In this episode, we discuss our summer in terms of movie-going, from big superhero blockbusters to contemplative indie dramas. Topics include our evolving taste in films, the benefit of cheap afternoon matinee tickets, and our weakness for cute animals sidekicks. Content warnings: mentions of violence and death, racism, alcoholism, sexual assault, and homophobia. Media Mentioned: Episode 48 – 28 Zombies Later The Pitt (TV show) Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy A Legionnaire’s Guide to Love and Peace by Emily Skrutskie Catwoman: Lonely City by Cliff Chiang 28 Years Later dir. Danny Boyle Superman dir. James Gunn X-Men: First Class dir. Matthew Vaughn Guardians of the Galaxy dir. James Gunn The Suicide Squad dir. James Gunn Upright (TV show) KPop Demon Hunters dir. Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans The Life of Chuck dir. Mike Flanagan On Writing by Stephen King The Phoenician Scheme dir. Wes Anderson Strictly Ballroom dir. Baz Luhrmann Rushmore dir. Wes Anderson Moonrise Kingdom dir. Wes Anderson Asteroid City dir. Wes Anderson A Quiet Place: Day One dir. Michael Sarnoski Fantastic Four: First Steps dir. Matt Shakman Gladiator II dir. Ridley Scott Episode 41 – There’s No Place Like Rome Wakanda Forever dir. Ryan Coogler Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings dir. Destin Daniel Cretton Furiosa dir. George Miller Fantastic Four (2015) dir. Josh Trank Fantastic Four by Ryan North Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman Lord of Misrule dir. William Brent Bell Near Dark dir. Kathryn Bigelow In the Summers dir. Alessandra Lacorazza Dune (1984) dir. David Lynch Honey, Don’t! dir. Ethan Coen Drive Away Dolls dir. Ethan Coen Fargo dir. Joel and Ethan Coen Knives Out dir. Rian Johnson Jurassic Park dir. Steven Spielberg The Dark Knight dir. Christopher Nolan

In a shocking departure from our vampire-obsessed podcast, this week we’re talking about zombies! Revisiting Danny Boyle’s cult-class film 28 Days Later, its awful sequel 28 Weeks Later, and the tonally surprising third installment 28 Years Later, we discuss the evolution of zombie media, social commentary in apocalyptic settings, and child protagonists in horror.    Media mentioned: Silvercloak by L.K. Steven The Order dir. Justin Kurzel Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas The Deviant by James Tynion IV On Swift Horses by Shannon Pufahl Say Nothing (TV show) Unearthed (documentary) Near Dark dir. Kathryn Bigelow Wildhood dir. Bretten Hannam Doctor Who True Detective: Night Country The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey Anna and the Apocalypse dir. John McPhail Oppenheimer dir. Christopher Nolan Pacific Rim dir. Guillermo del Toro Once Upon a Time (TV show) A Quiet Place: Day One dir. Michael Sarnoski Romeo + Juliet dir. Baz Luhrmann Nosferatu dir. Robert Eggers The Suicide Squad dir. James Gunn Mad Max dir. George Miller A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness Sinners dir. Ryan Coogler 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple dir. Nia DaCosta The Marvels dir. Nia DaCosta Ex Machina dir. Alex Garland Warfare dir. Ray Mendoza Annihilation dir. Alex Garland Content warnings: discussions of disease, violence, death, suicide, slavery, attempted sexual assault and forced pregnancy, parental abuse, cancer, terminal illness.

In this follow-up episode to our previously announced literary death match competition, we discuss how our month of reading played out. Who won the competition? What were our favorite reads? Will we ever recover from the air of paranoia and competition that infiltrated our household? The answer to these questions and more await!   Media Mentioned: Careme (TV show) The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson The Pitt (TV show) Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas The Turn of the Screw by Henry James Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake Evocation by S.T. Gibson A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft Enter, Ghost by Isabella Hammad The Scapegoat by Lucy Hughes Hallett Cracked Spines podcast An African History of Africa by Zeinad Badawi The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez Longbourn by Jo Baker The Rooster House by Victoria Belim Raised by Wolves anthology Eyes Guts Throats Bones by Moira Fowley This Love Lotte Jeffs One Day by David Nicholls Here, the World Entire by Anwen Kya Hayward Here by Wislawa Szymborska The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles The Duke at Hazard by KJ Charles Maurice by E.M Forster Any Other City by Hazel Jane Plante Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman Triple Sec by T.J. Alexander The Ninety-Ninth Bride by Catherine Faris King Last Seen Online by Wren James The Wise and the Wicked by Rebecca Podos How to Gut a Fish by Sheila Armstrong In These Hallowed Halls edited by Marie O’Regan and Patrick Kane The Secret History by Donna Tartt That’s What She Said by Eleanor Pilcher Passing Strange by Ellen KlagesPeach Pit: Sixteen Stories of Unsavory Women edited by Molly Llewellyn and Kristel Buckley Mint and Melancholy Nazik Adam Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill Let the Dead by Dylan Brennan Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Uncommon Charm by Emily Bergslien and Kat Weaver Passing by Nella Larsen Tha Vanishing Half by Britt Bennet Sixteen Souls by Rosie Talbot All Systems Red by Martha Wells Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart by GennaRose Nethercott Love in Color by Bolu Babalola The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater Sleepless Volume 1 by Sarah Vaughn and Leila del Duca

