Hello gorgeous!
I got a tattoo of a fly on my leg. Why? My flesh prison is a funhouse.
The artist (my sister!) also did my sexy Ghostface:
News:
A24 is continuing their One Night Only series. Wish it could be more days, but you could see X on June 18 with a Maxxxine preview and Midsommar in IMAX on the summer solstice. Check theaters near you for X and Pearl double features.
Coraline (2009) is coming to theaters in August.
Housekeeping:
🏳️🌈 Happy Pride to all! Horror is a genre that has always been run by and beloved by queer people. 🏳️🌈
A Disclaimer: Artificial intelligence has not and will not be a part of this newsletter in any way, shape, or form.
Watched:
The First Omen (2024) 3.5/5
Watched on Hulu
Touted as the best horror movie of the year so far, this Omen prequel follows orphaned Maggie as she enters an Italian convent to become a nun, only to find dangerous plans for her.
The Friends with Benefits/No Strings Attached of the horror world, this movie is shockingly similar in plot to Immaculate (review here); they share themes of religious dogmatism and consent around pregnancy.
To contrast: This one wins on the lighting front, with softness and warmth to more closely mimic ‘70’s films. Also visuals, for sure. Nell Tiger Free is given a script that allows her performance to yield a wider range than Sydney Sweeney’s, however, NTF’s wig was so bad I thought it was going to be a plot point.
I would call this one scary! There’s one scene that if I’d seen in theaters would’ve had me crawling out of my seat and there’s an homage to Isabelle Adjani’s shocking Possession (1981) subway scene.
For you if you love: Unhinged women, The Omen
In a Violent Nature (2024) 3.5/5
Saw in theaters
The most divisive horror film of the year so far, this is a Friday the 13th film on paper; a hulking, deformed, masked, mentally slow killer is disturbed from his resting spot to harass privileged sinning teens in the woods.
But it’s Trying to Do Something New; it’s got a slow pace, first-person shooter POV, and playful cinematography. I found myself confused on who the target audience is, because it’s not ““elevated”” horror fans and it’s not Jason Voorhees fans.
With the success of the Terrifier movies, we’re getting more gore-forward films, and there is one downright poetic mutilation of the body here.
Credits roll to Tracy Newman’s cover of the Canadian folk song, ‘Black Fly,’ as you sit with the film’s Message; cruelty begets cruelty/do not dare fuck with the wilderness and those who live in it.
For you if you love: Gore, My Bloody Valentine (1981)
Bug (2006) 4/5
Watched on Tubi
From William Friedkin who refuses to call this a horror movie, Bug is a dark tale of spiraling loneliness and shared paranoia. Based on Tracy Letts’ play, this keeps the theater vibe with the minimal cast, sets, and budget with a focus on that wild dialogue.
For you if you love: Requiem for a Dream, Cinema of despair
Jigoku (1960) 3.5/5
Rented from the Library
Also known as The Sinners From Hell, the production company went bankrupt during filming, so the extras helped the crew make the Inferno sets for the last third of the movie. Now it’s a Criterion.
Amazing 1960’s vibes, especially in the pulpy opening credits, but the plot takes too long to get to that flashy hell sequence.
For you if you love: 1960’s Aesthetics, Hell
High Tension (2003) 3/5
Watched on Tubi
I guessed the twist out of sheer stupidity.
Sometimes lumped into the brutal & transgressive New French Extremity movement, the violence is brutal, but there’s nothing transgressive here.
For you if you love: Bad lesbian representation, slashers
Godzilla Minus One (2023) 4/5
Watched on Netflix
Big hell yeah!!! Heartwarming post-WWII story about the value of human life with a spectacular monster design.
For you if you love: Godzilla, Dramas
Read
The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
A quick ’n’ dirty read.
Pleasure is the heightening of the senses, no? How is that different than pain?
For you if you love: Hellraiser, Goosebumps books
Next week: Something Gay?!
xo,
jwk dla sfnd fdh crushed to death jd kflsa fbh erl f fdnklsaf allie lembo dfhjkflafd daf crus krispy kreme
Bug!!!