water-gets-wrong-about-disability-1.4555657https://vocal.media/geeks/the-shape-of-water-dream-dance-is-the-best-scene-of-2017https://spookytuesdaypod.tumblr.com/post/688611957921792000/ok-wait-bc-im-not-saying-finding-nemo-jacked

Here at Spooky Tuesday, we go through the highs and lows of horror — and when you fit the theme, you fit the theme, which is how Splice (2009) ended up on our schedule for Monster Fucker February. Whether you've never heard of it, were scandalized after watching it in theaters, or have been eagerly/nervously awaiting the opportunity to see it for yourself after reading a certain Internet famous LiveJournal review, this movie makes for quite the viewing experience. It's famously awful, but also features two Academy Awards winners and nominees, and isn't that exactly the sort of conflict that can make life so interesting? On our new episode, Monica takes us all down the rabbit (plus kangaroo plus bird plus fish plus human plus slug or whatever) hole as we dissect this abominable creation. References:https://makesomelove.livejournal.com/227249.htmlhttps://www.wired.com/2010/06/splice-mutant/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/23/splice-the-evolution-of-drenhttps://screenrant.com/vincenzo-natali-splice-classic-monster-movie-frankenstein/https://screenrant.com/spice-movie-real-inspiration-explained/https://www.treehugger.com/animals-can-change-their-sex-4869361https://www.sarahaband.com/product-page/vacanti-mouse

When we went hunting for the right second movie to satisfy our confluence of themes — Werewolf vs. Vampire Seasonal Depression Event (WWVVSDE) and Monster Fucker February — we knew we had a tricky task ahead of us. Luckily, a quick Google search lead us to My Animal (2023), a queer werewolf romance that flew under the radar thanks to the unlucky timing of its initial release. Featuring an acid trip at a casino on a full moon, Amandla Stenberg and Bobbi Salvör Menuez in an ice hockey/figure skater flirtation, and a bona fide seggs dream a.k.a. a sex dream with eggs, this flick comes with plenty of reasons it’s worth a watch (and that’s without even getting into the Love Lies Bleeding of it all). Now that you can check it out on Shudder, we’re hoping this story gets a second wind, so join us as we break it all down on a new Spooky Tuesday.References:Shelley Duval's Faerie Tale Theatre: Beauty and the Beasthttps://www.dreadcentral.com/news/446611/my-animal-stars-amandla-stenberg-and-bobbi-salvor-menuez-talk-their-queer-new-werewolf-horror/https://www.dreadcentral.com/interviews/462854/my-animal-actors-bobbi-salvor-menuez-and-amandla-stenberg-on-this-horror-classic/https://screenrant.com/my-animal-director-amandla-stenberg-chemistry-sundance/https://www.them.us/story/my-animal-movie-jacqueline-castel-interviewFried or Fertilized Music VideoLemme Smang It Music Video

Back in December, Nosferatu (2024) was the movie that launched a million memes, and we're ready to join the fun here at Spooky Tuesday. But we're not just covering Robert Eggers's latest paranormal period piece on our new episode, we're also celebrating a true confluence of themed coverage. While we picked this flick to be our next installment of WWVVSDE (Werewolf vs. Vampire Seasonal Depression Event), it's also kicking off a little thing we like to call Monster Fucker February. Join us as we debate a very complicated love triangle, and be sure to stay until the end to learn the ~true~ significance of all the lilac featured in the film, crrrazy styleee. References:Inspo for the final shot: Smithsonian Maghttps://time.com/7202756/nosferatu-robert-eggers-interview/https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/robert-eggers-reworked-nosferatu-for-decades-before-deciding-to-make-it-ellens-story/www.gamesradar.comhttps://youtu.be/xl1UKp5K_A0?si=06sMfyEBJ983fL5whttps://www.theverge.com/2024/12/20/24322594/robert-eggers-nosferatu-interviewhttps://screenrant.com/nosferatu-love-triangle-ellen-thomas-count-orlok-explainer/https://www.dreadcentral.com/editorials/519187/robert-eggers-nosferatu-rejects-eroticism-to-portray-a-harrowing-reality/https://www.cbr.com/ellen-nosferatu-connection-explained/https://youtu.be/PHdVBjDm-UA?si=SXZs9rR_eK90Tc_fhttps://youtu.be/BWfMBSNF2eU?si=23xZMtgYq6ALw2dUhttps://youtu.be/wHGOhaXNqiM?si=5hRmDXyLenYYoggbhttps://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/nosferatu-robert-eggers-making-count-orlok-a-monster-againhttps://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-haunting-history-behind-nosferatuhttps://variety.com/2025/artisans/news/bill-skarsgard-nosferatu-transformation-makeup-mustache-count-orlok-1236249285/https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2025/01/10/the-occult-history-of-nosferatu-explained/https://www.studentfilmjournal.co.uk/jan-23-articles/nosferatuhttps://screenrant.com/nosferatu-count-orlok-vampire-solomonari-romanian-folklore-explainer/