This week, we’re back to discuss Ryan Coogler’s musical horror film, Sinners. Following a pair of gangster brothers in the 1930s who return home to rural Mississippi to open a juke joint and find themselves facing down a supernatural horror. Blending horror, history, and blues music, it’s a rich and complex film that we also had an absolute blast watching. Topics of discussion include the film’s use of music, its historical setting, use of vampire lore, and recommendations for similar media.    Content warnings: discussions of segregation, racism, murder, lynching, forced religious conversion   Media Mentioned Episode 44 – Literary Death Match Slow Horses (TV show) Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman Any Other City by Hazel Jane Plante Little Blue Encyclopedia (For Vivian) by Hazel Jane Plante Bonus Track dir. Julia Jackman Sing Street dir. John Carney The 100 Nights of Hero by Isabel Greenberg Black Panther dir. Ryan Coogler Black Panther: Wakanda Forever dir. Ryan Coogler Creed dir. Ryan Coogler Queen of Katwe dir. Mira Nair Fruitvale Station dir. Ryan Coogler Robert Johnson (musician) “Me & the Devil” by Soap & Skin West Side Story (movie/musical) Anna and the Apocalypse dir. John MCPhail How to Blow Up a Pipeline dir. Daniel Goldhaber Mickey-17 dir, Bong Joon Ho “Doubling Up: How ‘Sinners’ and Other Movies Multiply One Actor” by Esther Zuckerman for the New York Times Anora dir. Sean Baker Poor Things dir. Yorgos Lanthimos This Film Is Not Yet Rated dir. Kirby Dick Nickel Boys dir. RaMell Ross “Ryan Coogler’s Road to Sinners” by Jelani Cobb for the New Yorker “Ryan Coogler Didn’t Want to Hide Anymore” by David Sims for the Atlantic Puss in Boots: The Last Wish dir. Joel Crawford The Vourdalak dir. Adrien Beau The Last Voyage of the Demeter dir. André Øvredal AMC’s Interview With the Vampire Blue Eye Samurai (TV show) Geeshie Wiley (musician)  “The Ballad of Geeshie and Elvie” by John Jeremiah Sullivan for the New York Times Rhiannon Giddens (musician) A Complete Unknown dir. James Mangold Get Out dir. Jordan Peele Oddity dir. Damian McCarthy “Let’s Talk About the Irish Music in Sinners” by Leah Schnelbach for Reactor  Dracula by Bram Stoker This is England dir. Shane Meadows Lord of the Rings: Return of the King dir. Peter Jackson Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle American Ghoul by Michelle McGill-Vargas The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings Lovers Rock dir. Steve McQueen Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens Abbott by Saladin Ahmed Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron The Diviners by Libba Bray My Heart Struck Sorrow by John Honor Jacobs published in A Lush and Seething Hell Castlevania: Nocturne Lone Women by Victor LaValle Trouble the Saints by Alaya Dawn Johnson Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

