“Barbarian” is a Dark and Twisted Well of Terror
With a seemingly endless series of twists and turns, each as dark as the cavernous hallway at its center, Barbarian manages to be both a terrifying mystery and one of the most enjoyable cinematic experiences of the year....
“Orphan: First Kill” and the Birth of a Camp Classic
William Brent Bell's film is a blast, from start to finish; a surprisingly fun and bloody horror movie that throws our expectations to the wind....
“When I Consume You” is a Intimate Examination of Mental Illness
Perry Blackshear's third film is an intimate exploration of humanity set against the backdrop of urban folklore....
“Prey” Flips an Action Classic on Its Head
Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey is a majestic adventure that takes the well-loved franchise back 300 years....
Women, Wine, and Watching from the Window
The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window wears it’s inspirations on its sleeve. Directly spoofing both 2016’s The Girl on the Train and 2021’s The Woman in the Window, the Netflix series follows Anna (Kristen Bell), a troubled woman who drunkenly witnesses...
The Validation Game: Objectification in Birds of Prey and Assassination Nation
We don’t need men to like us and the approval we seek often destroys us. While Birds of Prey celebrates this freedom, Assassination Nation shows us why it’s necessary. ...
“Gunpowder Milkshake” is a Blood-Splattered Blueprint for an Action Matriarchy.
Sam (Karen Gillan) is an elite assassin working for a criminal operation known as The Firm. She’s on thin ice with her bosses and when she eschews her latest hit job to rescue 8 year old Emily (Chloe Coleman), she becomes the target of an army of male hitmen...
Evolution of a Final Girl
I love Final Girls. This term, coined by Carol Clover in her book Men, Women, and Chainsaws, describes the last character, usually female, left alive in a slasher film. Ever since watching Sidney Prescott in Scream, I’ve been enamored with these strong women and the many shapes they’ve taken...
I Am Laurie Strode: Trauma Touches Us All
Halloween was one of the most eagerly anticipated films of 2018. A direct sequel to the original 1978 film, it continues the story of Laurie Strode 40 years after her attack at the hands of Michael Myers. The announcement that Jaime Lee Curtis would be reprising her role only...
Mommie Dearest and the Dangerous Ideal of Motherhood
Mother’s Day is traditionally viewed as a joyous celebration. Filled with brunches, long-distance phone calls, and flowers, it’s a day to honor the women who gave us life, then sacrificed their own to raise us. But the reality is far more complicated. For many, the second Sunday in May...