This week, we’re back to talk about Bong Joon Ho’s recent science fiction dark comedy, Mickey-17. It stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, a disposable employee sent on a space expedition where he dies and is recloned again and again. Topics of discussion include the film’s satirical commentary on capitalism, some fascinating acting choices from the cast, and ugly-cute aliens. Lulu also tries not to bring up Twilight a lot and kind of fails. Media mentioned: The Wheel of Time (TV series) The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins Episode 36 – The Ballad of Cabbages and Coursework All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle Widows dir. Steve McQueen Mickey-7 by Edward Ashton Snowpiercer dir. Bong Joon Ho Parasite dir. Bong Joon Ho Mad Max: Fury dir. George Miller Fargo dir. Ethan and Joel Coen Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire dir. Mike Newell The Boy and the Heron dir. Hayao Miyazaki Twilight (film franchise) High Life dir. Claire Denis Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker dir. JJ Abrams Poor Things dir. Yorgos Lanthimos The Incredible Hulk dir. Louis Leterrier Black Panther dir. Ryan Coogler Hereditary dir. Ari Aster Hearts Beat Loud dir. Brett Haley Minari dir. Isaac Lee Chung The Borgias (TV show) The Count of Monte Cristo dir. Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière A Streetcar Named Desire (2023 production) Firebrand dir. Karim Aïnouz Severance (TV series) Dune 2 dir. Denis Villenueve  Okja dir. Bong Joon Ho Beowulf Blade Runner dir. Ridley Scott Fire Island dir. Andrew Ahn Episode 27 – More Pride and Less Prejudice Content warnings: discussions of death, human experimentation, and evil capitalism

This week, we’ve decided to be arbitrarily competitive! Tune in to listen to us discuss the literary death match we’ve decided to embark on in the month of May, plus how our reading has gone so far in 2025. Will our podcast survive this competition? Only time will tell!   Media Mentioned Cracked Spines (podcast) Woodworking by Emily St. James The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu Hamlet by William Shakespeare The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko Metal From Heaven by august clarke Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz Headliners by Lucy Parker A Bloomy Head by J. Winifred Butterworth Personal Attention Roleplay by H. Felix Chau Bradley The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman AMC’s Interview With the Vampire Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley Projections by S.E. Porter The Indian Card by Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz I Like to Watch by Emily Nussbaum True Detective The Bluestockings by Susanna Gibson Shakespeare’s Sisters by Ramie Targoff The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck The History of Sound dir. Oliver Hermanus (upcoming film) Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang The Hummingbird Killer by Finn Longman Captain America: The Winter Soldier dir. Anthony Russo and Joe Russo Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelopee Sinners dir. Ryan Coogler A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft Evocation by S.T. Gibson A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher Mexican by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Cosmo Sheldrake (musician)

This week, we’re back with a definitely-on-time episode about our favorite books of 2024! Tune in for spine-chilling horror, characters that consume us, compelling nonfiction, and much more.  For the full list of media mentioned in this episode, visit our website neverthetwinsshallmeet.com Content warnings: Mentions of suicidal ideation (24:30-27:00) Mentions of slavery and racism (34:00-39:30) Mentions of cancer (1:00:00:30-1:02:00) Mentions of murder and slavery (1:03:30-1:08:55) Mentions of fascism and transphobia (1:15:30–1:20:35) Mentions of Nazi Germany (1:46:33-1:47:30) Mentions of antisemitism (1:51:50-1:52:20)

Coming to you several months late, this week’s episode is a round-up of all the horror and generally spooky literature that we read in the month of October. Topics of discussion include female rage in the gothic genre, the blending of real history and supernatural horror, and how most college campus elevators are probably haunted.    Content warnings: discussions of domestic abuse, serial killers, and the AIDs epidemic   Media mentioned The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry Upright (TV show) Woodworking by Emily St. James Severance (TV show) Episode 40 – Spooky Season Special Episode 41 – There’s No Place Like Rome Take All of Us by Natalie Leif The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey Love Will Tear Us Apart by Alaya Dawn Johnson Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury The House That Whispers by Lin Thompson Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Here in the Night by Rebecca Turkewitz American Ghoul by Michelle McGill-Vargas The September House by Carissa Orlando Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker “Where Oaken Hearts Do Gather” by Sarah Pinsker Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews “The V*mpire” by P.H. Lee at reactor.com Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu Dracula by Bram Stoker The Path of Thorns by A.G. Slatter All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter Red X by David Demchuk Witch by Jen Silverman

Happy New Year! We’re starting 2025 off with our longest episode yet, discussing the two Hollywood blockbuster behemoths of fall 2024: Wicked: Part 1 and Gladiator II. Topics of discussion include stage-to-screen adaptations, lesbian subtext, costume design, the perils of sequels, and a significant amount of complaining about historical inaccuracies. Spoilers abound for both movies, as well as the entirety of Wicked the musical and, randomly, Stranger Things season four. Our review of Wicked takes up the first half of the podcast while our discussion of Gladiator II starts at the 1:12:46 mark. Media Mentioned: The Gentlemen on Netflix Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe Cursebreakers by Madeline Nakamura Anna and the Apocalypse dir. John McPhail The Outrun dir. Nora Fingscheidt Bird dir. Andrea Arnold The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Wicked by Gregory Maguire The Divergent movies West Side Story dir. Stephen Spielberg Widows dir. Steve McQueen Victorious (TV show) Bridgerton Crashing (TV show) The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy The Fall dir. Tarsem Singh Everything Everywhere All at Once dir. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert Kaos (TV show) Eragon by Christopher Paolini Thistlefoot by Gennarose Nethercott Gladiator dir. Ridley Scott A Quiet Place: Day One dir. Michael Sarnoski Normal People (2020) All of Us Strangers dir. Andrew Haigh Aftersun dir. Charlotte Wells The Last of Us (TV show) The Mandalorian Much Ado About Nothing dir. Kenneth Brannagh Stranger Things The Fear Street Trilogy Episode 34–Saltblah House of the Dragon (2022–) A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Emma Southon A Rome of One’s Own by Emma Southon Macbeth by William Shakespeare “It Was an Enormous Task: Gladiator II’s Costume Designers on Outfitting Ridley Scott’s Roman Epic (and Getting Denzel to Wear Those Little Earrings) by Elaina Patton for Vogue Napoleon dir. Ridley Scott Kingdom of Heaven dir. Ridley Scott Content Warnings: discussions of slavery, death, violence, homophobia, ableism, colonialism, and fascism.

Happy holidays! Today we’re returning with a seasonally inappropriate episode on Halloween. In the month of October, we challenged ourselves to have a spooky good time and watch some horror movies. Topics include vampires (so many vampires), the joys and terrors of watching scary movies, and the beautiful but terrifyingly haunted nation of Ireland. (Despite the over-eager opening of this episode, we did not get around to discussing horror literature. Stay tuned!)   Media mentioned: Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke The Dangerous Kingdom of Love by Neil Blackmore Arcane (2021-2024) The Poppy War trilogy by RF Kuang High Life dir. Claire Denis The Moth Diaries dir. Mary Harron Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu Dracula by Bram Stoker Twilight by Stephanie Meyer Marina and the Diamonds American Psycho dir. Mary Harron Last Voyage of the Demeter dir. André Øvredal Dracula Daily (internet phenomenon) Renfield dir. Christ McKay The Company of Wolves dir. Neil Jordan Interview With the Vampire dir. Neil Jordan The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter Labyrinth dir. Jim Henson Byzantium dir. Neil Jordan Pride and Prejudice and Zombies dir. Burr Steers Maleficent dir. Robert Stromberg Elementary (2012-2019) Only Lovers Left Alive dir. Jim Jarmusch What We Do in the Shadows Belle dir. Amma Asante All You Need is Death dir. Paul Duane Lankum (band) Beetlejuice dir. Tim Burton Beetlejuice Beetlejuice dir. Tim Burton Coraline dir. Henry Selick The Nightmare Before Christmas dir. Henry Selick Wendell and Wild dir. Henry Selick Now You See Me dir. Louis Leterrier Dumbo dir. Tim Burton Wednesday (2022-) Mamma Mia dir. Phyllida Lloyd Chloe and Jame dir. Drew Burnett Gregory Psycho dir. Alfred Hitchcock The Silence of the Lambs dir. Jonathan Demme Jennifer’s Body dir. Karyn Kusama Oddity dir. Damian McCarthy Dracula dir. Todd Browning Nosferatu dir. Robert Eggers The Vourdalak dir. Adrien Beau The Family of the Vourdalak by Aleksey Tolstoy BBC Trignometry

This week, we return from our lengthy and unplanned hiatus with the world’s! nichest! episode! That’s right, we’re talking about Among Others by Jo Walton, Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater, and Tam Lin by Pamela Dean, three fantasy novels set on school campuses that blend faerie folklore and coming-of-age stories.  Topics of discussion include how each book puts their own spin on the supernatural and the folkloric, tragically canceled book series, reproductive rights, and where on a college campus you’re most likely to run into a faerie. (And yes, this episode was meant to be released several months ago, as our discussion at the beginning indicates. Oops.) Other media mentioned Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly La Chimera dir. Alica Rohrwacher Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carre Challengers dir. Luca Guadagnino Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix show) You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce (creepy faerie book Lulu couldn’t remember the name of) The Wicker King by K. Ancrum Aye and Gomorrah by Samuel R. Delany Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater Chime by franny billingsley The Hounds of Ulster by Maggie Stiefvater Apotheosis (concept, not katabasis) A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin StarCrossed by elizabeth bunce The Oracles of Delphi Keep by Victoria Laurie How to Train Your Dragon  Lord of the Rings (film & books) Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson Content warnings: discussions of sibling death, parental abuse, a car crash, pregnancy and abortion, suicide, and dubious sexual consent

This week is all about the spooky ancestral homes as we talk about And Don’t Look Back by Rebecca Barrow and All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley, two young adult novels about family homes and the dark secrets they hide. Topics include what constitutes a haunted house (does there have to be a literal ghost?), twisty mysteries, and the inherent queerness of the gothic genre. (Also, as you may have guessed, we did NOT release this episode before traveling internationally despite our optimism about doing so in this recording.) Media Mentioned: Shogun (2024) Dungeon Meshi The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill Burning Girls and Other Stories by Veronica Schanoes Tramps (2016) dir. Adam Leon Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow Episode 26: Bad Things at the Beach The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe The Turn of the Screw by Henry James Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Episode 18: Reduce Reuse Reanimate Content Warnings: Discussions of parental death, animal death, domestic abuse, murder, drowning As always, you can learn more at our website, neverthetwinsshallmeet.com

This week, we’re taking a trip to 1950s Italy as we discuss Patricia Highsmith’s classic thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley and its acclaimed 1999 adaptation directed by Anthony Minghella. Topics of discussion include the novel’s iconic con artist protagonist, the twisty plot, homoerotic subtext, and how Minghella put his own spin on the themes and characters.  Media Mentioned Scrapper (2023) dir. Charlotte Regan (note: Lulu was wrong, the lead actress’s name is actually Lola Campbell, not Lola Chambers) Aftersun (2022) dir. Charlotte Wells The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow Dune by Frank Herbert The Artful Dodger (2023), starring Thomas Brodie-Sangster, David Thewliss, and Maia Mitchell Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Saltburn (2023) dir. Emerald Fennell Do Revenge (2022) These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson “Patricia Highsmith” by Richard Brooks for the Guardian The Bourne Identity movies Nimona by N.D. Stevenson Sorry to Bother You (2018) dir. Boots Riley The Celluloid Closet (1995) dir. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman Hannibal (2013-2015) King Arthur: Legend of the Sword dir. Guy Ritchie Ripley (upcoming Netflix show) BBC Sherlock And Don’t Look Back by Rebecca Barrow All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley Content Warnings: discussions of antisemitism, racism, murder, violence, homophobia, gaslighting, suicide, and classism.

We’re back this week to talk about the latest Hunger Games movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Topics include our relationship with the famous dystopian franchise, how the movie compares to the book, why we find prequels and villain protagonists compelling, and a detour through Enlightenment philosophy. Other Media Mentioned: Hannibal (2013-2015) The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Gods of the Wyrdwood by R.J. Barker Anatomy of a Fall dir. Justine Triet A Murder at the End of the World (2023) True Detective: Night Country We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins Coriolanus by William Shakespeare West Side Story (2021) dir. Steven Spielberg Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes Second Treatise of Government by John Locke The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau Frankenstein by Mary Shelley “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac Wicked (2024) dir. John M. Chu Saltburn (2023) dir. Emerald Fennell  Content warnings: Discussions of death, violence, hanging, cannibalism and fascism

Happy belated New Year! We return fashionably late with a behemoth of an episode to discuss each of our top 10 books of 2023, a few extra superlatives (scariest book, anyone?), and some reading goals for 2024. Tune in for fantasy fiction, gothic literature, romance novels, unexpected favorites, and only a little bit of human sacrifice.    (Also, Lulu would like to mention that she forgot to mention Emily Carroll’s works when discussing graphic novels, but they’re all very creepy and amazing. Additionally, we ran out of time for her to discuss poetry, but Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey, The Renunciations by Donika Kelly, and Water & Salt by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha were her favorite books of poetry read last year.)   Content warnings: discussions of slavery (27:47-31:05), domestic abuse (31:06-33:08), and depression/suicidal ideation (58:18-1:03:18)

Our podcast is back, and we’re in our hater era! In this episode, we tackle the infamously divisive 2023 film Saltburn, a psychological thriller directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Barry Keoghan as Oliver Quick, an Oxford scholarship student invited to his wealthy friend’s summer estate, Saltburn, for a summer that takes a dark turn. (Spoiler alert: we didn't like it.) Topics discussed include the film’s muddled class commentary, our hatred of the film’s ending, and it’s intent to shock and upset the viewer.  Other Media Mentioned: Blue Eye Samurai (2023-) Starling House by Alix E. Harrow A Narrow Door by Joanne Harris The Holdovers (dir. Alexander Payne) Fingersmith by Sarah Waters Bellies by Nicola Dinan Promising Young Woman (dir. Emerald Fennell) The Eternals (dir. Chloe Zhao) The Banshees of Inisherin (dir. Martin McDonagh) Knives Out (dir. Rian Johnson) Parasite (dir. Bong Joon-ho) Can posh people write good slass satire? By Patrick Sproull for Dazed Romeo + Juliet (dir. Baz Luhrmann) Biting the Hand by Julia Lee Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris Temper by Layne Fargo They Never Learn by Layne Fargo Interview With the Vampire (2022–) Content Warnings: Discussions of drug overdose, suicide, murder, classism, racism, manipulation, and sexual assault   Also, not actually related to the content of this episode, but if you are an American listener, we would like to invite you to call your representatives and demand a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. 5calls.org makes it easy to do.  

We’re back for our first episode of the summer! In this one, we take a trip to post-Rome Britain to explore our fascination with a time period that is more myth than history. Going full history nerd, we take a look at three books set in Britain after the withdrawal of Roman imperial powers: Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott, Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve, and Sistersong by Lucy Holland. We discuss the possible origin of the King Arthur myth, queer medieval narratives, and the cultural diversity of Britain at this time–as well as wizards, warlords, and murder ballads.    Other Media Mentioned: Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Little Blue Encyclopedia for Vivian by Hazel Jane Plante The Thousand Eyes by A.K. Larkwood Bernard Cornwell’s books Spear by Nicola Griffith Perceval by Chretien de Troyes The Two Sisters by Steeleye Span On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain by Gildas History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth   Content Warnings: Discussions of war, death, and body horror   Also 1) apologies for the distant car horn in a few moments and 2) our discussion of Here Lies Arthur involves talking about some characters who present as different genders over the course of the story and so has some varying pronoun usage.

This week, we’ve got a guest on our podcast as author M.K. Lobb drops by to answer our questions about her young adult fantasy novel Seven Faceless Saints. Tune in to hear us discuss the real historical inspiration behind her fantasy world, the joys of writing angsty romance, and the importance of angry female characters.    Media mentioned These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong Keep This To Yourself by Tom Ryan I Hope You’re Listening by Tom Ryan Karen McManus (YA mystery author) The Queen’s Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo   Content warnings: discussions of war, PTSD, and murder

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the character of John Constantine, DC’s infamous dirtbag warlock. Beginning with his iconic Hellblazer comic and going on to discuss his many movie and TV appearances, we tackle some of his most iconic storylines, how various adaptations do or don’t work, and why we find one British magician’s poor life choices so compelling.    Media mentioned: Lockwood & Co. (Netflix show) The Last of Us (HBO show) The Legend of Vox Machina (TV show) Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott The Newsreader (TV show) Andor (TV show) The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson Kindred by Octavia Butler Sandman by Neil Gaiman DC Pride Anthology (2021) Constantine: The Hellblazer by James Tynion IV and Ming Doyle Hellblazer: Original Sins by Jamie Delano DC Bombshells by Marguerite Bennett Swamp Thing by Alan Moore Constantine: All His Engines by Mike Carey The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey Constantine: City of Demons The Sandman episode 3: “Dream a Little Dream of Me” Legends of Tomorrow   Content warnings: lung cancer, suicide, child abuse, homophobia, biphobia, racism

This week’s episode is a blast to the past as we delve into a new genre for this podcast: historical romance novels. Focusing on five novels–A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera, The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian, The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan, and The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite–we delve into how they fit into the overall genre while crafting individual love stories that stand out on their own. We discuss some of our favorite romance tropes and how these books subvert them or play them straight, as well as examining the historical contexts a bit. Plus: seances, heists, and Worcestershire sauce.   Other media mentioned AMC’s Interview With the Vampire A Restless Truth by Freya Marske Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Winter Be My Shield by Jo Spurrier The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik The Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert Bridgerton (TV show) Belle (2013 movie) “Why Are So Many Novels Set in the Regency Period?” by Jess Romeo for JSTOR Daily Jane Austen Georgette Heyer Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes Cat Sebastian   Content warnings: discussions of historical racism, sexism, colonialism, homophobia, and slavery, as well as two novels that deal with parental death